The term "eightieth" in the Bible is primarily used in the context of age, particularly in reference to the lifespan of individuals. It signifies a milestone that reflects the longevity and the fulfillment of a life lived under God's providence. The number eighty itself is often associated with strength and endurance, as seen in various biblical narratives.

Biblical References:

1. Moses' Age: One of the most notable references to the age of eighty is found in the life of Moses. According to Exodus 7:7 , "Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh." This passage highlights the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, indicating that significant divine callings and purposes can occur even in the later stages of life. Moses' age at this time underscores the idea that God equips and empowers His servants regardless of their age.

2. Caleb's Strength: Another reference to the vigor associated with the age of eighty is found in the account of Caleb. In Joshua 14:10-11 , Caleb declares, "Now behold, the LORD has kept me alive these forty-five years as He promised, since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Here I am today, eighty-five years old, still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out; my strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then." Although Caleb is eighty-five at this point, his reference to his strength at eighty serves as a testament to God's sustaining power.

3. Barzillai the Gileadite: In 2 Samuel 19:32-35 , Barzillai the Gileadite is described as "a very old man, eighty years of age." When King David invites him to come to Jerusalem, Barzillai declines, citing his advanced age and the limitations it brings. This account provides insight into the cultural perceptions of aging and the respect afforded to the elderly in biblical times.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical numerology, the number eighty can symbolize a period of testing, trial, or probation, often leading to a new beginning or a significant change. The age of eighty, therefore, can be seen as a time when individuals have accumulated wisdom and experience, making them valuable contributors to God's work and community life.

The biblical portrayal of individuals at the age of eighty emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and reliance on God's strength throughout one's life. It serves as a reminder that God's purposes are not limited by human age or ability, and that He can use anyone, at any stage of life, to fulfill His divine plans.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Israelite society, reaching the age of eighty was considered a sign of God's blessing and favor. Longevity was often associated with righteousness and obedience to God's commandments. The respect for elders and the wisdom they imparted was deeply ingrained in the community, as seen in various passages throughout the Old Testament.

Overall, the concept of the "eightieth" year in the Bible underscores the themes of endurance, divine calling, and the continued relevance of individuals in God's unfolding account, regardless of their age.1. (n.) The next in order after seventy-ninth.

2. (a.) Consisting of one of eighty equal parts or divisions.

3. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by eighty; one of eighty equal parts.

8084. shemonim -- an eighty
... 1), 180,000* (3), 185,000* (2), 186,400* (1), 188* (1), 280,000* (2), 284* (1),
288* (1), 8,580* (1), 80 (2), 80,000* (3), 87,000* (1), eightieth (1), eighty ...
/hebrew/8084.htm - 6k

Wesley Enters his Eightieth Year
... Chapter 19. An Ideal Circuit; Wesley in his Eighties; Wesley Visits Holland;
Incidents in Scotland Wesley Enters His Eightieth Year. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley enters his eightieth year.htm

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... Moses began his ministry in the eightieth year of his age: Christ enters
upon his office in the eightieth jubilee of the world's age. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

Now, when He had Been There for Some Time...
... gift of God. For was it not the case that the first mother of your
nation"Sarah"was barren up to her eightieth year? [1695] And ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of the nativity of mary/chapter 3 now when he.htm

The Conversion of Constantine.
... Constantine's mother, Helena, though in her eightieth year, set off to the ruins
of Jerusalem to try to trace out the places hallowed by our Saviour's suffering ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxvi the conversion of.htm

How the Hebrews under the Conduct of Moses Left Egypt.
... Jacob removed into Egypt. [28] It was the eightieth year of the age of Moses,
and of that of Aaron three more. They also carried out ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how the hebrews.htm

Helena , Mother of the Emperor Constantine. --Her Zeal in the ...
... shrink from the fatigue of the journey on account of her extreme old age, but undertook
it a little before her death, which occurred in her eightieth year [396 ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xvii helena mother of.htm

How She Made Her Will, and Died at the Age of Eighty Years.
... And when at length at the close of a long life, she was called to inherit a happier
lot, having arrived at the eightieth year of her age, and being very near ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xlvi how she made her.htm

Forasmuch As, Either from Necessity, or through the Urgency of ...
... the episcopate or to the priesthood anyone who had only been a catechumen for a
short time: this injunction is in fact contained in the eightieth (seventy-ninth ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii forasmuch as either.htm

The Heidelberg Catechism. AD 1563.
... collection of Reformed Confessions, pp.390 sqq., gives, besides the Latin text,
a faithful reprint of the third German edition, with the eightieth question in ...
/.../ 69 the heidelberg catechism.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... And again, the second psalm inscribed "On the wine-presses," is the eightieth,
containing another eighth number, viz., in the tenth multiple. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

Eightieth (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by eighty; one of eighty equal parts.
Multi-Version Concordance Eightieth (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/eightieth.htm - 7k

Eighth (38 Occurrences)

/e/eighth.htm - 19k

Zif (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the
children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of ...
/z/zif.htm - 7k

Ziv (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:1 It happened in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children
of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's ...
/z/ziv.htm - 7k

Reigning (57 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:1 And it cometh to pass, in the four hundred and eightieth year of the
going out of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, in the fourth year ...
/r/reigning.htm - 24k

Eight-stringed (3 Occurrences)
Eight-stringed. Eightieth, Eight-stringed. Eighty . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB). Eightieth, Eight-stringed. Eighty . Reference Bible.
/e/eight-stringed.htm - 7k

Moon (70 Occurrences)
... The diameter of the moon is 2,160 miles, its mean distance from the earth is 240,000
miles, and its mass is one eightieth that of the earth. See Month. ...
/m/moon.htm - 36k

Allegory (6 Occurrences)
... allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory:
"Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Ecclesiastes ...
/a/allegory.htm - 14k

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:1 And it cometh to pass, in the four hundred and eightieth year of the
going out of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, in the fourth year ...
/b/buildeth.htm - 28k

Started (51 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:1 In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel
came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year that Solomon was king of ...
/s/started.htm - 21k

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