The term "thousandth" in the Bible often signifies a part of a larger whole, typically in the context of measurements, genealogies, or symbolic numbers. The use of "thousand" and its derivatives, such as "thousandth," can be found throughout the Scriptures, often carrying significant theological and symbolic meanings.

Symbolism and Usage

In biblical numerology, the number one thousand is frequently used to denote completeness or a large quantity. This symbolic use is evident in various passages where "thousand" is employed to convey the idea of vastness or totality. For example, in Psalm 50:10, God declares, "For every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills." Here, "a thousand hills" symbolizes God's ownership over all creation, not just a literal thousand hills.

Genealogical and Chronological Contexts

In genealogical records, the term "thousandth" may appear in the context of generations or years. The Bible often uses genealogies to trace the lineage of significant figures, such as in the genealogies of Jesus Christ found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. While the term "thousandth" itself may not be explicitly used in these genealogies, the concept of extensive lineages spanning thousands of years is implicit.

Covenantal Implications

The concept of "thousandth" also appears in the context of God's covenantal promises. In Deuteronomy 7:9, the Scripture states, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." Here, "a thousand generations" underscores the enduring and faithful nature of God's covenant with His people, emphasizing His steadfast love and commitment across countless generations.

Judgment and Mercy

The use of "thousand" in the context of judgment and mercy is also noteworthy. In Exodus 20:5-6, God warns of the consequences of idolatry, stating, "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments." This passage contrasts the limited scope of judgment with the expansive reach of God's mercy, highlighting His preference for grace and forgiveness.

Eschatological Significance

In eschatological contexts, the number thousand is often associated with the millennial reign of Christ, as described in Revelation 20:1-6. This period, commonly referred to as the "Millennium," is characterized by Christ's reign on earth for a thousand years, a time of peace and righteousness. The "thousand years" serves as a symbol of the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate victory of His kingdom.

Conclusion

While the term "thousandth" itself may not frequently appear in the biblical text, its conceptual significance is woven throughout Scripture. Whether in the context of God's covenantal faithfulness, genealogical records, or eschatological promises, the use of "thousand" and its derivatives underscores the vastness, completeness, and enduring nature of God's work and character.1. (a.) Next in order after nine hundred and ninety-nine; coming last of a thousand successive individuals or units; -- the ordinal of thousand; as, the thousandth part of a thing.

2. (a.) Constituting, or being one of, a thousand equal parts into which anything is divided; the tenth of a hundredth.

3. (a.) Occurring as being one of, or the last one of, a very great number; very small; minute; -- used hyperbolically; as, to do a thing for the thousandth time.

4. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by a thousand; one of a thousand equal parts into which a unit is divided.

505. eleph -- a thousand
... 1), clan (1), clans (2), divisions (2), eleven* (3), families (2), family (1), million
(1), thousand (78), thousand-fold* (1), thousands (41), thousandth (1). ...
/hebrew/505.htm - 8k

Of the First and Last Times of the World.
... Therefore let the philosophers, who enumerate thousands of ages from the beginning
of the world, know that the six thousandth year is not yet completed, and ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of the first and.htm

Pride Catechized
... conscience has been pacified? Would you, could you, propose anything one
thousandth part as good as God's plan of salvation? Even if you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/pride catechized.htm

The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It
... If you did, you found it was a minute plant, perhaps one six-thousandth of an inch
in diameter, with such an amazing power of propagation that, simply in ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/vi the kingdom of god.htm

The Perennial Freshness of the Bible Bears Witness to Its Divine ...
... with previously. The most familiar passages will yield as much refreshment
at the thousandth perusal as they did at the first. The ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter two the perennial freshness.htm

Application
... Away with those empty nothings, away with this vain deceitful world, which
deserves not the thousandth part of the love you give it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/christ altogether lovely/application.htm

The Chorus of Angels
... Or, at least, they are not yet capable of conceiving the half, or the thousandth
part, of what they read in the Scripture, concerning His wisdom, His glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlix the chorus of.htm

A Book of Modern Social Inquiry Has a Shape that is Somewhat ...
... new moustache. Nations consist of people; the first generation may be decrepit,
or the ten thousandth may be vigorous. Similar applications ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 1 a book of.htm

Mathew xi. 10
... character of instinct: it is far more complete than reason in its first stage, but
it admits of no after improvement; the brute in the thousandth generation is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xvi mathew xi 10.htm

Acts VIII
... the apparent ruin of the single Church in Jerusalem resulted in the springing up
of many Churches throughout the province"proving, for the thousandth time in ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm

At the Dedication of a Church
... If ye were to ask the holiest man on earth if he had wept as much as he ought, he
would say: "No, I have not wept a thousandth part of the tears that I ought ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxvi at the dedication.htm

Thousandth (4 Occurrences)
... in order after nine hundred and ninety-nine; coming last of a thousand successive
individuals or units; -- the ordinal of thousand; as, the thousandth part of ...
/t/thousandth.htm - 8k

Forgives (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting ...
/f/forgives.htm - 8k

Thracia

/t/thracia.htm - 6k

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A money of account of the United States, having
the value of the tenth of a cent, or the thousandth of a dollar. ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Micron
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A measure of length; the thousandth part of one
millimeter; the millionth part of a meter. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/m/micron.htm - 7k

Keeps (154 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting ...
/k/keeps.htm - 33k

Thousands (65 Occurrences)

/t/thousands.htm - 29k

Generations (148 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting ...
/g/generations.htm - 40k

Ten (234 Occurrences)
... Him. It is doubtful whether the rendering `showing mercy to the thousandth
generation' (Exodus 20:6) can be successfully defended. ...
/t/ten.htm - 60k

Commandments (181 Occurrences)
... Him. It is doubtful whether the rendering `showing mercy to the thousandth
generation' (Exodus 20:6) can be successfully defended. ...
/c/commandments.htm - 65k

What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven? | GotQuestions.org

Thousandth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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