The number thirteen appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often carrying symbolic significance. While not as frequently mentioned as other numbers like seven or twelve, thirteen can be associated with themes of rebellion, judgment, and transition.

Symbolism and Meaning

In biblical numerology, the number thirteen is sometimes linked to rebellion and lawlessness. This association is derived from Genesis 14:4, where it is recorded that "for twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled." This passage highlights the thirteenth year as a time of uprising against established authority.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Genesis 14:4 · The rebellion against Kedorlaomer in the thirteenth year is a notable instance where the number is directly mentioned. This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, leading to the involvement of Abram (later Abraham) in the rescue of Lot.

2. Genesis 17:25 · Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, was circumcised at the age of thirteen. "And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised." This act of circumcision at thirteen signifies Ishmael's inclusion in the covenant, yet it also foreshadows the future division between his descendants and those of Isaac.

3. Jeremiah 1:2 · The prophet Jeremiah began receiving the word of the Lord in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign. "The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah." This marks the beginning of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, a time of calling the people of Judah to repentance and warning of impending judgment.

Theological Implications

The number thirteen, while not as prominent as other biblical numbers, often appears in contexts that involve a shift or change, whether it be rebellion, covenantal inclusion, or the commencement of a prophetic mission. It serves as a reminder of the human tendency towards rebellion against divine authority and the need for repentance and alignment with God's will.

Historical and Cultural Context

In Jewish tradition, the age of thirteen holds significance as the age of Bar Mitzvah, when a boy becomes accountable for his actions and is considered capable of fulfilling religious commandments. This cultural practice underscores the transition from childhood to adulthood, a theme that resonates with the biblical occurrences of the number thirteen.

Conclusion

While the number thirteen is not as extensively explored in Scripture as other numbers, its appearances are noteworthy for their association with pivotal moments of change and challenge. Whether through acts of rebellion, covenantal rites, or the initiation of prophetic ministry, the thirteenth year or instance often marks a significant transition in the biblical narrative.1. (a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month.

2. (a.) Constituting or being one of thirteen equal parts into which anything is divided.

3. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by thirteen; one of thirteen equal parts into which anything is divided.

4. (n.) The next in order after the twelfth.

5. (n.) The interval comprising an octave and a sixth.

7969. shalosh -- a three, triad
... 2), 603,550* (2), 623* (1), 64,300* (1), 7,337* (2), 743* (2), 973* (2), forks*
(1), oftentimes* (1), third (11), thirteen* (12), thirteenth* (11), thirty (2 ...
/hebrew/7969.htm - 7k

6240. asar -- ten
... fourteenth* (23), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), seventeen* (5), seventeenth*
(6), sixteen* (18), sixteenth* (3), thirteen* (12), thirteenth* (11), twelfth ...
/hebrew/6240.htm - 6k

From the Thirteenth Chapter.
... from the thirteenth chapter. 1. "And I saw a beast rising up from the
sea, like unto a leopard."] This signifies the kingdom of ...
/.../from the thirteenth chapter.htm

Thirteenth Letter
... LETTERS THIRTEENTH LETTER. To the same he exhorts for fuller and entire
confidence in God, for body and soul. I AM in pain to see ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/thirteenth letter.htm

Thirteenth Proposition of Arminius
... THIRTEENTH PROPOSITION OF ARMINIUS. ... My reasons for answering it negatively,
are these: " ANSWER OF JUNIUS TO THE THIRTEENTH PROPOSITION. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/thirteenth proposition of arminius.htm

February the Thirteenth Grudges
... FEBRUARY The Thirteenth GRUDGES. "Thou shalt not bear any grudge." "Leviticus
19:11-18. How searching is that demand upon the soul! ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/february the thirteenth grudges.htm

October the Thirteenth the Royal Air
... OCTOBER The Thirteenth THE ROYAL AIR. GALATIANS iii.6-14. Emerson says somewhere
that he has noticed that men whose duties are performed ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/october the thirteenth the royal.htm

December the Thirteenth the Holy and the Profane
... DECEMBER The Thirteenth THE HOLY AND THE PROFANE. "Put difference between
the holy and the unholy." "Leviticus 10:1-10. The peril ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/december the thirteenth the holy.htm

September the Thirteenth the Clean Heart
... SEPTEMBER The Thirteenth THE CLEAN HEART. PSALM li. What will the Lord do
with my sin, if in true humility I come into His Presence? ...
/.../september the thirteenth the clean.htm

May the Thirteenth Commonplace Fidelities
... MAY The Thirteenth COMMONPLACE FIDELITIES. EXODUS ii.11-25. God prepares
us for the greater crusades by more commonplace fidelities. ...
/.../may the thirteenth commonplace fidelities.htm

April the Thirteenth Pure Gold
... APRIL The Thirteenth PURE GOLD. "Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold....
And there I will meet with thee." "Exodus 25:10-22. I ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/april the thirteenth pure gold.htm

November the Thirteenth a Transformed Fisherman
... NOVEMBER The Thirteenth A TRANSFORMED FISHERMAN. "Simon Peter saith unto
them, I go a fishing." "John 21:1-14. Simon Peter had ...
/.../november the thirteenth a transformed.htm

Thirteenth (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after
the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month. ...
/t/thirteenth.htm - 11k

Fourteenth (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after the thirteenth; as, the
fourteenth day of the month. 2. (a.) Making or constituting ...
/f/fourteenth.htm - 15k

Adar (10 Occurrences)
... provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and
old, little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth day of the ...
/a/adar.htm - 11k

Twelfth (20 Occurrences)
... provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and
old, little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth day of the ...
/t/twelfth.htm - 14k

Provinces (40 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth
day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Haman commanded ...
/p/provinces.htm - 21k

Feasting (39 Occurrences)
... Esther 9:17 This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the
fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and ...
/f/feasting.htm - 19k

Edict (22 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the
thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the ...
/e/edict.htm - 14k

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the
thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the ...
/x/xerxes.htm - 14k

Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth
day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Haman commanded ...
/a/ahasu-e'rus.htm - 15k

Gladness (83 Occurrences)
... Esther 9:17 This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the
fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and ...
/g/gladness.htm - 32k

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