Meaning of Numbers: The Number 93
The English phrase "ninety and three," used for the number 93, is not recorded in the King James Bible.
The possible meaning of number 93 in the Bible is influenced by Paul's missionary journeys, the history of Israel before it had a king and the Psalms.
The Apostle Paul was able to travel with relative ease to Derbe, during his first missionary journey, using the then roughly fifty-year old Roman paved road called the Via Sebaste. The Via Sebaste ran through Pisidian Antioch to Iconium, a distance of about 93 miles (150 kilometers). It then ran from Iconium to Lystra to Derbe (Book of Acts in Its Graeco-Roman Setting, Volume 2, Chapter 10).
Appearances of Number Ninety-Three
The Hebrew word kerem (Strong's Concordance #H3754) is recorded 93 times in 82 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in Isaiah (14 times) followed by 1Kings (10) and Song of Solomon (9). It is a word always translated as "vineyard" in the King James Bible.
But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard (kerem), and with thy oliveyard (Exodus 23:11, KJV).
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards (kerem) (Ecclesiastes 2:4, KJV).
The Greek word phobeo (Strong's #G5399) appears 93 times in 90 Greek verses of the New Testament. It shows up the most in the book of Luke (23 times) followed by Matthew (17) and Acts (13). The word means to frighten, be alarmed, revere, be in awe of, fear or be afraid.
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid (phobeo) to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee (Matthew 2:22, KJV).
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth (phobeo) is not made perfect in love (1John 4:18, KJV).
Years of Oppression
Israel's first Judge, Joshua, died in 1380 B.C. From his death to the time when the last Judges, Samuel's two sons (1Samuel 8:1 - 2), completed their service in 1050 numbered 330 years. During this period the Israelites were oppressed by their enemies five distinct times totaling 93 years.
The 93 years of domination began with eight years under a Mesopotamia king (Judges 3:8) then eighteen under the Moabites more than forty years later (verses 11 - 14). They then were dominated by the Canaanites for twenty years until Deborah and Barak freed the people (Judges 4:3). Gideon, in 1145 B.C., was inspired to free God's people from a punishing Midianite-led coalition that lasted seven years (6:1).
The fifth and last period of Israel's ninety-three years of oppression was due to both the Philistines and the Ammonites. The Philistines oppressed the Israelites west of the Jordan for forty years (Judges 13:1). Within this period, the Ammonites primarily dominated the people east of the Jordan for eighteen of these years (Judges 10:6 - 8). With all of above, we have 8 + 18 + 20 + 7 + 40 = 93 years of domination by foreign powers.
Number 93 and the Psalms
Psalm 93, and the six others that follow it, were applied by Jews to the times of the Messiah. Its theme is God's supremacy in creation and providence. Additionally, from a Christian perspective, it offers allusions to Jesus' Millennial reign on the earth.
This Psalm (sometimes referred to as an enthronement of theocratic psalm) was likely written from 1010 to 970 B.C. by priests serving under King David. Other songs with the same general theme as this one include Psalms 47 and 95 to 99.
Psalm 93 declares the Lord reigns gloriously, powerfully, eternally and with perfect majesty. It is his throne, and nothing else, that preserves and keeps the world even though it is invisibly hung in space (see Job 26:7).
The Lord reigns; He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength. He clothed Himself and the world also is established; it shall not be moved. Your throne is established of old; You are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voices; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the thunders of many waters, yea, mightier than the mighty waves of the sea. Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house forever, O Lord (Psalm 93, HBFV).
God Uses Demon to Kill Ahab
The Hebrew word achab, Strong's #H256, is recorded 93 times in 81 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of 1Kings (44) followed by 2Kings (27) and then 2Chronicles (14). The word, which means "father's brother" or "friend of his father," is translated as the name "Ahab" in the King James.
The most famous Ahab of Scripture was the eighth king of Israel after the united kingdom had split in 930 B.C. Ahab, who ruled from 874 to 853 B.C., is easily considered one of, if not the worst, ruler over Israel. It took nothing less than Elijah, a man considered the archetype of all prophets (Matthew 17;1 - 3), to challenge not only his wicked ways but also those of his evil wife Jezebel.
One day God finally decides he had had enough of Ahab. The Lord then solicits, from his glorious throne in heaven, suggestions on how Ahab could be enticed so that he dies in Ramothgilead. After a plethora of ideas, a demonic spirit offers his service to deceive Ahab's prophets into predicting a victory for the king (2Chronicles 18:5, 9 - 12). God approves of the idea, which ultimately leads to Ahab's death at the hands of Syria's king (verses 29 - 34).
And the Lord (in heaven) said, Who shall entice Ahab (achab) king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets . . . (2Chronicles 18:19 - 21, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 93
There are 11 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 93 times.
93 is the product of 3 x 31. Both 3 and 31 are prime numbers.
Psalm 93, as well as Psalms 15, 43, 70, 125 and 127 contains only five verses. These, however, are not the smallest sections of this famous book of songs. Psalm 123 has four verses while Psalms 131, 133 and 134 contain three. The smallest, however, which numbers just 33 words in the King James Bible, is Psalm 117 at two verses!
Psalm 119 is the only Biblical chapter that at least ninety-three verses. The ninety-third verse of this Psalm affirms that God's law, in spite of those who think it has been "done away with," is the foundation of true living.
I will never forget Your precepts, for with them You have given me life (Psalm 119:93, HBFV).
The Greek word pous (Strong's #G4228) appears 93 times in 86 Greek New Testament verses. It is written the most in the book of Acts (19 times) followed by Luke (18) and then John (14). The word is used to reference either a foot or the feet of man or beast.
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot (pous) against a stone (Matthew 4:6, KJV).
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet (pous) of the angel which shewed me these things (Revelation 22:8, KJV).