The number thirty-one appears in the Bible in various contexts, often symbolizing completeness or the fulfillment of divine purposes. It is a composite number, being the sum of thirty and one, and can be seen as an extension of the number thirty, which often signifies a period of testing or preparation.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 12:24 · In the conquest narratives of the Book of Joshua, the number thirty-one is significant in the enumeration of defeated kings. The verse states, "the king of Tirzah, one; in all, thirty-one kings." This passage lists the kings defeated by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, marking the completion of a significant phase in the conquest of Canaan. The defeat of thirty-one kings signifies the comprehensive victory granted by God to the Israelites, fulfilling His promise to give them the land.

2. Genesis 11:25 · Although not directly mentioning the number thirty-one, the genealogies in Genesis provide a backdrop for understanding the significance of numbers in biblical narratives. In Genesis 11:25, Nahor lived "after he became the father of Terah 119 years, and he had other sons and daughters." The genealogies often use numbers to convey completeness and divine order, which can be seen in the broader context of biblical numerology.

Symbolic Meaning:

In biblical numerology, the number thirty-one can be seen as an extension of the number thirty, which is often associated with maturity, authority, and leadership. For example, Jesus began His public ministry at the age of thirty (Luke 3:23), and David became king at thirty (2 Samuel 5:4). The addition of one to thirty may symbolize a new beginning or the fulfillment of a divine plan, as seen in the conquest of Canaan.

Theological Implications:

The defeat of thirty-one kings in Joshua 12 underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and faithfulness. It highlights God's power to fulfill His promises to His people, despite the formidable opposition they faced. This victory serves as a testament to God's covenantal faithfulness and His ability to bring His people into the promised inheritance.

Historical Context:

The historical context of the conquest of Canaan is crucial for understanding the significance of the number thirty-one. The Israelites, having wandered in the wilderness for forty years, were now entering a land inhabited by various Canaanite tribes and city-states. The defeat of thirty-one kings represents the subjugation of these diverse groups and the establishment of Israelite control over the land.

Application:

For believers, the number thirty-one can serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His promises. Just as the Israelites experienced victory through divine intervention, Christians are encouraged to rely on God's strength and guidance in their spiritual journey. The number also invites reflection on the completeness of God's work in one's life and the assurance of His continued presence and provision.259. echad -- one
... each (1), only (2), other (27), other was one (1), outermost* (1), same (25), same
one (1), single (15), some (2), thirty-first* (1), thirty-one* (3), together ...
/hebrew/259.htm - 7k

7970. sheloshim -- thirty
... 88), thirty-eight* (1), thirty-eighth* (2), thirty-fifth* (1), thirty-first* (1),
thirty-five* (4), thirty-four* (1), thirty-ninth* (3), thirty-one* (3), thirty ...
/hebrew/7970.htm - 6k

Chapter thirty-one
... Chapter Thirty-one. He had planned when he came to the city to return to Raymond
and be in his own pulpit on Sunday. But Friday morning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter thirty-one.htm

Being Easily Entreated
... TALK THIRTY-ONE. BEING EASILY ENTREATED. Not long since I saw in the report
of a meeting a statement something like this: "The brethren ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-one being easily entreated.htm

Martin Rinkart
... of Leipsic by dint of industry and his musical gifts, took orders, and was precentor
of the church at Eisleben, and at the age of thirty-one was offered the ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/martin rinkart.htm

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... cities, are named. And thus, if we count sons and grandsons, there are
thirty-one of Ham's descendants registered. It remains to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

Conclusion
... CONCLUSION. THIS then is the answer which I have thought proper to make, at present,
to the THIRTY-ONE ARTICLES that have been objected against me. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/conclusion.htm

The Funeral of the Emperor Constantine.
... The Emperor Constantine lived sixty-five years, and reigned thirty-one. ... [260] This
book, therefore, embraces a period of thirty-one years. Footnotes: ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xl the funeral of the.htm

Heart Talks
... HOW ARE YOUR EAR CONNECTIONS? TALK THIRTY. FRET NOT THYSELF. TALK THIRTY-ONE. BEING
EASILY ENTREATED. TALK THIRTY-TWO. FOLLOWING "WHITHERSOEVER". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
... Three of the Augustana Part Twenty-Nine: Article Twenty-Four of the Augustana Part
Thirty: A Definition of the term "Sacrifice" Part Thirty-One: What the ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/title page.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... himself relate, in the time of Herod, he must, according to the dates given in Josephus
and by the Roman historians, have been at least thirty-one years of age ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

How Josiah Fought with Neco [King of Egypt. ] and was Wounded and ...
... and died of that wound; and was magnificently buried in the sepulcher of his fathers,
when he had lived thirty-nine years, and of them had reigned thirty-one. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how josiah fought.htm

Thirty-one (3 Occurrences)
Thirty-one. Thirty-ninth, Thirty-one. Thirty-second . Multi-Version
Concordance Thirty-one (3 Occurrences). Joshua 12 ...
/t/thirty-one.htm - 7k

Hell (53 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 30:15, 16). It is rendered "grave" thirty-one times (Genesis
37:35; 42:38; 44:29, 31; 1 Samuel 2:6, etc.). The Revisers have ...
/h/hell.htm - 29k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 35:20-27), after a reign of thirty-one years. He was buried with the
greatest honours in fulfilment of Huldah's prophecy (2 Kings 22:20; Comp. ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Eight (81 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned
thirty-one years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of ...
/e/eight.htm - 31k

King (25505 Occurrences)
... whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Joshua
12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy ...
/k/king.htm - 64k

Joshua (211 Occurrences)
... book which bears his name. Six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered
by him (Joshua 11:18-23; 12:24). Having thus subdued the ...
/j/joshua.htm - 101k

Jedidah (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned
thirty-one years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of ...
/j/jedidah.htm - 7k

Go (17871 Occurrences)
... 22. (n.) That condition in the course of the game when a player can not lay down
a card which will not carry the aggregate count above thirty-one. Int. ...
/g/go.htm - 19k

Thirtieth (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by thirty; one of thirty equal parts.
Multi-Version Concordance Thirtieth (9 Occurrences). ...
/t/thirtieth.htm - 10k

Thirty-second (2 Occurrences)
Thirty-second. Thirty-one, Thirty-second. Thirty-seven . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
Thirty-one, Thirty-second. Thirty-seven . Reference Bible.
/t/thirty-second.htm - 7k

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