Number 33 Meaning In The Bible

What does the number 33 mean in the Bible?

Introduction

People often wonder about the meaning of numbers in the Bible.

The number 33 stands out compared to other numbers because it repeats the number of the Holy Trinity twice.

In this article, we will look at all mentions of the number thirty-three in the Bible and find out what this number means.

Meanings of the Number 33 in the Bible:

Luke 3:23

According to Luke 3:23, it’s mentioned that Jesus began his public ministry at around the age of 30.

The Gospel of John tells us about three occasions when Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover. This information has led to the widely held Christian belief that Jesus lived for approximately 33 years.

Although researchers have several versions of how old Christ was at the time of the crucifixion, the age of 33 remains very common, which is why this number attracts many people’s attention.

Genesis 46:15

Genesis 46:15 says, “These were the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Padan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the persons, his sons and his daughters, were thirty-three.”

The mention of thirty-three refers to the total number of children born to Jacob, whose mother was his wife Leah, including both sons and daughters.

The meaning of the number thirty-three in this verse is primarily numerical, emphasizing the children of Jacob.

On the other hand, it can symbolize God’s blessing and perfection, since the number three symbolizes God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Messiah that the Jews expected to come.

Exodus 6:18

Exodus 6:18 says, “And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three.”

The number 3 is associated with divine fullness and perfection.

This personifies the Trinity in Christianity, that is, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, the number 3 is related to the concept of resurrection, since Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

With this symbolism in mind, we could assume that the mention of Kohath’s life span of 133 years, with the number 33 as part of it, could symbolize a sense of divine fullness and purpose in his life, thanks to which he was able to live a long life and have many children.

The inclusion of the number 33 may show that Kohath’s life was marked by spiritual significance and connection with the divine plan of God.

Leviticus 12:4

Leviticus 12:4 has these words “She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled.”

The number thirty-three is mentioned in the context of the time of purification of a woman after childbirth.

It says that after the birth of a child, a woman must continue her purification with blood for thirty-three days before she can touch anything considered holy or enter the sanctuary.

Basically, it says that after the birth of a male child, a woman must continue her period of purification for 33 days before she can touch anything considered sacred or enter a sanctuary.

The exact reason for the duration of 33 days isn’t directly mentioned in the biblical text.

It is believed that the number 33 can symbolize completeness or a period of spiritual significance.

It serves as a specific time set forth by God for ritual purification and observance. Perhaps God has set such a time to train the Jewish people to fulfill his commands.

2 Samuel 5:5

2 Samuel 5:5 says, “In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.”

Thirty-three is mentioned in connection with the time of King David’s reign over all of Israel and Judah.

With this verse, we can find out the time during which David reigned as king. This shows that David ruled Israel and Judah for a total of thirty-three years.

how many wives did david have before bathsheba

Rome – king David from the Maria column by Spain statis

The significance of the number thirty-three here is connected with the historical narrative of the reign of David and his confirmation as king of the united Israel.

This shows us the historical context for understanding political dynamics and leadership during that time.

At the same time, the fact that David ruled for 33 years may also have a symbolic meaning, showing that King David was chosen and supported by God’s help in his reign.

1 Kings 2:11

We can find the same information in 1 Kings 2:11, where it says that David ruled in Jerusalem for 33 years, which only confirms the historical fact once again:

“The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.”

Managing such an important city was considered a special privilege and honor, so the number 33 plays a symbolic role here.

1 Chronicles 3:4

Also, in 1 Chronicles 3:4, the number thirty-three is mentioned in connection with the duration of the reign of King David in Jerusalem.

This is the third mention that King David ruled in Jerusalem for exactly 33 years; that is, special attention is paid to this.

Isaiah 6:3

The number 3 is commonly seen as representing completeness or perfection in the Bible.

For example, God is described as holy, holy, holy in Isaiah 6:3, showing divine perfection and completeness.

Also, the number three will play a substantial symbolic role in the New Testament, so we can conclude that the number 33 shows not only perfection but also the connection of the Old Testament time with the future coming of Christ.

1 Chronicles 29:27

The last mention of the number thirty-three in the Bible can be found in 1 Chronicles 29:27.

We find the fourth repetition of the information that David ruled in Jerusalem for thirty-three years:

“And the period that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem.”

As such, the number 33 is often found in the Old Testament, and it becomes surprising that information about the thirty-three years of the reign of King David is mentioned as many as four times.

Taking into account the fact that King David possessed special wisdom and insight while being blessed by God, it can be concluded that the number thirty-three wasn’t chosen by chance, and King David knew that this was a sign from God indicating his special role in history.

Meaning of the number thirty-three

Based on the analysis of the above examples, we come to the conclusion that the number thirty-three means Divine fullness and perfection.

In the Bible, the number thirty-three often symbolizes divine fullness, perfection, and Trinity.

The repetition of three in the number thirty-three could strengthen this symbolism, signifying the absolute perfection and completeness of the divine work or plan.

Also, based on the analysis of verses from the Bible, thirty-three can mean spiritual transformation. The number three is associated with a spiritual transformation, for example, a spiritual change that a woman had to undergo after giving birth.

This number represents a journey from one state to another, often involving a process of development and change. This may show a deepened or intensified spiritual transformation or growth, emphasizing the significance of the journey and its outcome.

Since the number three symbolizes God, the number thirty-three can symbolize the highest spiritual consciousness. Three is sometimes considered a number representing higher spiritual consciousness or enlightenment.

Appearing twice in the number thirty-three, it can mean an even deeper level of spiritual awareness or a deep connection with divine wisdom and insight, that is, God’s blessing.

Since thirty-three symbolizes Divine blessing, it also symbolizes Divine intervention and revelation. Three is often associated in the Bible with divine intervention, revelation, and supernatural manifestations.

When repeated in the thirty-third, it can symbolize an enhanced presence of divine intervention or an enhanced divine revelation in a particular context or situation, which is why we can see the number thirty-three four times in the context of the reign of King David.

As mentioned earlier, the number three symbolizes the Trinity. In the context of the thirty-three, it could draw attention to the significance of the triune nature of God, reminding believers of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and their role in the divine plan of salvation.

This is also a reference to future events that were to happen, as well as to the fact that God’s blessing comes from the Holy Trinity.

The number 33 can symbolize sacrificial love; it comes from the crucifixion of Jesus at the age of 33, as well as the fact that Christ rose on the third day. It reminds believers of the highest manifestation of love and selflessness, serving as a call to emulate this love in their own lives through acts of compassion, forgiveness, and service to others.

The number 33 can also be associated with the divine time and the seasons that God can appoint for us. This suggests that certain events or milestones in our lives can happen at precisely the right time according to God’s plan. This encourages faith in the perfect time and providence of God, showing us the need to be patient and trust in God’s guidance.

Thirty-three can symbolize a person’s spiritual maturity and readiness for something. This is a stage of heightened spiritual consciousness and awareness that shows a level of wisdom, understanding, and willingness to accept God’s truths and live in accordance with them.

It is important to note that these interpretations are symbolic in nature and aren’t explicitly stated in the biblical text, but for Jewish society, any symbolism of numbers was very important in ancient times.

Unfortunately, we have no explanations from the Church Fathers or any saints regarding the meaning of the number thirty-three, so the symbolism of this number can only be deduced using the general context and analysis of the Bible.

This number symbolizes God’s perfect plan and blessing and is also a symbol of the Trinity.

In the Bible, this number symbolizes not only perfection but also being chosen by God, because we can come across several examples when this number is mentioned in the context of spiritually wise people or spiritual changes.

Such a choice could only be given to wise and sensitive people who were ready to perceive God and his truths, therefore the number 33 symbolizes a high degree of spiritual consciousness of a human being.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we can note that the number 33 has various symbolic meanings in a spiritual context, although these interpretations aren’t directly indicated in the biblical text.

Delving into the meaning of this number, we discover a connection with the Trinity, love, divine time, perfection, spiritual maturity, and God’s plan.

The threefold nature of God, represented by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is reflected in number 33.

This is a recall of God’s plan of salvation and the role that each person of the Trinity plays in this redemptive work.

The mention of the number thirty-three in the Old Testament, which has its own symbolism, only shows the inextricable connection of the Old Testament with the New Testament, that is, with events that had not yet occurred, but nevertheless, in the Old Testament there are many indications of the events of the New Testament.

This can serve as an image of God’s providence, and also, based on the context of the verses of the Old Testament, the number thirty-three serves as a symbol of a person’s spiritual change and blessing.

The number thirty-three is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, usually with symbolic meaning.

From the estimated age of Jesus at the time of his crucifixion to the years of David’s reign, this number has attracted the attention of believers.

While we clearly see some connections with the Trinity, love, the divine plan, and spiritual maturity, it is essential to note that the explicit symbolic meanings of the thirty-three may vary depending on the context.

Be that as it may, the repeated mention of this number prompts us to think about the divine plan, blessings, and significant events interwoven with biblical narratives.