Meaning of Numbers: The Number 313
The possible meaning of the number 313 is derived from church history and the occurrence of certain words in Scripture's original languages and in modern translations.
313 A.D. was an important year in Christian year. It all began when Emperor Diocletian began his rule over the Roman Empire in 284 A.D. and then transitioned to ruling over the eastern part of the empire in 286. In 303 he issued edicts that effectively sought to stamp out Christianity through the power of the state.
"On February 23, 303, the day of the Roman feast of Terminalia, Diocletian issued an edict that all copies of Scripture were to be burned, all churches destroyed and their property confiscated. Meetings for Christian worship were forbidden. The next day additional measures were announced: Christians who resisted no longer would have legal recourse and were to be deprived of all honors and public office . . .
"A third edict ordered the arrest of Christian clergy . . . In nearly 304, an edict was posted insisting that everyone in the Roman Empire - clergy and laity alike - sacrifice to the Roman gods." (Complete Book of When and Where: In the Bible).
The persecutions which began in 303 were arguably the most severe suffered by Christians up to that time. Diocletian abdicated in 305 A.D. and was succeeded by Galerius. It was not until 311, the year Galerius died, that he issued the Edict of Serdica which allowed Christians to worship God in the eastern empire. Constantine's famous Edict of Milan, in 313, officially ended all persecution of Christians by the Roman state.
The church historian Eusebius recorded the words of Constantine's 313 A.D. edict as the following.
"We resolved . . . to grant both to the Christians and to all men freedom to follow the religion which they choose . . . For by this means . . . the divine favor toward us which we have already experienced in many matters will continue sure through all time."
Appearances of Number Three Hundred Thirteen
The English word "Lord" is recorded 313 times, in 282 verses, in the King James version of Leviticus. It is derived from the Hebrew word YHVH (Strong's #H3068) which is one of the many names and titles of God. The KJV, as well as many other translations, capitalizes LORD when the underlying Hebrew from which it is derived is (usually) YHVH (the Tetragrammaton). The word's 313th and last appearance in Leviticus is in its last verse.
These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai (Leviticus 27:34, KJV).
The Hebrew word melek, Strong's #H4428, occurs 383 times in 313 verses of the Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel). It is recorded the most in Jeremiah with 266 occurrences. The word refers to a king or otherwise royal ruler who can be physical or spiritual.
Then said I (Isaiah), Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King (melek), the Lord of hosts (Isaiah 6:5, KJV).
The English word "brethren" is found 333 times in 313 King James Old Testament verses. The book of Genesis contains the most occurrences (80) followed by 1Chronicles (77). Its first two uses in Scripture revolve around the sin Canaan committed against his grandfather Noah and the subsequent consequences of his actions.
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without . . . And he (Noah) said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren (Genesis 9:22, 25, KJV).
Entry 313 in the Greek definitions portion of Strong's Concordance is the word anagennao. Found only twice in the New Testament's original Greek, it is used both times by the Apostle Peter. The word means to produce again, to be born again, or to be born anew. Peter uses the word to denote the change God brings, through his Holy Spirit in Christians, that causes them to refocus their lives toward conforming to His will and obeying Him.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His abundant mercy, has begotten us again (anagennao) unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .
For you have been begotten again (anagennao), not from corruptible seed, but from incorruptible seed, by the living Word of God, which remains forever (1Peter 1:3, 23, HBFV).
Entreaties and the Number 313
The English word "pray" occurs 313 times in 306 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in the book of Genesis (48 times) followed by 1Samuel (26). Surprisingly, the word appears only 68 times in the entire New Testament. While "pray" can refer to the act of communicating with God, it many times references an entreaty with another person as seen in Genesis.
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren (Genesis 13:8, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 313
313 is the 65th prime number. It comes after primes 307 and 311 but before 317 and 331.
The English word "thee" appears 313 times, in 188 verses, in the King James prophetic book of Ezekiel. It first occurs during Ezekiel's famous "wheel within a wheel" vision where he sees the glory of God and the spiritual beasts who serve him. God then calls him to serve as a prophet.
And he (the Lord) said unto me (Ezekiel), Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee . . . (Ezekiel 2:1, KJV).