Meaning of Numbers: The Number 51
The English phrase "fifty and one," used for the number 51, is recorded 1 time in 1 King James Bible verse. The phrase is found in the book of Numbers.
The possible meaning of the number 51 is derived not only from writings in Scripture but also the history behind them.
Book number 51 in the KJV translation (and most modern translations) is Colossians. The Apostle Paul authored the book between 61 and 63 A.D. during his most productive writing period. During this time span he also penned the epistles to the Ephesians and Philippians as well as his letter to Philemon.
In 51 A.D. the Apostle Paul wrote 2Thessalonians, his second of fourteen books, while he was in Corinth during his second missionary journey.
The Apostle also turned 51 years old in 53 A.D., the year in which he began his third evangelistic journey to preach the gospel.
Appearances of Number Fifty-One
The Greek word sophia, Strong's Concordance #G4678, is found 51 times in 49 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in 1Corintians (17 times) followed by Luke and Colossians (6 each). The word refers to wisdom that can either be worldy or spiritual.
And when he (Jesus) was come into his own country (Nazareth), he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom (sophia), and these mighty works? (Matthew 13:54, KJV).
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom (sophia) of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent (1Corinthians 1:19, KJV).
Solomon's three books, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon, have 51 chapters total.
Verse 9 of Isaiah 51 is noted for being one of the references, in the King James translation, to dragons.
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord . . . Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
Dragons are mentioned thirteen times in the book of Revelation as well as in Job 30:29, Psalm 44:19 and other places.
The Greek amen, Strong's #G281, is recorded the most in the gospel of John with 51 occurences. John's writing almost always translates the word as "verily" with the exception of John 21:25.
Verily (amen), verily (amen), I (Jesus) say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man (verse 51 of John 1, KJV).
The Moon
The English word "moon" is written 51 times in 51 King James translation verses. It is recorded the most in the book of Psalms (9) followed by Isaiah (7) and then Revelation (4). During Joshua's "long day" not only did the sun stand still in the sky but also the moon!
Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies . . . (Joshua 10:12 - 13, KJV).
The book of Revelation prophesies that the light of the moon and the sun will no longer be needed in the New Jerusalem created by God.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23, KJV).
Number 51 and King David
Psalm 51 is one of the most heart-wrenching and contrite songs in all Scripture. Its profound meaning is derived from its author, King David, who wrote it shortly after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his adultery with Bathsheba.
David's illicit affair led him to arrange the murder of her husband Uriah in order to cover up his sin. David's repentance and earnest prayer for forgiveness for his gross sins is exemplified in the following verses.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin . . . Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow . . . (verses 1 - 2, 7 of Psalm 51).
Although forgiven, David's sin brought the consequences of internal strife within his household for the rest of his life (2Samuel 12:10 - 11).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 51
There are 12 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 51 times.
51 is the product of 3 x 17, both of which are prime numbers.
Ararat is the name of the mountain upon which Noah's Ark rested after the floodwaters resided (Genesis 8:4). Verse 27 of Isaiah 51, its only other mention in God's word, states that Ararat had become a kingdom! God called upon the kingdom, through Isaiah, to oppose Babylon (verses 24 to 26).
Elijah miraculously caused fire to come down from heaven on two sets of fifty-one men (a captain along with his fifty men). The men were sent by King Ahaziah who had previously been told by the prophet that he would die because he sought healing through a pagan deity and not from the true God (2Kings 1:9 - 10, 11 - 12).
Verse 51 of Matthew 27 reveals a miraculous and unique event that took place in Jerusalem's temple. This event is also recorded in Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45 and John 19:38.
And after crying out again with a loud voice, Jesus yielded up His spirit. Then suddenly the veil of the temple was ripped in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks were split . . . (Matthew 27:50 - 51, HBFV).
The veil of the temple, right after Jesus died, was ripped in two from top to bottom! This veil, which hung between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place in the temple, was at least 30 by 60 feet (9.1 by 18.2 meters) with a thickness of between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters). Its tearing, by the hand of God, symbolized that Jesus' death made possible direct access to God the Father.
The Greek word graphe, Strong's #G1124, is found 51 times in 51 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the gospel of John (12 times) followed by the book of Acts and Romans (7 each). books of . The word, which means "a document," is translated in the King James as "scripture" or its plural.
All scripture (graphe) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2Timothy 3:16 - 17, KJV).
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture (graphe) is of any private interpretation (2Peter 1:20, KJV).
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Exodus 12, Numbers 3, Joshua 19, 2Samuel 22, 1Kings 7 contain 51 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament, the chapters Matthew 24 and John 1 have 51 verses in the KJV.