Meaning of Numbers: The Number 63
The English phrase "threescore and three," used for the number 63, is not recorded in the King James Bible.
The possible meaning of the number 63 is derived from both history and events in Scripture.
The Greek word Agapao, Strong's #G25, is recorded 63 times in 47 verses of the original language version of the gospels. Agapao, which is usually translated as the English word "love" or "loved" in the King James translation, is one of a few types of love described in God's word. Not surprisingly, John's gospel uses this Greek word the most with 37 occurrences.
For God so loved (agapao) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16, KJV).
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (agapao), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (John 19:26, KJV).
2John, written between 63 and 64 A.D., is the sixty-third book found in most modern translations. It is the third, chronologically, of Apostle John's five manuscripts included as part of the New Testament Scriptures.
Appearances of Number Sixty-Three
2John is unique in that it contains the fewest number of verses of any book in Scripture with only 13 found in a single chapter. John's fourth writing, 3John, contains only 14 verses.
Only the books of Psalms and Isaiah have more than 63 chapters.
The sixth most mentioned animal in God's word is fish. The word "fish" and "fishes" are found a total of 63 times in 58 King James verses. The words are found the most in the gospel of John (8 times) followed by Luke and Ezekiel (7 each).
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Genesis 1:26, KJV).
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds (John 19:26, KJV).
Roman troops, in 63 B.C., led by General Pompey, occupy the Holy Land in the name of the Roman Republic. The Republic attacks and conquers Jerusalem.
The English word "Balaam" is found 63 times in 59 King James verses. It is recorded the most in the book of Numbers (53 times). Balaam was a Midianite man who, although he possessed the gift of prophecy, often indulged in pursuing unrighteousness.
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2Peter 2:15, KJV, see also Jude 1:11).
The Number 63 and Paul
The Apostle Paul was sixty-three years old in 65 A.D. In this year he was in the middle of his fifth and final missionary journey, preaching the gospel in Spain (Romans 15:22 - 24, 28) and (likely) Britain. The island of Britain was conquered by the Roman Empire in 43 A.D. under Emperor Claudius and established as the province of Britannia.
But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you (in Rome), I plan to do so when I go to Spain . . . So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way (Romans 15:23 - 24, 28, NIV).
Paul, in 63 A.D., wrote the books of 1Timothy and Titus. They were his twelfth and thirteenth writings in the Bible out of a total number of fourteen. His last writing was 2Timothy.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 63
The Greek word Galilaia, Strong's Concordance #G1056, is found 63 times in 62 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the gospel of John (17 times) followed by Matthew (16) and Luke (15). The word, which means "circuit," is translated as "Galilee" in the King James.
The region called Galilee was composed primarily of territory given to the tribe of Naphtali as a Promised Land inheritance. New Testament cities within this area include Nazareth (Luke 1:26), Nain (Luke 7:11), Cana (John 2), Chorazin (Matthew 11:21), Capernaum (Matthew 4:13), Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34) and others.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee (galilaia) to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him (Matthew 3:13, KJV).
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee (galilaia), and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus (John 12:21, KJV).
There are 12 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 63 times.
63 is the product of 3 x 3 (3 squared) x 7. Both 3 and 7 are prime numbers.
63 is also the sum of the first six powers of 2 (2 to the 0 power) + (2 to the 1st power) + (2 x 2) + (2 x 2 x 2) + (2 x 2 x 2 x 2) + (2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2) or 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Joshua 15 and Ezekiel 16 contain 63 verses in the King James Bible.
The role of High Priest, since its inception under Moses, was a responsibility appointed for life. It was a position reserved strictly to the descendants of Aaron (Exodus 29:9, 29, Numbers 25:12 - 13). This changed, however, when Herod the Great conquered Jerusalem in 37 B.C. and made the office a political appointment.
63 A.D. was a unique year in terms of the High Priesthood. In this year Herod Agrippa II, the great-grandson of Herod the Great, appointed four different priests! Joseph Cabi was the High Priest at the start of the year but was replaced by Ananus. He was soon replaced by Jesus son of Damneus. Before the end of 63, however, Joshua the son of Gamaliel was named the new priest!
The book of Acts, chapters 14 to 28, was written by Luke in 63 A.D. This completed his writing of the Acts of the Apostles.
Jewish tradition regarding angels and their responsibilities assigns a rather interesting job to 63 of these spirits.
"Besides these, sixty-three (63) angels are mentioned as JANITORS of the seven heavens ("Hekalot," xv.; Jellinek," B. H." iii. et seq.) . . ." (1906 Jewish Encyclopedia article on Angelology).
The seven heavens being referenced in the above quote are called Velon, Riqia, Shechaqim, Zebhul, Maon, Machon and Araboth.