The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 14

The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 14

Being a multiple of 7, 14 partakes of its importance and, being double that number, implies a double measure of spiritual perfection. The number two with which it is combined (2×7) may, however, bring its own significance into its meaning, as it does in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2×7) generations, two being associated with incarnation.

How is the number fourteen linked with Jesus’ ancestors?

There are three sets of 14 generations between (and including) Abraham to Joseph (husband of Mary).

Abraham  –  Isaac  –  Jacob  –  Judah 
Perez  –  Hezron  –  Ram  –  Amminadab 
Nahshon  –  Salmon  –  Boaz  –  Obed 
Jesse  –  King David

King David  –  Solomon  –  Rehoboam 
Abijah  –  Asa  –  Jehoshaphat  –  Joram 
Uzziah  –  Jotham  –  Ahaz  –  Hezekiah 
Manasseh  –  Amon  –  Josiah (captivity)

Josiah (captivity)  –  Jeconiah  –  Shealtiel 
Zerubbabel  –  Abiud  –  Eliakim  –  Azor 
Zadok  –  Achim  –  Eliud  –  Eleazar 
Matthan  –  Jacob  –  Joseph

“So all the generations from Abraham to David are FOURTEEN generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are FOURTEEN generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are FOURTEEN generations.” (Matthew 1:1 – 17, NKJV)

The number 14 and the fear of the Lord

In the Book of Proverbs the expression “the fear of the Lord” occurs 14 times: Proverbs 1:7, 29, 2:5, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26, 27, 15:16, 33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17.

Additional commentary on the Biblical Meaning of 14

The number 14 represents deliverance or salvation and is used twenty-two times in the Bible. The term “14th” is found 24 times in scriptures.

The fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover, when God delivered the firstborn of Israel from death. Some 430 years earlier, on the night of the 14th day of the first month, God made two covenant promises to Abraham — one of the physical seed, Isaac, and his descendants, and one of the spiritual seed, Jesus Christ, and the sons of God who would come through Him, who would shine like the stars of heaven (Matthew 13:43). On the day portion of the 14th, God confirmed the promises with a special covenant sacrifice.

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’ But Abram said, ‘Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ . . .

“And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’ Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be'” (Genesis 15:1 – 2, 4 – 5, NKJV).

On the 14th day of the first month in 30 A.D. Jesus Christ, God manifested in the flesh, the only begotten Son of God the Father, and the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, was crucified as the perfect sacrifice to save mankind from sin. Jesus’ death on Passover completed His ministry in the flesh.

Seven represents completion – thus 7 + 7 = 14, indicating a double completion:

1. Jesus’ ministry in the flesh was completed.
2. Jesus’ sacrifice ended or fulfilled the need for animal sacrifices.