From my research and study, I have concluded that the number 16 associates itself throughout the Bible with love, covenant, and marriage. Through this blog I will explain where my support comes from, the Hebrews write out the number 16 with the Hebrew letters Yod-Yav when these letters are written out they signify “the hand (outworking) of the nail, which joins the hearts of two people as one” (Jones, p.10).
If you look at I Corinthians 13:4-8 Apostle Paul lead by the Holy Spirit lists 16 attributes of love. I Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT “4 Love is patient (1) and kind (2). Love is not jealous (3) or boastful (4) or proud (5) 5 or rude (6). It does not demand its own way (7). It is not irritable (8), and it keeps no record of being wronged (9). 6 It does not rejoice about injustice (10) but rejoices whenever the truth wins out (11). 7 Love never gives up (12), never loses faith (13), is always hopeful (14), and endures through every circumstance (15). 8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever (16)! Amazing!
In Exodus 26:25 NLT “25 So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases two bases under each frame.” What do eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle set in sixteen silver bases under each frame have in common with love? Great question let's find out! This instruction was given to Moses by God specifically for how the Tabernacle is to be built. The Tabernacle became the place for where God's presence dwelt amongst His people, but it also became the place where God could have communion with His people to display His love for them, and in return, the Israelites would go to the Tabernacle to display their love for Him! The Tabernacle also represents the Covenant that God has made with Israel.
The sockets held the boards in place and gave the tabernacle stability, but today God indwells in us we are His temple or tabernacle. Paul alludes to this in Eph. 3:17-19 (Jones, p.12). Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT “17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (these are the sixteen silver bases). 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Now the Covenant is no longer in the Tabernacle as a building, but now the Covenant resides in each person’s heart who chooses to believe in Christ.
Another scripture that points to 16 as the number of love, covenant, and marriage is in Genesis 7:7-9 NLT “7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood he and his wife and his sons and their wives. 8 With them were all the various kinds of animals those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground. 9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.” This passage reveals the 16th time Noah’s name is mentioned in Genesis (Jones, p.12). With the 16th mention of Noah’s name, it comes with the declaration of God’s plan for reproduction through a husband and wife and between male and female creatures. (Genesis 1:28). “Does this not speak of love and marriage? Even all the animals went in by twos, male and female” (Jones, p.12, 2008).
If you look closely and count the number of times the Greek word “agape” (divine love) is used throughout the Gospel of John, it adds ups to sixteen times (John, p.12, 2008).
Also, again in I John the 16th time that word “love” is used is in I John 4:18 (The Bible Study Site, p.3, n.d.). I John 4:18 NLT “18 Such love (16th time) has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” This passage is important because the Apostle John is telling us that “agape” love has no fear agape love expels all fear from a Christian. Christian, you are no longer a slave to fear you are a child of God! You are a Son or Daughter of the King and if you allow His love to equip your spirit, soul, and body and if you put on His love each day by being strong and courageous then His perfect love will expel all fear from you! Why? Because you now know the authority, and power that His love possesses over fear!
These are just some of the examples I have chosen to display my support for the number 16 as the number of love, covenant, and marriage there are much more throughout the Bible, but I hope that this study has been helpful to you. I hope that it makes you come to realize that numbers are influential throughout the Scriptures, and you will benefit from examining their meanings because biblical numerology is part of the key to receiving and understanding a deeper revelation of God’s Word.
I challenge you this year to have faith that God’s love and the love of human companionship either through your family, friends, fellowship with other believers, or marriage will come upon you and lead you to a more profound love of Christ and also a deeper love for yourself. I will leave you with two things: 1. Jesus loves you and is always ready and willing to give you His love. 2. A statement from Jesus “37 Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT). Check out the link I have posted at the end of this blog. The link will lead you to a song by Bethel Music called No Longer Slaves enjoy :)!
If you have never accepted Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, and you would like to do so just say Lord Jesus come into my heart, I believe You died for my sins. I believe that God raised You from the dead on the third day I am Yours, and You are mine forevermore in Jesus name we pray amen! What now? Pick up a Bible starting reading the Gospel of John, find a church that teaches God's Word, grow in Christ, and begin to Serve Him!
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