The number ninety-nine holds particular significance in the Bible, primarily in the context of Jesus' parable of the lost sheep. This parable is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, where Jesus uses the number to illustrate God's love and concern for each individual.

Parable of the Lost Sheep

In Matthew 18:12-14 , Jesus tells the parable: "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish."

Similarly, in Luke 15:3-7 , the parable is recounted: "Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!" In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.'"

Theological Significance

The number ninety-nine in this context emphasizes the completeness and security of the flock, yet it also highlights the shepherd's willingness to seek out the one that is lost. This reflects the heart of God, who values each individual soul and rejoices in their repentance and return to Him. The ninety-nine represent those who are already in the fold, secure in their relationship with God, while the one lost sheep symbolizes those who have strayed or are outside the faith.

Symbolism and Interpretation

From a symbolic perspective, the ninety-nine can be seen as representing the faithful community or the church, which remains steadfast and secure. The shepherd's action of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep underscores the personal nature of God's love and His desire for all to be saved. This parable is often interpreted as a call to the church to reach out to the lost and to prioritize evangelism and reconciliation.

Application in Christian Life

In practical terms, the parable of the lost sheep, with its focus on the ninety-nine, serves as a reminder to believers of the importance of compassion and outreach. It challenges Christians to reflect God's love by seeking out those who are lost or marginalized and to rejoice in their return to the fold. The number ninety-nine, therefore, becomes a symbol of the community of believers who are called to support and participate in God's redemptive mission.1768. ennenekontaennea -- ninety-nine.
... 1767, 1768. ennenekontaennea. 1769 . ninety-nine. ... ninety-nine. From a (tenth)
multiple of ennea and ennea itself; ninety-nine -- ninety and nine. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1768.htm - 6k

1752b. enenekonta -- ninety
... 1752a, 1752b. enenekonta. 1753 . ninety. Transliteration: enenekonta
Short Definition: ninety-nine. Word Origin from ennea and a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1752b.htm - 5k

1767. ennea -- nine
... Word Origin a primary number Definition nine NASB Word Usage nine (1), ninety-nine*
(4). nine. A primary number; nine -- nine. (ennea) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1767.htm - 6k

8673. tishim -- ninety
... ninety NASB Word Usage 1,290* (1), 392* (2), 690* (1), 95* (2), 96* (1), 98* (2),
ninety (5), ninety-eight* (1), ninety-five* (2), ninety-nine* (2), ninety-six ...
/hebrew/8673.htm - 6k

8672. tesha -- a nine
... 1), 59,300* (2), 928* (1), 945* (1), 956* (1), 973* (2), forty-nine* (1), nine
(21), nine-tenths (1), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), ninety-nine* (2), ninth ( ...
/hebrew/8672.htm - 6k

The System of Marcus Shown to be that of Pythagoras, by Quotations ...
... is multiplied into nine, that it produces the number ninety and nine; and on this
account that it is said that the word Amen embraces the number ninety-nine. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlvii the system of marcus.htm

Absurd Interpretations of the Marcosians.
... viz., nine, as respects the pieces of money, and eleven in regard to the sheep,
[2868] when multiplied together, give birth to the number ninety-nine, for nine ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi absurd interpretations of the.htm

And There came unto Him Publicans and Sinners to Hear his Word. .. ...
... murmuring, spake unto them [4] this parable: [1810] What man of you, having an hundred
sheep, if one of them were lost, would not leave the ninety-nine in the ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxvi and there came.htm

La Brea
... It covers ninety-nine acres, and contains millions of tons of so- called
pitch. Its first discoverers, of course, were not bound ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Balaam
... The man who knew that, knew more than ninety-nine in a hundred do even in a Christian
country now, and more than nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand nine ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiv balaam.htm

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
... by wandering into sin. The shepherd, on looking over his little flock of
one hundred, can only count ninety-nine. He counts them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/the parable of the lost.htm

God's Love Even for Sinners
... sinners and even eats with them!" So he told them this story: "What man of you,
if he has a hundred sheep and loses one, does not leave the ninety-nine in the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/gods love even for sinners.htm

How Abram Fought with the Assyrians, and Overcame Them, and Saved ...
... 5. The forementioned son was born to Abram when he was eighty-six years old: but
when he was ninety-nine, God appeared to him, and promised him that he Should ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how abram fought.htm

"Come Thou and all Thy House into the Ark. "
... ours do. We think ninety-nine years a long time, but I don't doubt but that
theirs ran for nine hundred and ninety nine years. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/come thou and all thy.htm

Low Beetling Brows, -- a Sensual, Cruel Mouth with a Loosely ...
... One of our English bishops has been latterly deploring the fact that out of a thousand
lads in a certain parish nine-hundred-and-ninety- nine of them never go ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ix low beetling brows .htm

Ninety-nine (6 Occurrences)
Ninety-nine. Ninety-five, Ninety-nine. Ninety-six . Multi-Version Concordance
Ninety-nine (6 Occurrences). Matthew 18:12 "What do you think? ...
/n/ninety-nine.htm - 8k

Nine (55 Occurrences)
... If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the
ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? ...
/n/nine.htm - 22k

Ninety (27 Occurrences)
... If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the
ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? ...
/n/ninety.htm - 15k

Gets (122 Occurrences)
... Suppose a man gets a hundred sheep and one of them strays away, will he not leave
the ninety-nine on the hills and go and look for the one that is straying? ...
/g/gets.htm - 33k

Wandering (120 Occurrences)
... if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away, will he not
let the ninety-nine be, and go to the mountains in search of the wandering ...
/w/wandering.htm - 37k

Finds (71 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Matthew 18:13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over
it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. (WEB NAS RSV NIV) ...
/f/finds.htm - 24k

Astray (116 Occurrences)
... If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the
ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? ...
/a/astray.htm - 36k

Blameless (81 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven over
one repentant sinner--more rejoicing than over ninety-nine blameless persons ...
/b/blameless.htm - 27k

Search (186 Occurrences)
... if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away, will he not
let the ninety-nine be, and go to the mountains in search of the wandering ...
/s/search.htm - 43k

Goes (472 Occurrences)
... If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the
ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? (WEB). ...
/g/goes.htm - 35k

What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? | GotQuestions.org

Is God's love reckless? | GotQuestions.org

Why would God leave the 99 to find 1? | GotQuestions.org

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