Meaning of Numbers: The Number 156
The possible meaning of the number 156 is derived from the occurrences of certain words in the Bible's original languages.
The Greek word charis, Strong's #G5485, is written 156 times in 147 Greek New Testament verses. It appears the most in the book of Romans (25 times) followed by 2Corinthians (18) and then the book of Acts (16). The word means merciful kindness, favor or grace.
And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we ourselves beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten with the Father), full of grace (charis) and truth . . .
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace (charis) upon grace (charis) (John 1:14, 16, KJV).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Fifty-Six
Goliath was the Philistine giant who fought and lost to a young King David. He was roughly 9 feet 3 inches tall (2.82 meters) and wore a protective coat of mail that weighed 5,000 shekels (1Samuel 17:5). This is equivalent to weighing between 78 to 156 U.S. pounds (35.4 to 70.8 kilograms)!
The Greek word histemi, Strong's Concordance #G2476, is recorded 156 times in 152 Greek New Testament verses. It is recorded the most in the book of Acts (35 times) followed by Luke (25) and then Revelation (22). The word means to stand, to appoint, to establish, to place or to make something firm.
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing (histemi) here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom (Matthew 16:28, KJV).
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand (histemi) before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12, KJV).
Peter and the Number 156
The Apostle Peter's name appears 162 times in 156 verses in the King James Bible. He is found the most in Acts (58 times) followed by John (34) and then Matthew (24). His name is found in eight New Testament books. This is in contrast to Paul's name, which is recorded 163 times in 159 verses. Paul is mentioned in fifteen New Testament books.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers (Matthew 4:18, KJV).
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ (2Peter 1:1, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 156
There are 3 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 156 times.
The English word "beasts" is recorded 156 times in the King James Bible. The word refers to four-footed animals like cattle, sheep, goats and so on.
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts (Exodus 11:5, KJV).
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind (James 3:7, KJV).
The Hebrew word sheniy, Strong's Concordance #H8145, is recorded 156 times in 151 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in Exodus (26 times) followed by 1Chronicles (18) and the book of Numbers (15).
Sheniy refers to something that is double or second (double the number one). It is often translated as "second" in the King James, but can also be translated as "other" or "another."
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second (sheniy) day (Genesis 1:8, KJV).
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second (sheniy) month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened (Genesis 7:11, KJV).
156 is the product of 2 x 2 (2 squared) x 3 x 13. 2, 3 and 13 are all prime numbers.
The English phrase "hundred and fifty and six," used for the number 156, is recorded 1 time in 1 King James Bible verse. The verse in question is 1Chronicles 9:9.
The Gematria of Joseph's name (yoseph in Hebrew, Strong's Concordance #H3130) is 156 (10 + 6 + 60 + 80).