37, 38 & 39: The Importance of Numbers in the Bible

As you can see, I have combined three numbers into one article. This is not to say they are irrelevant, rather there are only a few examples of each in the Bible. So, I thought we would take a quick look at thirty-seven, thirty-eight and thirty-nine before we move on to forty, which I promise will be much more exciting.
 
Here are the few mentions of each number in the Bible. I will go into more details below.
 
Thirty-seven:

• 2 Samuel 23:39 (NIV): There were thirty-seven in all. [David’s Mighty Warriors]
• 2 Kings 13:10 (NIV): In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
• 2 Kings 25:27 (NIV): In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month.

 
Thirty-eight:

• Deuteronomy 2:14 (NIV): Thirty-eight years passed from the time we left Kadesh Barnea until we crossed the Zered Valley. By then, that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them.
• 1 Kings 16:29 (NIV): In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years.
• John 5:5 (NIV): One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

 
Thirty-nine:

• 2 Kings 15:13 (NIV): Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned in Samaria one month.
• 2 Kings 15:17 (NIV): In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.
• 2 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV): In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.
• 2 Corinthians 11:24 (NASB): Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

 
Thirty-seven is the twelfth prime number and the atomic number of rubidium. The normal human body temperature is thirty-seven degrees Celsius. 
 
According to the Early Church Fathers, thirty-seven is a symbol of Christ. According to Gematria, the numerical value for the words “I am” is thirty-seven, as is ALEA, which means “Word of God”. Thirty-seven is also the numerical value of the name Abel. 
 
According to Talmudic tradition, Isaac was thirty-seven years old at the time he was taken to Moria to be sacrificed. Usually, in Christian teachings, we assume Isaac is still a child at this point.
 
In the New Testament, there are four chapters with a total of thirty-seven verses: Mark 7, Mark 13, Luke 17 and Acts 4.
 
Thirty-eight is the atomic number of strontium. I am afraid that is all I have got to tell you.
 
Thirty-nine is the sum of five consecutive prime numbers (3+5+7+11+13). It is the atomic number of yttrium. In Afghanistan, it is an unlucky number. The “curse of 39” is the belief that the number is cursed and purportedly linked with prostitution.
 
In the Bible, the words “mischievousness” and “impurity” are written thirty-nine times. 
 
Finally, have you heard of the Bible of Ostervald? Compiled by Protestant pastor Jean-Frédéric Ostervald, the Old Testament only contains thirty-nine books.