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: Hi, Chusarcik! I think that when we tend to throw in all sorts of things into the cooking pot, the only outcome is pot-luck surprise! Superstition deems the number 13 as bad luck... it is interesting to visit some of New York City's tall buildings: the elevators do not have a 13th floor on them... this shows how powerful superstition can be! However, we are speaking of the Holy Scripture and God... God does not employ nor allow for any superstition! I do not know the origin of the superstition about the number 13 (it could predate Christ--I just don't know); but what I know is that Christ made a specific selection: 12 disciples! These twelve disciples are to mirror the twelve tribes of the Old Testament... and though Christ was among them, it was truly God-with-us that was among the twelve (Isaiah 55:8-9) so the number of equal elements is still twelve! Yet, even if we were to count Jesus with the twelve, would the new Judas (not Iscariot) not be also the thirteenth since the Holy Spirit precided above the twelve and worked directly with them to establish the Church? Further, if we do not count the Holy Spirit, would then Paul not be the thirteenth... he called himself an apostle (even if he suggested that he was the least of them)... so it would seem that the most recorded apostle to the Gentiles would be battling against the forces of evil and the inherited bad omen! We find that Paul was very pleased to be Christ's apostle... he deemed his commission a great honorable one and just as he, erroneously, persecuted the Church, he made it a point to always excel in his ministry!... that thirteen thing just did not slow him a bit! The Twelve Tribes... It is revealed in Scripture that there are Twelve Tribes... that Scripture does not explain itself it is understandable: the Word of God is the Word of God... He has no need to explain Himself to us! So we start with the original names of the twelve sons of Jacob... journey through early changes (Levi separated from the Twelve--11 are left; Joseph temporarily removed from the list 10 are left; the names of two of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, are introduced as part of the Twelve--12 are left... Then, in Revelation 7, we find that there are new changes: Dan is completely removed from the Twelve (perhaps for their inability of keeping their land and having to live annexed to one of the othe tribes)--11 left; Levi is reinstated as part of the Twelve--12 left; Ephraim is interchanged with Joseph--still 12 left! So we find that though a total of fourteen names and thirteen actual tribes existed, Israel is composed of only Twelve Tribes! God Bless! Angel |