The number ninety-eight appears in the Bible in the context of genealogies and historical records, reflecting the meticulous nature of biblical record-keeping. While not as frequently mentioned as other numbers, it holds significance in the context in which it appears.

Biblical Reference:

1. 1 Samuel 4:15 · "Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were so dim that he could not see."

In this passage, the age of Eli, the high priest of Israel, is given as ninety-eight years old at the time of his death. Eli's advanced age is highlighted to emphasize the length of his service and the decline in his physical abilities, particularly his eyesight. This detail sets the stage for the tragic events that follow, including the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines and the death of Eli upon hearing the news. Eli's age underscores the transition from his leadership to the rise of Samuel as a prophet and judge in Israel.

Symbolic and Theological Implications:

The mention of Eli's age at ninety-eight serves as a reminder of the human condition and the inevitability of aging and mortality. It also reflects the biblical theme of the consequences of leadership failures. Eli's inability to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, from their corrupt practices led to divine judgment upon his house. His age at the time of his death marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history under Samuel's guidance.

Historical Context:

Eli's tenure as a judge and priest occurred during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by internal corruption and external threats. The Philistine oppression and the moral decline within the priesthood are significant themes in the narrative. Eli's age at ninety-eight highlights the longevity of his service but also the need for renewal and reform, which would come through Samuel's leadership.

Numerical Significance:

While the number ninety-eight does not carry specific symbolic meaning in biblical numerology, its use in the context of Eli's age serves a narrative purpose. It provides a precise historical detail that adds to the authenticity of the biblical account and emphasizes the gravity of the events surrounding Eli's death.

In summary, the number ninety-eight in the Bible is primarily associated with the age of Eli, the high priest, at the time of his death. It serves as a narrative device to highlight the transition in leadership and the consequences of failing to uphold God's standards.8673. tishim -- ninety
... Origin from the same as tesha Definition ninety NASB Word Usage 1,290* (1), 392*
(2), 690* (1), 95* (2), 96* (1), 98* (2), ninety (5), ninety-eight* (1), ninety ...
/hebrew/8673.htm - 6k

8083. shemoneh -- eight (a cardinal number)
... 1), 822* (1), 832* (1), 845* (1), 928* (1), 98* (2), eight (36), eighteen* (8),
eighteenth* (11), eighth (3), forty-eight* (2), ninety-eight* (1), thirty-eight ...
/hebrew/8083.htm - 6k

The Release of Saint George.
... "But, behold the signs of his cruelty!" said Saint David, pointing out to Saint
George the other nine hundred and ninety-eight iron beds in the hall. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eleven the release of.htm

American Board of Foreign Missions.
... were nine physicians not preachers, thirteen teachers, twelve printers and bookbinders,
and twelve other male and one hundred and ninety-eight female assistant ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american board of foreign missions.htm

Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who ...
... tiresome to manage. "Ninety-eight per cent, of our children do well, and for
the two per cent, we do the best we can. If any circumstance ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter ix questions and answerssorrowful.htm

Death of Eli and his Sons.
... Eli, who was then ninety-eight years old, and nearly blind, sat by the wayside,
trembling for the safety of the ark, and waiting for messengers to bring news ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/death of eli and his.htm

Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople, when at the Point of Death ...
... in that city, and had strenuously opposed Arius, departed this life, [265] having
occupied the bishopric for twenty-three years and lived ninety-eight years in ...
/.../chapter vi alexander bishop of constantinople.htm

Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, and Macedonius, the ...
... [1216] For when Alexander, who was ninety-eight years of age, and who had conducted
the episcopal office vigorously for twenty-three years, was at the point of ...
/.../chapter iii paul bishop of constantinople.htm

Herein is Declared what Befell the Sons of Eli, the Ark, and the ...
... at it, because it fell out quite differently from what he expected; so he fell down
from his throne and died, having in all lived ninety-eight years, and of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 herein is declared.htm

Bakewell
... his justly famous and much-admired hymn, "The God of Abraham praise." He was an
eminently useful man, and lived to a ripe old age, being ninety-eight years old ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/bakewell.htm

The Articles of the Reformed Episcopal Church. AD 1875.
... It numbers now (1884) ten bishops, ninety-eight presbyters, and about as many
congregations in the United States, Canada, British Columbia, Bermuda Islands ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 86 the articles of.htm

Christian Churches.
... old Roman style; the channel is four feet nine inches high, three feet three inches
wide, and runs through the clay of the hill at a depth of ninety-eight feet ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iii christian churches.htm

Ninety-eight (3 Occurrences)
Ninety-eight. Ninety, Ninety-eight. Ninety-five . Multi-Version
Concordance Ninety-eight (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 4 ...
/n/ninety-eight.htm - 7k

Ninety (27 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that
he could not see. ... Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. ...
/n/ninety.htm - 15k

98 (2 Occurrences)
... 98 (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
(See NAS NIV). Nehemiah 7:21 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. ...
/num/98.htm - 6k

Eight (81 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that
he could not see. ... Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. ...
/e/eight.htm - 31k

Namely (81 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. (See RSV). ...
(See RSV). Nehemiah 7:21 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. ...
/n/namely.htm - 31k

Ninety-five (4 Occurrences)
Ninety-five. Ninety-eight, Ninety-five. Ninety-nine . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY RSV). Ninety-eight, Ninety-five. Ninety-nine . Reference Bible
/n/ninety-five.htm - 7k

Eli (36 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was
ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see. ...
/e/eli.htm - 24k

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. (WEB ... Nehemiah
7:21 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. (WEB ...
/h/hezekiah.htm - 72k

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