Biblical Significance:

The number thirteen appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with themes of rebellion, judgment, and transition. While not as frequently mentioned as other numbers, its occurrences carry significant theological implications.

Occurrences in Scripture:

1. Genesis 14:4 · "For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled." This passage marks the first mention of the number thirteen in the Bible. The rebellion of the kings against Chedorlaomer in the thirteenth year signifies a break from subjugation and the onset of conflict, highlighting the number's association with rebellion and upheaval.

2. Genesis 17:25 · "And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised." Ishmael's circumcision at thirteen years old is significant in the context of the Abrahamic covenant. It marks a transition in Ishmael's life and signifies his inclusion in the covenant community, albeit later superseded by Isaac as the child of promise.

3. 1 Kings 7:1 · "Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace." The construction of Solomon's palace taking thirteen years contrasts with the seven years it took to build the temple (1 Kings 6:38). This disparity may reflect the human tendency to prioritize personal endeavors over divine ones, a subtle reminder of the need for balance in devotion and duty.

Symbolic Interpretations:

In biblical numerology, thirteen is often seen as a number of rebellion and lawlessness. This interpretation is derived from its association with events that disrupt order or signify a departure from divine instruction. The rebellion of the kings in Genesis 14 and the transition in Ishmael's life both underscore this theme.

Theological Reflections:

The number thirteen serves as a reminder of the human propensity to rebel against divine authority. It calls believers to reflect on their own lives, examining areas where they may be resisting God's will. Additionally, the number's presence in the context of covenant and construction invites contemplation on the priorities and commitments of one's spiritual journey.

Conclusion:

While the number thirteen is not as prominent as other biblical numbers, its occurrences are rich with meaning. It challenges believers to consider the implications of rebellion and the importance of aligning personal ambitions with divine purposes.1. (a.) One more than twelve; ten and three; as, thirteen ounces or pounds.

2. (n.) The number greater by one than twelve; the sum of ten and three; thirteen units or objects.

3. (n.) A symbol representing thirteen units, as 13 or xiii.

THIRTEEN; THIRTY

thur'-ten, thur-ten', thur'-ti.

See NUMBER.

7969. shalosh -- a three, triad
... 3), 59,300* (2), 603,550* (2), 623* (1), 64,300* (1), 7,337* (2), 743* (2), 973*
(2), forks* (1), oftentimes* (1), third (11), thirteen* (12), thirteenth* (11 ...
/hebrew/7969.htm - 7k

2608. Chananyah -- "Yah has been gracious," the name of a number ...
... Hananiah Or Chananyahuw {khan-an-yaw'-hoo}; from chanan and Yahh; Jah has favored;
Chananjah, the name of thirteen Israelites -- Hananiah. see HEBREW chanan. ...
/hebrew/2608.htm - 5k

6240. asar -- ten
... fourteen* (17), fourteenth* (23), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), seventeen* (5),
seventeenth* (6), sixteen* (18), sixteenth* (3), thirteen* (12), thirteenth ...
/hebrew/6240.htm - 6k

5662. Obadyah -- "servant of Yah," the name of a number of Isr.
... Obadiah. Or mobadyahuw {o-bad-yaw'-hoo}; active participle of abad and Yahh; serving
Jah; Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites -- Obadiah. see HEBREW abad. ...
/hebrew/5662.htm - 6k

Chapter thirteen
... Chapter Thirteen. When the bell rang for tea she went down and her grandmother
did not appear. She sent a servant to her room who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter thirteen.htm

Of the Aureoles (Thirteen Articles)
... OF THE AUREOLES (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). In the next place we must consider the aureoles.
Under this head there are thirteen points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of the aureoles thirteen articles.htm

Of the Intellectual Powers (Thirteen Articles)
... OF THE INTELLECTUAL POWERS (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). The next question concerns the
intellectual powers, under which head there are thirteen points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of the intellectual powers thirteen.htm

Of the Order of Charity (Thirteen Articles)
... OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). We must now consider the order of
charity, under which head there are thirteen points of inquiry: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the order of charity.htm

How God is Known by us (Thirteen Articles)
... HOW GOD IS KNOWN BY US (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). As hitherto we have considered
God as He is in Himself, we now go on to consider in what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/how god is known by.htm

This Treatise Contains Thirteen Chapters. The Following is a Brief
... THE DIVINE NAMES This Treatise contains thirteen chapters. The following is
a brief. summary of their contents. Chapter I. Introductory. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/this treatise contains thirteen chapters.htm

Question one Hundred and Thirteen the Effects of Grace
... Question One Hundred and Thirteen THE EFFECTS OF GRACE. THE EFFECTS OF GRACE
We must now inquire into the effects of grace. We shall ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question one hundred and thirteen.htm

The Living Word
... Nicolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig the Singer of Pentecost Chapter Thirteen
The Living Word. Grundtvig began his ministry in the ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter thirteen the living word.htm

Verbal Inspiration
... Chapter Thirteen Verbal Inspiration. Not only does the Bible claim to be
a Divine revelation but it also asserts that its original ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter thirteen verbal inspiration .htm

Pilgrims of the Victorious Life
... CHAPTER THIRTEEN PILGRIMS OF THE VICTORIOUS LIFE. PILGRIMS OF THE VICTORIOUS
LIFE Please tell me, will you, if a really victorious ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter thirteen pilgrims of the.htm

Thirteen (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) One more than twelve; ten and three; as, thirteen ounces or pounds. ... 3.
(n.) A symbol representing thirteen units, as 13 or xiii. Int. ...
/t/thirteen.htm - 12k

Thirteenth (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after
the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month. ...
/t/thirteenth.htm - 11k

Fringes (4 Occurrences)
... Thus in the tsitsith a long cord is wrapped around seven shorter cords first seven
times, then eight, then eleven, and finally thirteen, each series being ...
/f/fringes.htm - 10k

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Joshua 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests,
were thirteen cities with their suburbs. (See NIV). ...
/p/pasturelands.htm - 16k

Gershon (23 Occurrences)
... The Gershonites were given two wagons with four oxen-half as many as the Merarites,
according to their service (Numbers 7:7). Thirteen cities were assigned to ...
/g/gershon.htm - 16k

Allotted (54 Occurrences)
... The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by
lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of ...
/a/allotted.htm - 22k

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron,
the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT) ...
/s/suburbs.htm - 29k

Temple (614 Occurrences)
... nations. These two courts were separated by a low wall, as Josephus states,
some 4 1/2 feet high, with thirteen openings. Along ...
/t/temple.htm - 101k

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)
... The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by
lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of ...
/k/kohathite.htm - 12k

Grass-lands (42 Occurrences)
... four towns. (BBE). Joshua 21:19 Thirteen towns with their grass-lands were
given to the children of Aaron, the priests. (BBE). Joshua ...
/g/grass-lands.htm - 17k

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