The number eighty-six does not appear explicitly in the biblical text as a significant number, nor is it directly associated with any particular event or teaching in the Bible. However, numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings or are used in genealogies, measurements, and other contexts that can provide deeper insights into biblical narratives and teachings.

Numerical Significance

In biblical numerology, numbers often have symbolic meanings. While the number eighty-six itself is not directly mentioned, it can be broken down into its components: eighty and six. The number eighty is often associated with strength and endurance, as seen in the lifespan of individuals or periods of time. For example, Moses was eighty years old when he confronted Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7). The number six is often associated with humanity and imperfection, as man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31).

Genealogical Context

In genealogical records, numbers are significant in tracing lineages and understanding the passage of time. While the number eighty-six does not appear in a specific genealogy, the use of numbers in genealogies serves to underscore the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises through generations. For instance, the genealogies in Genesis and Chronicles meticulously record ages and descendants, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant with His people.

Symbolic Interpretation

From a symbolic perspective, the combination of eighty and six could be interpreted as a period of human strength and effort, yet marked by the imperfection inherent in humanity. This aligns with the biblical theme that human strength is ultimately insufficient without reliance on God. The Apostle Paul reflects on human weakness and divine strength in 2 Corinthians 12:9 : "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'"

Historical and Cultural Context

In the broader historical and cultural context of the Bible, numbers often held significance in ancient Near Eastern cultures. While the Bible does not explicitly assign a specific meaning to eighty-six, understanding the cultural importance of numbers can enhance our appreciation of biblical texts. Numbers were used in various ways, including in the structuring of texts, to convey theological truths, or to emphasize particular aspects of God's character and His dealings with humanity.

Conclusion

While the number eighty-six does not have a direct biblical reference, its components and the broader use of numbers in Scripture can offer insights into biblical themes of human strength, imperfection, and the necessity of divine grace. As with all numbers in the Bible, it is important to consider the context and the message being conveyed through their use.8084. shemonim -- an eighty
... 2), 284* (1), 288* (1), 8,580* (1), 80 (2), 80,000* (3), 87,000* (1), eightieth
(1), eighty (11), eighty-five (2), eighty-seven (1), eighty-six (1), eighty ...
/hebrew/8084.htm - 6k

Episcopal Missions.
... The expenditures of this Board, for the year 1841, were sixty-one thousand
five hundred and eighty-six dollars and thirty-seven cents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/episcopal missions.htm

The Last Year of the Journal
... For above eighty-six years, I found none of the infirmities of old age; my
eyes did not wax dim, neither was my natural strength abated. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the last year of the.htm

Baptism.
... If he was eighty-six at the time of his death, he must have been about
threescore and ten when Justin Martyr made this announcement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii baptism.htm

Introduction
... little known out of his church. Wesley at eighty-six could still preach on
the streets for thirty minutes. Bounds was able at seventy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/introduction.htm

Drunkenness.
... and eighty-one inhabitants; but among the temperate portion there was only one case
to each two thousand." "Of three hundred and eighty-six persons connected ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/ii drunkenness.htm

Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society.
... at home. It employs six agents and missionaries. Its receipts for 1838
were one hundred and eighty-six dollars. The Seventh-Day ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/seventh-day baptist missionary society.htm

Early Christianity in Other Parts of These Islands. --Ninian in ...
... There are eighty-six dioceses in modern France, and there are in all no
less than 3,668 churches dedicated to St. Martin. There ...
/.../lecture iii early christianity in.htm

Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux
... THE LETTERS OF S. BERNARD. VOL. III. -- LETTERS AND SERMONS. VOL. IV. -- CANTICA
CANTICORUM. EIGHTY-SIX SERMONS ON. THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 7s.6d. each Vol. ...
/.../bernard/some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/title page.htm

Introduction
... INTRODUCTION. At the time of his martyrdom, Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna,
confessed that he had been a Christian for eighty-six years. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 3.htm

Richard Misyn
... Rolle had died eighty-six years before, in 1349, but two of his miracles are dated
and are as late as 1381 and 1383, so there is little reason to doubt that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/richard misyn.htm

Eighty-six (2 Occurrences)
Eighty-six. Eighty-seven, Eighty-six. Eighty-three . Multi-Version
Concordance Eighty-six (2 Occurrences). Genesis 16 ...
/e/eighty-six.htm - 7k

Eighty (36 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Genesis 16:16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael
to Abram. (WEB BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis ...
/e/eighty.htm - 17k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... Obedient to the heavenly vision Hagar returned, as the narrative implies, to her
mistress and gave birth to Ishmael, Abram being then eighty-six years old. ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Six (198 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 16:16 Abram was
eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. (WEB ...
/s/six.htm - 38k

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)
... He was born at Mamre, when Abraham was eighty-six years of age, eleven years after
his arrival in Canaan (16:3; 21:5). At the age of thirteen he was ...
/i/ishmael.htm - 38k

186400 (1 Occurrence)
... 186400 (1 Occurrence). Numbers 2:9 All who were numbered of the camp of Judah were
one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. ...
/num/186400.htm - 6k

186 (1 Occurrence)
... 186 (1 Occurrence). Numbers 2:9 All who were numbered of the camp of Judah were
one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. ...
/num/186.htm - 6k

Total (16 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Numbers 2:9 All who were numbered of the camp of Judah were one hundred
eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. ...
/t/total.htm - 11k

Eighty-seven (2 Occurrences)
Eighty-seven. Eighty-four, Eighty-seven. Eighty-six . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY RSV). Eighty-four, Eighty-seven. Eighty-six . Reference Bible
/e/eighty-seven.htm - 7k

Eighty-three (1 Occurrence)
Eighty-three. Eighty-six, Eighty-three. Eighty-two . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). Eighty-six, Eighty-three. Eighty-two . ...
/e/eighty-three.htm - 6k

How old was Noah when he died? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Polycarp? | GotQuestions.org

What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.org

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