Meaning of Numbers: The Number 10
The number 10, in the Bible, is used 242 times. The designation "10th" is used 79 times. Ten is also viewed as a complete and perfect numeral, as is 3, 7 and 12. It is made up of 4, which represents the physical creation, and 6, which symbolizes man. As such, the meaning of 10 is one of testimony, law, responsibility and the completeness of order.
We find, In Genesis 1, the phrase "God said" 10 times, which is a testimony of His creative power. God gave the Ten Commandments to man. Ten therefore represents man's responsibility to keep the commandments. A tithe is a 10th of our earnings and is a testimony of our faith in the Lord.
The Passover lamb was selected on day 10 of the 1st month (Exodus 12:3), as was Jesus, the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world (John 12:28 - 29; 1Corinthians 5:7). Day 10 of the 7th month is also the Holy Day known as the Day of Atonement. This unique day of fasting pictures the removal of Satan, the author of sin, before the millennial reign of Jesus begins (Revelation 20:1 - 2).
The last great world-ruling kingdom of man under Satan is symbolized prophetically by the 10 toes of Daniel 2 and the 10 horns of Revelation 13 and 17.
Appearances of the Number Ten
Ten generations of man lived on the earth before the flood waters came and swept away all those who were disobedient. Noah, the tenth generation, was 600 years when he and seven other family members entered the ark.
The patriarchs who preceded Noah are Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah and Lamech (who was Noah's father). Incredibly, the average age of these 10 patriarchs is 857 years! If we leave out the unusual circumstance of God transporting Enoch at the age of 365, we end up with an average lifespan of 912 years!
Most Quoted Books
The 10 Old Testament books most referred to in the New Testament are the following.
1) The book of Isaiah is referred to 419 times in twenty-three books.
2) The Psalms are referred to 414 times
3) Genesis is referred to 260 times
4) Exodus is referred to 250 times
5) Deuteronomy is referred to 208 times
6) Ezekiel is referred to 141 times
7) Daniel is referred to 133 times
8) Jeremiah is referred to 125 times
9) Leviticus is referred to 107 times
10) Numbers is referred to 73 times
Women Who Caused a Death
1) Sisera killed by a woman who drove a peg through his head (Judges 4:21)
2) Abimelech was killed by a woman who dropped a milestone on his head (Judges 9:52 - 53)
3) A woman caused Sheba's head to be cut off (2Samuel 20:1, 21 - 22)
4) A harlot accidentally rolls over and kills her infant child (1Kings 3:19)
5) Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, has the prophets of God killed (1Kings 18:4)
6) Jezebel has Naboth, who owned a vineyard her husband Ahab wanted, murdered (1Kings 21:9 - 10)
7) A starving women, in the besieged city of Samaria, boils and eats her son (2Kings 6:24 - 29)
8) Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah, has the entire royal seed killed (2Kings 11:1)
9) Esther has Haman's ten sons, which were enemies of the Jews, hanged (Esther 9:13 - 14)
10) The head of John the Baptist is requested of Herod, by Herodias, through her daughter (Matthew 14:8)
Number 10 and the Exodus
The 10 plagues God sent on ancient Egypt, in order to free his people, represented his complete and total judgment of the pagan empire.
1) The Nile River is turned into blood
2) Plague of Frogs
3) Plague of Lice
4) Swarms of Beasts
5) Plague on the Cattle
6) Boils
7) Great storm of hail, thunder and lightening
8) Locusts
9) Darkness over the entire land for three days
10) The death of the firstborn of both man and beast
The Most Mentioned
Which names are the most frequently recorded in the King James translation? The top 10 most written names, along with how many times they occur and how many verses they appear in, are the following.
1) David (1,139 times in 968 verses)
2) Jesus (984 times in 943 verses)
3) Moses (848 times in 784 verses)
4) Saul (425 times in 351 verses)
5) Jacob (377 times in 345 verses)
6) Aaron (352 times in 333 verses)
7) Solomon (306 times in 274 verses)
8) Abraham (250 times in 230 verses)
9) Joseph (250 times in 229 verses)
10) Joshua (216 times in 197 verses)
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 10
There are at least 10 books, mentioned in the Old Testament, which did not become part of the finalized Bible we read today. They are sometimes referred to as the lost books.
1) The Book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14).
2) The Book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; 2Samuel 1:18).
3) The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1Kings 11:41).
4) The Book of Nathan the Prophet (1Chronicles 29:29).
5) The Book of Gad the Seer (1Chronicles 29:29).
6) The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shiloite (2Chronicles 9:29).
7) The Visions of Iddo the Seer (2Chronicles 9:29).
8) The Book of Shemaiah the Prophet (2Chronicles 12:15).
9) The Book of Jehu the Son of Hanani (2Chronicles 20:34).
10) The Sayings of Hosai (2Chronicles 33:19).
There are 10 names that are repeated twice in a single scriptural verse in the King James. Four of these are in the Old Testament. They are Abraham (Genesis 22:11), Jacob (Genesis 46:2), Moses (Exodus 3:4) and Samuel (1Samuel 3:10). The other six are found in the New Testament. They are Martha (Luke 10:41), Simon (Luke 22:31), Lord (Matthew 7:21 - 22, Luke 6:46, etc.), Eli (Mark 15:34) and Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37).
And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I (Genesis 22:11, KJV).
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things . . . (Luke 10:41, KJV).