Twenty

From: The Numerals Of Scripture By: Edward C. Pressland

• 2 min. read • grade level: 10

In looking at other higher numbers which are the multiples of different lower ones, it is well to remember that such may be variously produced. Thus, 20 might be 2 tens, or 4 fives, and guard must be well observed, lest any mere caprice of thought should be allowed, not to profit.

In one connection, the number 20 is divided into 4 fives specially. In the "oracle" of Solomon's temple, which was 20 cubits wide, stood the two cherubim made of olive wood, and overlaid with gold. These suggest man (wood) glorified in Christ (gold), but as cherubim (the executive) 10 cubits high (responsible before God) seen in a governmental character, looking outwards, i.e. toward the world. Their wings are spread, as if about to fly, indicating motive energy and readiness. But their 4 wings, each 5 cubits long, together stretch right across the oracle, and thus the division of its 20 cubits is given. The 4 wings may tell of completeness on earth, the 5 cubits long, of responsibility towards man, and then, as equal to the Holiest (20 cubits), the value of the 20 will be seen in this connection, not so much as 2 tens, but as 4 fives. And in the Millennium the ministry to the world by the glorified Church will be complete and accurate, both according to man's need as man and according to the width of the oracle—the display of the presence of God. (It does not follow from this that all other 20's in Scripture must be so divided, though they may be.)

In 2 Kings 4:42⁴²And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. (2 Kings 4:42), the man from Baal-shalisha brought 20 loaves of barley to Elisha for the people. These loaves with the "full ears" could be a testimony to a risen Christ for our present need. Why 20? As 4 fives, it suggests completeness on earth, in the proper energy of the bearer's responsibility to his fellowman. When preaching now, do we so present Christ?

The numbering of males from 20 years old and upward (Ex. 30:12¹²When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. (Exodus 30:12)) seems connected with these two meanings of 4 and 5, for at that age their responsibility in the camp was both begun and completely shown before all.

Some uses of 20 are not so clear and need study.

Thus, (1 Sam. 14:14¹⁴And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armorbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. (1 Samuel 14:14)) Jonathan and his armor bearer slew at the first about 20 men.

2 Sam. 2:30³⁰And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. (2 Samuel 2:30), "nineteen men and Asahel" were lacking.

2 Sam. 3:20²⁰So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. (2 Samuel 3:20), Abner took 20 men with him to Hebron.

Judg. 15:20²⁰And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years. (Judges 15:20), Samson judged Israel 20 years.

Judg. 4:3³And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. (Judges 4:3), Jabin oppressed Israel 20 years.

Judg. 11:33³³And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. (Judges 11:33), Jephthah smote 20 cities of Ammon.

1 Sam. 7:2²And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. (1 Samuel 7:2), the ark abode at Kirjath-jearim 20 years.

2 Sam. 19:17¹⁷And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. (2 Samuel 19:17), Ziba had 20 servants.

1 Kings 9:11¹¹(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. (1 Kings 9:11), Solomon gave Hiram 20 cities. Ezek. 4:10¹⁰And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it. (Ezekiel 4:10), Ezekiel's meat was 20 shekels daily.