Meaning of Numbers: The Number 101
The English phrase "hundred and one," used for the number 101, is not recorded in the King James translation.
The possible meaning of the number 101 is derived primary from the occurrence of words and from Noah's Flood.
The Hebrew word meat, Strong's #H4592, occurs 101 times in 97 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in Genesis (11 times) followed by the Psalms and Proverbs with 10 occurrences each. It usually refers to a little or few of something, with its first use recorded when Abraham entertained Jesus in the flesh accompanied by two angels!
And he (Abraham) lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door . . . (and he said) Let a little (meat) water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree (Genesis 18:2, 4, HBFV).
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few (meat) (Ecclesiastes 5:2, KJV).
Hebrew raab, Strong's #H7458, is also recorded 101 times in 88 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is written the most in Jeremiah (33 times) followed by Genesis (24) and then Ezekiel (14). The word refers to hunger or dearth and is usually translated as "famine" in the King James Bible. Its first two Scriptural uses involved Abraham.
And there was a famine (raab) in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine (raab) was grievous in the land (Genesis 12:10, KJV).
And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine (raab) prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's (Genesis 47:20, KJV).
The Greek kalos, Strong's #G2570, is used 101 times in the New Testament. It is recorded the most in the gospel of Matthew (21 times) followed by 1Timothy (17) and then Mark (11). The word can refer to something that is beautiful, virtuous, excellent, precious, commendable or admirable. It is usually translated as "good" in the King James Bible.
But we know that the law is good (kalos), if a man use it lawfully (1Timothy 1:8, KJV).
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good (kalos) fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Matthew 3:10, KJV).
Psalms and Number One Hundred One
Psalm 101 is one of mercy and justice that encourages people to live with a clean conscience while warning those with a perverse heart will be rejected. The Biblical commentary "The Treasury of David" speculates this song may have been written just before David became king.
I will behave myself wisely in a blameless way. O when will You come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. I have hated the work of those who turn aside . . .
He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not remain in my sight (Verses 2 - 3 and 7 of Psalm 101).
Number 101 and the Flood
Eber was the great-grandson of worldwide flood survivor Shem (Genesis 11:10 - 14). At the age of thirty-four, 101 years after the flood took place in 2313 B.C., he had a firstborn son named Peleg. In Hebrew Peleg's name means division or earthquake (Strong's #H6389). Scripture makes the following interesting statement about him that may hint at when the earth's landmasses became separated.
And Eber begat two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, FOR IN HIS DAYS THE EARTH WAS DIVIDED . . . (Genesis 10:25, HBFV).
Noah's flood likely enabled massive amounts of water, in the form of ice, to form in the earth's Polar Regions. This ice would have provided a traversable connection between continents for the first few generations after the deluge.
As the ice melted, however, these bridges would have disappeared. Rising sea levels, also caused by the melting ice, would have separated still other landmasses by submerging their land bridges. These events, less than 101 years after the flood, may have been how Peleg got his name!
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 101
There are 7 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 101 times.
The English word "prince" is written 105 times in 101 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in Ezekiel (29 times) followed by the book of Numbers (24) then Daniel (17). The word, in the Old Testament, is usually derived from nasiy (Strong's #H5387) which means an exalted one, king, sheik, captain, governor or ruler. In the New Testament it comes from archon (Strong's #G758) which can refer to a magistrate or prince.
And he (God in the flesh) said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince (nasiy) hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince (archon) of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood . . . (Revelation 1:5, KJV).
God commanded ancient Israel, ever seven years, to observe what is known as a Sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:1 - 7, 19 - 23). One of these special years began on September 26 in 102 B.C. and ended on September 13 in 101 B.C.
This number is often used in class names to designate the beginners or entry-level course of a subject such as "Astronomy 101."
101 is the sum of five primes (13 + 17 + 19 + 23 + 29). This number is also the 26th prime. The primes before it are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89 and 97.
According to the Free Dictionary, more books are now published with a title that begins with the number 101 (such as "101 Ways to . . .") than with 100. This is likely a marketing technique used to entice sales by offering something "a little extra."
The Hebrew word qatan, Strong's #H6996, is recorded 101 times in 100 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is recorded the most in Genesis (20 times) followed by 1Samuel (13) and then Jeremiah (8). The word refers to that which is considered small, young, unimportant or insignificant. It is commonly translated as "youngest," "small," "little" or similiar word in the King James.
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small (qatan) as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it (Deuteronomy 1;17, KJV).
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest (qatan), and, behold, he (David) keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither (1Samuel 16:11, KJV).