The number 38 is not one of the most frequently mentioned numbers in the Bible, but its occurrences hold significant meaning when understood in a biblical context. Numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic significance, offering insights into divine principles, historical events, and spiritual truths. The number 38 is one of those numbers that can be seen as a representation of time, endurance, healing, and divine purpose.
This page will explore the biblical meaning of the number 38, focusing on its appearances and the lessons it imparts to readers.
Biblical Significance of Numbers
Before delving into the meaning of the number 38, it’s essential to understand that numbers in the Bible are not just random figures but often carry deep spiritual symbolism. Numbers in Scripture are frequently used to convey God‘s messages, and each number can represent various themes and characteristics.
The Number 3 is associated with divine completeness and the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
The Number 7 is a number of spiritual perfection, often connected to creation and rest.
The Number 40 often symbolizes testing, trial, and purification.
Each number, including 38, has its own nuanced significance. While the number 38 is not as commonly discussed as numbers like 7 or 12, it has its own unique role within biblical narratives.
Occurrences of the Number 38 in the Bible
The number 38 appears in a few significant places in Scripture, most notably in the Gospel of John and the Book of Numbers. These instances provide us with clues as to its symbolic and spiritual meaning.
1. The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9)
One of the most important and well-known references to the number 38 comes in the Gospel of John. In John 5:1-9, Jesus heals a man who had been ill for 38 years: “Now there is in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’” (John 5:2-6 ESV)
In this passage, the man had been suffering from an illness for 38 years. This number highlights the prolonged period of affliction and pain. The significance of 38 years can be seen as a symbol of the long wait for healing, redemption, and deliverance. Jesus’ healing of the man illustrates the power of God’s grace to bring immediate and complete restoration, even after a prolonged period of suffering.
Spiritual Insight: The 38 years can represent the length of time one may endure suffering or spiritual stagnation before receiving divine intervention. This passage emphasizes that no matter how long a person has been in need or suffering, Jesus has the power to heal and restore them.
2. The Israelites’ Wanderings in the Wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34)
Another significant reference to the number 38 occurs in the Book of Numbers. In Numbers 14:33-34, God decrees that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for 38 years as punishment for their unbelief and rebellion: “And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.” (Numbers 14:33-34 ESV)
While the number 40 is often seen in relation to testing and trials (e.g., the 40 years in the wilderness, the 40 days of Jesus’ temptation), the specific mention of 38 years in this context refers to a portion of the Israelites’ punishment. These 38 years were part of a larger 40-year period where the Israelites were denied entry into the promised land due to their lack of faith.
Spiritual Insight: The number 38 here may symbolize a period of spiritual delay or prolonged discipline. It highlights the consequences of disobedience and the waiting period before entering into the fullness of God’s promises. This period is marked by loss, wandering, and unfulfilled potential, all stemming from the Israelites’ failure to trust in God’s plan.
Theological and Symbolic Meaning of the Number 38
The number 38 can be interpreted in several ways from a theological and symbolic perspective. Below are some of the key spiritual meanings attributed to this number in light of the biblical examples mentioned above.
1. A Period of Prolonged Suffering
The reference to the 38 years of the sick man at the pool of Bethesda emphasizes the idea of extended suffering. The man had waited nearly four decades for healing, which speaks to the difficulty of prolonged physical and spiritual affliction. However, this period of suffering also points to God’s ultimate healing and restoration, reminding believers that God can bring transformation even after long periods of hardship.
Application: For those struggling with long-term challenges or issues that seem insurmountable, the number 38 may serve as a reminder of God’s ability to heal, restore, and renew—no matter how long the trial has lasted.
2. The Consequence of Faithlessness and Disobedience
In the case of the Israelites, the 38 years of wandering in the wilderness were a direct result of their rebellion and lack of faith. This suggests that the number 38 could also represent the consequences of disobedience and the delay of God’s promises when people fail to walk in faith.
Application: For believers today, the number 38 can serve as a cautionary symbol, urging them to remain faithful to God’s commands. Disobedience or lack of trust in God’s plan can lead to unnecessary delays or wandering in life.
3. A Symbol of Divine Mercy and Redemption
Despite the significant years of suffering and punishment, the ultimate message of both stories involving the number 38 is one of mercy and restoration. Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda, and the Israelites, though they wandered, were eventually brought to the brink of the Promised Land. The number 38, in this light, symbolizes God’s ability to restore and redeem what was lost or delayed.
Application: In times of waiting or seeming loss, the number 38 can be a reminder that God’s mercy can bring healing and restoration, even after long periods of waiting or wandering.
Conclusion
Though the number 38 is not one of the most commonly discussed numbers in the Bible, its occurrences provide rich theological and spiritual lessons. Whether representing prolonged suffering, the consequences of disobedience, or the power of divine healing, the number 38 calls attention to important themes of endurance, faith, and God’s restorative power. As we reflect on the biblical use of the number 38, it serves as a reminder that God can transform even the longest seasons of suffering into opportunities for healing, redemption, and fulfillment of His promises.
You Might Be Interested In:
