In biblical numerology, the number 18 does not have a specific symbolic meaning as prominently as some other numbers like 7 or 40. However, it appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often in relation to time periods, ages, or quantities. Below are some notable instances and themes associated with the number 18 in the Scriptures.

Judges and Oppression:

The number 18 is mentioned in the context of Israel's oppression by foreign powers during the time of the Judges. In Judges 3:14, the Israelites served Eglon, the king of Moab, for 18 years: "The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years." This period of subjugation ended when Ehud, a judge of Israel, delivered them.

Similarly, in Judges 10:8, the Israelites were oppressed by the Ammonites for 18 years: "They shattered and crushed the Israelites that year, and for eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites." This oppression was part of a cycle of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation that characterized the era of the Judges.

King Saul and David:

In 1 Samuel 17:12, the number 18 is indirectly referenced in the context of David's family. Jesse, David's father, had eight sons, and David was the youngest. While the number 18 is not directly mentioned, the context of David's family and his rise to prominence is significant in the narrative of Israel's monarchy.

Rehoboam's Reign:

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, began his reign over Judah at the age of 41 and reigned for 17 years. However, in 1 Kings 14:21, it is noted that he reigned for 18 years in Jerusalem, which is a textual discrepancy that some scholars attribute to variations in ancient manuscripts or interpretive traditions.

New Testament Reference:

In the New Testament, the number 18 appears in Luke 13:4, where Jesus refers to a tragic event: "Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem?" Here, Jesus uses the incident to teach about repentance and the unpredictability of life.

Symbolic Interpretations:

While the number 18 does not have a universally agreed-upon symbolic meaning in biblical texts, some Jewish traditions outside the Bible associate the number with life, as the Hebrew word for "life" (chai) has a numerical value of 18. This association is more cultural than scriptural but is worth noting in discussions of biblical numerology.

Conclusion:

The number 18 appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often related to periods of oppression or significant events. While it does not carry a specific symbolic meaning within the biblical text itself, its occurrences contribute to the broader narrative of Israel's history and the teachings of Jesus.18 (1 Occurrence)

Ezra 8:18
According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;
(See NAS NIV)

18 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 18 (1 Occurrence). Ezra 8:18 According to the good
hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion ...
/num/18.htm - 6k

Michal (18 Occurrences)
... "Attracted by the graces of his person and the gallantry of his conduct, she fell
in love with David and became his wife" (18:20-28). ... 1 Samuel 18:19). Int. ...
/m/michal.htm - 16k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... Since emphasis may be placed upon the deed itself, the wrongdoer, or the injured
party, the verb is found an intransitive (only Leviticus 19:18; see below ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

Hadade'zer (18 Occurrences)
... Hadade'zer (18 Occurrences). ... 1 Chronicles 18:3 And David smote Hadarezer king of
Zobah by Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion at the river Euphrates. ...
/h/hadade'zer.htm - 11k

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)
... and "very much brass," from which afterwards the "brasen sea, and the pillars, and
the vessels of brass" for the temple were made (1 Chronicles 18:8), were ...
/h/hadadezer.htm - 15k

Northern (18 Occurrences)
... Northern (18 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Joshua 18:18 And it passed along to the side
over against the Arabah northward, and went down unto the Arabah. (See NIV). ...
/n/northern.htm - 12k

Robbery (18 Occurrences)
... See also 1 Samuel 27:6-10; 30; Hosea 4:2; 6:9). Robbers infested Judea in our Lord's
time (Luke 10:30; John 18:40; Acts 5:36, 37; 21:38; 2 Corinthians 11:26). ...
/r/robbery.htm - 16k

Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences)
... David built an altar on Ornan's (Araunah's) threshing-floor (2 Samuel 24:18-24 1
Chronicles 21:18-27), which later became the site of the Temple (2 Chronicles 3 ...
/t/threshingfloor.htm - 15k

Giants (18 Occurrences)
... In Samuel 21:16, 18, 20, 33, "the giant" is (AV) the rendering of the singular form
ha raphah, which may possibly be the name of the father of the four giants ...
/g/giants.htm - 19k

Disputes (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Disputes (18 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Exodus 18:19 Listen
now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. ...
/d/disputes.htm - 11k

Who were the three men who visited Abraham in Genesis 18? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org

What laws were given to Israel in exact response to pagan practices? | GotQuestions.org

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