The number thirty-six appears in the Bible in various contexts, often symbolizing completeness or judgment. It is a composite number, being the product of six and six, which can signify imperfection or human weakness when compared to the divine number seven. In biblical narratives, numbers often carry symbolic meanings, and thirty-six is no exception.

Achan's Sin and the Defeat at Ai

One of the most notable occurrences of the number thirty-six is found in the Book of Joshua. After the Israelites' victory at Jericho, they faced a surprising defeat at Ai. This defeat was attributed to the sin of Achan, who had taken forbidden items from Jericho, violating God's command. As a result, God's favor was withdrawn, and the Israelites suffered a setback. The Bible records that "about thirty-six men were killed" (Joshua 7:5) during this defeat. This incident underscores the seriousness of disobedience to God's commands and the communal consequences of individual sin.

Symbolism and Interpretation

In biblical numerology, the number thirty-six can be seen as a symbol of human frailty and the consequences of sin. The defeat at Ai, resulting in the death of thirty-six men, serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. It highlights the theme that even a small act of disobedience can lead to significant repercussions for the community.

Other References

While the number thirty-six does not appear frequently in the Bible, its occurrences are significant in the context of the narratives in which it is found. The number may also be seen in genealogical records or lists, where it serves a more practical purpose in the text.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the number thirty-six in the context of Achan's sin and the defeat at Ai illustrates the holiness of God and the necessity of purity among His people. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of covetousness and the importance of communal integrity. The narrative encourages believers to examine their own lives for hidden sins that might hinder their relationship with God and the community of faith.

In summary, the number thirty-six in the Bible, particularly in the account of Achan, serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for obedience to God's commands. It reflects the broader biblical themes of judgment, repentance, and restoration.8337a. shesh -- six (a cardinal number)
... 1), 8,600* (1), 956* (1), 96* (1), ninety-six* (1), six (104), six things (1), sixteen*
(18), sixteenth* (3), sixth (1), sixty-six* (2), thirty-six* (1), thirty ...
/hebrew/8337a.htm - 6k

7970. sheloshim -- thirty
... 1), thirty-five* (4), thirty-four* (1), thirty-ninth* (3), thirty-one* (3),
thirty-second* (2), thirty-seven* (4), thirty-seventh* (3), thirty-six* (1), thirty ...
/hebrew/7970.htm - 6k

Do You Need Patience?
... TALK THIRTY-SIX. DO YOU NEED PATIENCE? Have you not often heard people say, "My
greatest need is more patience"? Possibly you feel just that way yourself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-six do you need.htm

Why it is Called Quadragesima, when the Fast is Only Kept for ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XXVIII. Why it is called
Quadragesima, when the fast is only kept for thirty-six days. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxviii why it is.htm

The Three Days of the Resurrection, in which Also the Ratio of ...
... makes forty. But from the evening of the burial to the dawn of the resurrection
are thirty-six hours which is six squared. And this ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 the three days of.htm

The Life of Isaac Watts, DD
... who received him into his house; where with a constancy of friendship and uniformity
of conduct not often to be found, he was treated for thirty-six years with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/the life of isaac watts.htm

The Answer to the Effect that the Fast of Lent Has Reference to ...
... Lent. For the tithe of the number of all the days included in the revolving
circle of the year is thirty-six days and a half. But ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxv the answer to.htm

Having Said This, when they had Kissed Him...
... 22 that the letter was written thirty-six years after the Nicene Synod,
ie in 361. But it was certainly written before the arrival ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 92.htm

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
... Sacrifice Part Thirty-Three: Of the Term "Mass" Part Thirty-Four:Of the Mass for
the Dead Part Thirty-Five: Of Monastic Vows Part Thirty-Six: Of Ecclesiatical ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/title page.htm

Heart Talks
... TALK THIRTY-FOUR. IN CHRIST AND IN EPHESUS. TALK THIRTY-FIVE. THE PRACTICAL SIDE
OF RELIGION. TALK THIRTY-SIX. DO YOU NEED PATIENCE? TALK THIRTY-SEVEN. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/

American Board of Foreign Missions.
... The number of the missions in 1841 was twenty-six; stations, eighty-five; and ordained
missionaries, one hundred and thirty-six, ten of whom were physicians. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american board of foreign missions.htm

After This, Pilate Going into the Temple of the Jews...
... After searching, we find that from the burning of the temple to the advent of Christ,
and His birth, there are six hundred and thirty-six [2001] years, which ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 12 28 after this.htm

Thirty-six (7 Occurrences)
Thirty-six. Thirty-seventh, Thirty-six. Thirty-sixth . Multi-Version
Concordance Thirty-six (7 Occurrences). Numbers ...
/t/thirty-six.htm - 8k

36000 (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 36000 (2 Occurrences). Numbers 31:38 The cattle were
thirty-six thousand; of which Yahweh's tribute was seventy-two. (See NAS). ...
/num/36000.htm - 6k

245 (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 245 (3 Occurrences). Ezra 2:66 Their horses were seven
hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five; (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/245.htm - 7k

736 (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 736 (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:66 Their horses were seven
hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five; (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/736.htm - 6k

Forty-five (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE DBY RSV). Ezra 2:66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their
mules, two hundred forty-five; (WEB BBE DBY RSV). Nehemiah ...
/f/forty-five.htm - 10k

Transport (18 Occurrences)
... keepers. (BBE). Ezra 2:66 They had seven hundred and thirty-six horses,
two hundred and forty-five transport beasts, (BBE). Ezra 3 ...
/t/transport.htm - 12k

Mules (14 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred
forty-five; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/mules.htm - 11k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... The result was that a party was conducted in 1881 to Dier el-Bahari, near Thebes,
when the wonderful discovery was made of thirty-six mummies of kings, queens ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

Thirty (189 Occurrences)
... Numbers 31:38 The cattle were thirty-six thousand; of which Yahweh's tribute
was seventy-two. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/t/thirty.htm - 39k

Six (198 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). Numbers 31:38 The cattle were
thirty-six thousand; of which Yahweh's tribute was seventy-two. ...
/s/six.htm - 38k

Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God judge the sin of Achan so severely? | GotQuestions.org

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