The term "thirty-sixth" in the context of the Bible often refers to the ordinal number associated with sequences, genealogies, or specific years in the reigns of kings. While the number itself does not hold a specific symbolic meaning in biblical numerology, it appears in various contexts that contribute to the historical and theological narrative of the Scriptures.

1. Reign of Asa, King of Judah:

One of the most notable mentions of the thirty-sixth year is found in the account of King Asa of Judah. Asa was the third king of the Kingdom of Judah and is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to rid the land of idolatry. The thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign is significant due to a pivotal event recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:1:

"In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah."

This event marks a critical moment in Asa's reign, as it led to his reliance on the king of Aram rather than seeking the Lord's help, which was a departure from his earlier faithfulness. Asa's alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, to counter Baasha's aggression is detailed in the subsequent verses, highlighting a turning point in his reliance on God.

2. Asa's Illness and Death:

The latter part of Asa's reign is also marked by his illness, which began in his thirty-ninth year. Although not directly related to the thirty-sixth year, it is part of the narrative that follows the events of that year. Asa's reliance on physicians rather than seeking the Lord is noted in 2 Chronicles 16:12-13:

"In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians. So in the forty-first year of his reign, Asa died and rested with his fathers."

3. Symbolic and Theological Implications:

While the number thirty-six itself does not carry inherent symbolic meaning, the events of Asa's thirty-sixth year serve as a theological lesson on the importance of faithfulness and reliance on God. Asa's initial reforms and dedication to God brought peace and prosperity to Judah, but his later actions demonstrate the consequences of turning away from divine reliance.

4. Broader Biblical Context:

In the broader biblical context, numbers often carry symbolic weight, though thirty-six is not as prominent as numbers like seven, twelve, or forty. However, the use of specific years and numbers in the biblical narrative often serves to anchor events in history, providing a framework for understanding the unfolding of God's plan through the lives of His people.

The account of Asa's thirty-sixth year is a reminder of the importance of steadfast faith and the dangers of relying on human alliances and wisdom over divine guidance. It underscores the biblical theme of trust in God as the ultimate source of strength and deliverance.7970. sheloshim -- thirty
... 4), thirty-four* (1), thirty-ninth* (3), thirty-one* (3), thirty-second* (2),
thirty-seven* (4), thirty-seventh* (3), thirty-six* (1), thirty-sixth* (1), thirty ...
/hebrew/7970.htm - 6k

8337a. shesh -- six (a cardinal number)
... 1), 96* (1), ninety-six* (1), six (104), six things (1), sixteen* (18), sixteenth*
(3), sixth (1), sixty-six* (2), thirty-six* (1), thirty-sixth* (1), twenty ...
/hebrew/8337a.htm - 6k

The Thirty-Sixth Chapter: the Vain Judgments of Men
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Thirty-Sixth Chapter: The Vain Judgments
of Men. The Voice of Christ MY CHILD, trust firmly ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the thirty-sixth chapter the vain.htm

Origen's Daring Deed.
... Caracalla (Armen. fourth year), and calling him the thirty-fifth bishop
of Jerusalem (Armen. thirty-sixth). In Bk. V. chap. 12 of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii origens daring deed.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... The Thirty-Fifth Chapter: There is No Security from Temptation in This
Life. The Thirty-Sixth Chapter: The Vain Judgments of Men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/

Canons of the Church of Alexandria.
... and not for the body; and of the discharge of widows. Canon Thirty-sixth.
Of the first-fruits of the earth, and the first dedication ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/canons of the church of.htm

Entire Sanctification in Prophecy.
... the office itself. In the thirty-sixth chapter of Ezekiel we have some
striking passages on the theme before us. These were, no ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter v entire sanctification in.htm

Rufinus' Preface to the Translation of Origen's Commentary on ...
... The whole exposition of the thirty-sixth, thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth Psalms
is ethical in its character, being designed to enforce more correct methods ...
/.../rufinus preface to the translation.htm

The Peroration of Rufinus Appended to his Translation of Origen's ...
... The works upon Jesus Nave [3444] and the book of Judges and the thirty-sixth,
thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth Psalms, I translated simply as I found them ...
/.../the peroration of rufinus appended.htm

The Apostolical Canons.
... Maffei himself supposes that the Egyptian bishops were here referring to the
thirty-fifth canon (the thirty-sixth according to the enumeration of Dionysius ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the apostolical canons.htm

And Judas Iscariot
... In Matthew the ninth chapter and the thirty-sixth to the thirty-eighth verses, we
are told that when he saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion, and he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/and judas iscariot.htm

Witnessing in Power.
... and "He will testify of Me." If you will just look at the second chapter of
Acts"to that wonderful sermon that Peter preached"the thirty-sixth verse, you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/witnessing in power.htm

Thirty-sixth (1 Occurrence)
Thirty-sixth. Thirty-six, Thirty-sixth. Thirty-three . Multi-Version
Concordance Thirty-sixth (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles ...
/t/thirty-sixth.htm - 6k

Thirty-three (7 Occurrences)
Thirty-three. Thirty-sixth, Thirty-three. Thirty-two . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). Thirty-sixth, Thirty-three. Thirty-two . ...
/t/thirty-three.htm - 8k

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

Asa (54 Occurrences)
... For the next twenty years there was apparently great prosperity and peace throughout
his kingdom, but in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, Judah was attacked ...
/a/asa.htm - 29k

Section (22 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) One of the portions, of one square mile each, into which the public lands
of the United States are divided; one thirty-sixth part of a township. ...
/s/section.htm - 14k

Sixth (45 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:1 In the thirty-sixth year of the rule of Asa, Baasha, king of Israel,
went up against Judah, building Ramah so that no one was able to go out ...
/s/sixth.htm - 20k

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