The number twenty-three appears in the Bible in various contexts, often carrying symbolic or literal significance. While not as frequently mentioned as other numbers, it holds its own place within the biblical narrative.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. 1 Chronicles 2:22 · "Segub was the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead." In this passage, the number twenty-three is associated with the cities under the control of Jair, a descendant of Manasseh. This reference highlights the extent of Jair's influence and the territorial inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh.

2. Jeremiah 25:3 · "From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—twenty-three years—the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened." Here, the prophet Jeremiah recounts the duration of his prophetic ministry, emphasizing the persistent call to repentance that went unheeded by the people of Judah. The twenty-three years signify a period of divine patience and warning before the impending judgment.

Symbolic Interpretations

In biblical numerology, numbers often carry symbolic meanings. While the number twenty-three is not as prominently featured as numbers like seven or twelve, it can be seen as a number that signifies completeness or fullness in certain contexts. For instance, the twenty-three cities of Jair may symbolize the full extent of his territorial control.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the number twenty-three in Jeremiah 25:3 underscores the theme of God's enduring patience and the persistent call to repentance. Despite the long period of prophetic warning, the people of Judah failed to heed God's message, leading to their eventual exile. This serves as a reminder of the importance of responding to God's word with obedience and faithfulness.

Historical Context

The historical context of the number twenty-three in the Bible often relates to periods of leadership, territorial control, or prophetic ministry. In the case of Jair, the twenty-three cities reflect the historical reality of tribal inheritances in the Promised Land. For Jeremiah, the twenty-three years mark a significant era in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile.

Conclusion

While the number twenty-three may not be as frequently discussed as other biblical numbers, its occurrences in Scripture provide insights into the historical, theological, and symbolic dimensions of the biblical narrative. Whether reflecting the extent of territorial control or the duration of prophetic ministry, the number twenty-three contributes to the rich tapestry of biblical numerology and its significance in God's unfolding plan.1501. eikosi -- twenty
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition twenty NASB Word Usage three* (1),
twenty (3), twenty-four* (6), twenty-three* (1). twenty. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1501.htm - 6k

5140. treis and tria -- three
... Word Origin a prim. cardinal number Definition three NASB Word Usage
fifty-three* (1), thirty (1), three (66), twenty-three* (1). three. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5140.htm - 6k

2802. Klauda -- Clauda, an island near Crete
... Feminine Transliteration: Klauda Phonetic Spelling: (klow'-day) Short Definition:
Cauda, Clauda Definition: Cauda, Clauda, an island twenty-three miles south ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2802.htm - 6k

7969. shalosh -- a three, triad
... thirty (2), thirty-three* (7), three (267), three things (6), three-pronged* (1),
three-tenths* (8), three-year-old (1), twenty-third* (7), twenty-three* (6). ...
/hebrew/7969.htm - 7k

6242. esrim -- twenty
... twenty-nine* (6), twenty-one* (4), twenty-second* (2), twenty-seven* (1),
twenty-seventh* (6), twenty-sixth* (1), twenty-third* (7), twenty-three* (6), twenty ...
/hebrew/6242.htm - 6k

Chapter twenty-three
... Chapter Twenty-three. "I am just back from a visit to Raymond," Dr. Bruce began,
"and I want to tell you something of my impressions of the movement there." ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-three.htm

Question Twenty-Three of Predestination
... Question Twenty-Three OF PREDESTINATION. OF PREDESTINATION After divine
providence, we must consider predestination. There are eight ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question twenty-three of predestination.htm

Three Necessary "Rations"
... TALK TWENTY-THREE. THREE NECESSARY "RATIONS". The soul, like the body, must have
something to nourish and strengthen it, to give it vigor and vitality. ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-three three necessary rations.htm

A Converted Village Blacksmith.
... CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. A CONVERTED VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. We have already seen
how Daniel tried to bring his heathen neighbours into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter twenty three a converted.htm

Fragment xiv. ??schylus, the Son of Agamestor, Ruled the Athenians ...
... Fragment XIV. ??schylus, the son of Agamestor, ruled the Athenians
twenty-three years? ??schylus, the son of Agamestor, ruled ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/fragment xiv aeschylus the son.htm

On Charity. Secunda Secundae. Questions 23, 27 Question Twenty ...
... III. On Charity. Secunda Secundae. Questions 23, 27. Question Twenty-Three OF
CHARITY, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF. OF CHARITY, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/iii on charity secunda secundae.htm

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
... of the Augustana Part Twenty-One: Article Sixteen of the Augustana Part Twenty-Two:
Article Seventeen of the Augustana Part Twenty-Three: Article Eighteen of ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/title page.htm

Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
... It numbers twenty-three travelling preachers, thirty-six local preachers, (ie, lay
preachers, who support themselves, and preach as they have opportunity) and ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/missions of the methodist episcopal.htm

Moses Reported These Words of God to the People...
... smite the people with drawn swords. In this onset twenty-three thousand
[284] men are said to have been slain. Then Moses set up the ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xix moses reported these.htm

American Board of Foreign Missions.
... and thirty. The number of free schools was four hundred and ninety,
containing about twenty-three thousand pupils. The receipts ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american board of foreign missions.htm

Twenty-three (15 Occurrences)
Twenty-three. Twenty-third, Twenty-three. Twenty-two . Multi-Version
Concordance Twenty-three (15 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians ...
/t/twenty-three.htm - 10k

23000 (2 Occurrences)
... 23000 (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit sexual immorality,
as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. ...
/num/23000.htm - 7k

Twenty (282 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of
them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. ...
/t/twenty.htm - 40k

Twenty-third (7 Occurrences)
Twenty-third. Twenty-sixth, Twenty-third. Twenty-three . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). Twenty-sixth, Twenty-third. Twenty-three . ...
/t/twenty-third.htm - 8k

Twenty-two (26 Occurrences)
Twenty-two. Twenty-three, Twenty-two. Twice . Multi-Version Concordance
Twenty-two (26 Occurrences). ... Twenty-three, Twenty-two. Twice . Reference Bible.
/t/twenty-two.htm - 14k

Months (65 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he
reigned three months in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Hamutal the ...
/m/months.htm - 28k

Ai (32 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three. (WEB ... Nehemiah
7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, a hundred twenty-three. (WEB ...
/a/ai.htm - 21k

623 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 623 (1 Occurrence). Ezra 2:11 The children
of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/623.htm - 6k

123 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 123 (1 Occurrence). Ezra 2:21 The children
of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/123.htm - 6k

223 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 223 (1 Occurrence). Ezra 2:19 The children
of Hashum, two hundred Twenty-three. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/223.htm - 6k

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