Bible Question:
According to some, the number 13 represents bad things, rebellion, etc.(see reference below) If you count 1. If you count 14 including Manasseh and Ephraim and remove Dan as some seem to belive wouldn't that make the total number13 which is bad? (This isn't meant as an argument, I'm just exploring all the opinions to try to arrive at the truth) THIRTEEN: An ill omen, hostility, rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption. CHusarcik 13 is the 6th prime number. Judas was the thirteenth at the head table at the Passover feast. (which is why 13 is considered to be an unlucky number). Ishmael, the illegitimate son of Abraham was 13 years old when he was circumcised. Leaven is a sign for sin. The gematria for leaven, zumee in Hebrew is 13. The Virgin Mary often appears on the 13th day of the month. This number obviously has no power over her. Remember it was prophesied that she would crush the head of the serpent. reference -http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/Reference/Gematria.htm |
Bible Answer: Chusarcik You keep getting tied up with the number of tribes of Israel. There are 12 tribes of Israel. 1. Reuben, 2. Simeon 3. Levi 4. Judah 5. Issachar 6. Zebulun 7. Joseph 8. Benjamin 9. Dan 10. Naphtali 11. Gad 12. Asher No more no less. Now the land was divided by the twelve but instead of Levi getting territory the tribe of Levi was called into service of God and given cities within each territory. Therefore God divided the land between the 12 tribes further dividing Joseph's to Ephraim and Manasseh. This did not make more tribes just different, splitting the tribe of Joseph into two. Later we see in Revelation Dan's name is excluded, many believe it is because Dan was the first tribe to go into idolatry. However there is still only twelve tribes. Perhaps this excerpt from John MacArthur's commentary on Revelations will help. The specific tribal names in this list raise some interesting questions. First, however, it should be noted that there is no standard way of listing the twelve tribes. There are at least nineteen different ways of listing them in the Old Testament, none of which agree with the list given here: (Revelations) In the Old Testament lists, sometimes the order of birth is followed (Gen. 29:32–35:18). At other times, it is the order of Jacob's blessing them (Gen. 49:3–27), the order of encampment (Num. 2:3–31), the order of the census before the invasion of Canaan (Num. 26:4–51), the order of blessing and cursing (Deut. 27:12–13), the order of Moses' blessing (Deut. 33:6–25), the order of "the princes" (Num. 1:5–15), the order of inheritance (Josh. 13:7–22:34), the order by the wives and concubines (1 Chron. 2:1–8:40), and the order of the gates of the city (Ezek. 48:31–34). (Thomas, Revelation 1–7, 479) Although Reuben was the firstborn (Gen. 46:8), Judah is listed first. Reuben forfeited his birthright as punishment for his sexual misconduct with his father's concubine (1 Chron. 5:1). The omission of the tribe of Dan in favor of the priestly tribe of Levi is also unusual. Dan was evidently omitted due to the tribe's penchant for idolatry (cf. Deut. 29:18–21)—which was even worse than that of the rest of the nation (cf. Judg. 18; Amos 8:14). While Dan will share in the millennial blessings (Ezek. 48:1–2, 32) the tribe will not be selected for this duty nor protected during the Tribulation. Similarly, the name of Ephraim is omitted in favor of his father Joseph because Ephraim defected from the ruling house of Judah (Isa. 7:17). Also Ephraim, like Dan, was consumed with idolatry (Hos. 4:17). His brother Manasseh is included because he was the faithful son of Joseph. This critical passage reinforces the biblical truth that God is not through with the nation of Israel (cf. Rom. 9–11). Though Israel failed in its mission to be a witness nation in the Old Testament, that will not be the case in the future. From the Jewish people will come the greatest missionary force the world has ever known. The result of their effort will be a redeemed Israel, as promised by God, and innumerable redeemed Gentiles. —MacArthur New Testament Commentary, The |