Topical Encyclopedia Biblical Significance and Symbolism:The number fifty holds significant symbolic and practical importance in the Bible, often representing a period of completion, liberation, or celebration. It is frequently associated with the concept of jubilee and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jubilee Year: The most prominent biblical reference to the number fifty is the Year of Jubilee, which occurs every fiftieth year. According to Leviticus 25:10 , "And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you is to return to his property and each of you to his clan." The Jubilee Year was a time of economic and social reset, where debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was returned to its original owners. This practice underscored themes of redemption, rest, and restoration. Pentecost: The Feast of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, occurs fifty days after the Passover. It is a significant event in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, it was a harvest festival, as described in Leviticus 23:16 : "You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD." In the New Testament, Pentecost marks the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel. Acts 2:1-4 describes this event: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Military and Census: The number fifty also appears in contexts related to military organization and census. In Numbers 1:3 , God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelites: "You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army." While the specific number fifty is not mentioned in this verse, the organization of troops often involved groups of fifty, as seen in other passages such as 2 Kings 1:9-14, where groups of fifty soldiers are sent to capture the prophet Elijah. Judgment and Mercy: In Genesis 18:24-26 , the number fifty is part of Abraham's intercession for Sodom. Abraham asks God if He would spare the city if fifty righteous people were found there. The passage reads: "Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city. Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are there? Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" The LORD replied, "If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Construction and Measurements: The number fifty is also used in the context of construction and measurements. In the building of the Tabernacle, Exodus 26:5 specifies, "Make fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain in the other set." This precise use of fifty in the construction of sacred spaces highlights the importance of order and divine instruction in worship. Conclusion: The number fifty in the Bible is rich with meaning, often symbolizing freedom, divine intervention, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Whether in the context of the Jubilee, Pentecost, or other biblical narratives, fifty serves as a reminder of God's provision and the hope of renewal. Concordance 50 (3 Occurrences)1 Kings 7:2 Nehemiah 7:70 Ezekiel 45:2 Thesaurus 50 (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance 50 (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 7:2 For he built the house of the forest of Lebanon; its length was one hundred ... /num/50.htm - 7k Measures (50 Occurrences) Ornaments (50 Occurrences) Teeth (50 Occurrences) Maintain (50 Occurrences) Lions (50 Occurrences) Godly (50 Occurrences) Clay (50 Occurrences) Exult (50 Occurrences) Crush (50 Occurrences) Resources Why did God restrict the age that a priest could serve (Numbers 8:24 26)? | GotQuestions.orgIs God imaginary? | GotQuestions.org Is the divorce rate among Christians truly the same as among non-Christians? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |