NUMBERS EIGHT & THIRTEEN (8-13-5)

0. Introduction

a) The numbers eight and thirteen together that we may afterwards compare and contrast the two. But it is when we come to Gematria (substituting numbers for letters) that the most wonderful results are seen. These results may be stated thus, briefly: That the names of the LORD's people are multiples of eight, while the names of those who apostatized, or rebelled, or who were in any sense His enemies, are multiples of thirteen. It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 8 and13 together can be found in the Bible.

1. Who were the Adversaries of Christ?

• "The Scribes" = 780 (13x60)
• "The Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites" = 2704 (13 x 13 x 16)
• "Woe!" = 481 (13 x 37)
• "Leaven of Pharisees and Sadducees" = 3718 (13 x 13 x 22)
• "A wicked and adulterous generation" = 1365 (13 x 105)

a) The Scriptures concerning Barabbas

• Matthew 27:20: "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus" = 10127 (13x779)
  • The elders = 1352 (13x104)
  • The multitude = 2340 (13x180)
  
  
• Matthew 27:16: "And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas" = 2743 (13x211)
• Mark 15:6: "Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired" = 910 (13x70)
• Luke 23:18: "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas" = 9347 (13x719)
• John 18:40: "Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber." In this verse we have--
  • "Then cried they all again" = 2600 (13x200)
  • "Not this man, but = 1300 (13x100)
  • "Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber" = 1833 (13x141)
  • Total = 5733 (13x441)

b) The Scriptures concerning Judas Iscariot

• Luke 22:3: "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve" = 8359 (13x643)

• Verse 47, "And he that was called Judas, one of the twelve" = 3458 (13x266)

• John 12:4: "Judas Iscariot, he that should betray Him" = 4511 (13x347)

• John 13:26: "Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon" = 19435 (13x1495)
• Matthew 26:48: "Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He; hold Him fast" = 9867 (13x759)

c) So with Acts 1:16; Mark 14:44,45, and all the corresponding passages. Thus, no matter in what way we look at the recurrence of these two numbers, we see the same law pervading the history. A few miscellaneous examples must suffice:--

• In Genesis 10 we have the scattering of the nations, and their division through the earth. It happened in the days of Peleg, the gematria of whose name is one Hundred and thirteen. The Scripture recording it (Genesis 10:25-29) = 10647 (13x63)
• Salah (Peleg's grandfather) was 338 (13²x2)
• When Uzziah apostatised (2Chronicles 26) it was after he had reigned 52 years (4x13)
• Jeroboam II had 40 years of prosperity, and then 12 of apostasy = 52 (4x13)
• Joash reigned 39 years (3x13), and then apostatised (2Chronicles 23, 24)
• In the 13th year of Josiah, Jeremiah began to prophesy against the apostasy of Judah.
• Cain has no chronology, and Saul has none, except the last year, which was the first of David's, and of which 13 is a factor.
• Solomon was 13 years building his own house, which was so full of apostasy. (But he was 7 years building the LORD's house.)