Meaning of Numbers: The Number 61
The English phrase "threescore and one," used for the number 61, is recorded 3 times in 3 King James Bible verses.
The meaning of number 61 in the Bible is directly related to the amazing foretelling of the start of Jesus' public ministry! Isaiah 61, written between 740 and 686 B.C. records the following remarkable and glorious prophecy.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me because the Lord has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn (verses 1 - 2 of Isaiah 61).
The phrase "acceptable year of the Lord" references the Jubilee year which is declared every fiftieth year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 25:10, 39 - 40, see also chapter 27).
Jesus, while preaching in Nazareth on the Day of Pentecost, astonished the crowd by proclaiming Isaiah's 700+ year prophecy was being fulfilled as he was speaking (Luke 4:17 - 18, 21)!
The residents of Nazareth, who had known Jesus all his life, had a hard time accepting that Isaiah 61 was referencing him. After the Lord chided them for their unwillingness to believe the truth (Luke 4:23 - 27), they tried to murder him by forcing him off a cliff (verses 28 - 30)!
Appearances of Number Sixty-One
The Greek word thronos (Strong's #G2362) is recorded 61 times in the original language of the New Testament. It is found by far the most in Revelation (46 times) followed by Matthew (5). The word refers to a seat of power, kingly authority or a throne. It usually is used in reference to God or Jesus Christ as a sign of their divine rulership over all things.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne (thronos) of his glory (Matthew 25:31, KJV).
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne (thronos) of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him (Revelation 22;3, KJV).
Psalm 61 was written by King David during a time he felt burdened and in need of God's aid.
From the end of the earth I cry to You when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock higher than me, for You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower against the enemy.
So I will sing praise to Your name forever, so that I may daily perform my vows (verses 2 - 3, 8).
Number 61 and Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul is 61 years old in 63 A.D. In the early spring of this year, after spending two years in one of Rome's prisons awaiting trial, he is acquitted of all charges and is set free. He immediately embarks to the island of Crete to confer with Titus (Titus 1:5) and then sails to Nicopolis (Titus 1:5, 3:12). He then begins his fifth and final missionary journey by traveling to Spain (Romans 15:22 - 24, 28) and possibly Britain.
Paul, after a harrowing journey through a fierce Mediterranean storm and being shipwrecked, finally makes it to Rome in the early spring of 61 A.D. He is taken to the capital city to have the case against him heard by Caesar (Acts 25:10 - 12).
The two years Paul spent awaiting trial proves to be his most productive as during this period he writes the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon and Hebrews!
The most productive writing period during the Apostle Paul's ministry took place between 61 and 63 A.D. During this time, while awaiting trial in one of Rome's prisons, he penned the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1Timothy and Titus!
People in Scripture
The Hebrew word abram (Strong's Concordance #H87) is recorded 61 times in the original language of the Old Testament. 59 of its occurrences are written in the book of Genesis. Abram, which means "high father," was Abraham's name before God changed it when he made a covenant with him promising to give him countless descendants! Sarai's name was also changed at the time to Sarah.
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly . . .
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee (Genesis 17;1 - 2, 5, KJV).
The Hebrew word bilam, Strong's Concordance #H1109, is recorded 61 times in 57 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in Numbers (53 times) followed by Joshua (3). The word, which means "not of the people" or "foreigner" is translated as the name "Balaam" in the King James.
Balaam was a Midianite who had the gift of prophecy. He was asked by Moabite king Balak to curse Israel as they wandered the wilderness. God then warned the prophet, through a miraculously talking horse, not to curse his people! Balaam ends up blessing the Israelites. He is ultimately killed when the Israelites, before the enter the Promised Land, destroy Midian in battle.
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam (bilam), and spake unto him the words of Balak (Numbers 22:7, KJV).
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam (bilam) against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing (Nehemiah 13:2, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 61
The English phrase "threescore and one," used for the number 61, is found twice in the book of Numbers and once in Ezra.
There are 15 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 61 times.
61 is the 18th prime number. Those that come before it include 47, 53 and 59, and those that come immediately after it include 67, 71 and 73.
God has Moses carry out a war against Midian for their role in leading the Israelites into idolatry and licentious behavior (see Num. 25, 31). The war booty Israel takes from their enemy amounts to a huge amount of sheep, cattle, donkeys and other possessions (Numbers 31). One of the tributes dedicated to the Lord was 61 donkeys taken from the booty allocated to the soldiers (Num. 31:39).
No chapters in Scripture contain exactly 61 verses. The only books that have more than sixty-one chapters are the Psalms and the book of Isaiah.
The book of 2Peter, written between 65 and 66 A.D., numbers exactly 61 verses. Coincidently, the sixty-first book in the King James, and the majority of modern Bible translations, is 2Peter as well!