What Does the Number 11 Mean In the Bible?
There are many numbers that appear in the Christian Bible, and they are not only used yo quantify information or quantify objects. No, they also have a particular biblical meaning and significance! This brings greater depth to the text if you are able to understand the different meanings of the numbers and other symbols. For example, the number 11 is one such number that pops up and has a special meaning, beyond just its numerical value. Read on to learn more about the number 11, as well as how it is significant in the Bible and its many appearances in the text, too.
Meaning of the Number 11 In the Bible
Most important is the meaning of the number 11, because if you do not understand the meaning of the number, you may not fully understand the significance of its appearances in the Bible. The number 11 can have a few different meanings, though they are still related. It can mean judgment, chaos, or disorder– or some combination of the three. The number 11 comes right after the number 10, which serves to represent order in the Christian Bible. 11 means the complete opposite of this– the irresponsibility that is breaking God’s Law, which will then result in and bring disorder and judgment.
A perfect example of the breaking of the Law and its results is in the story of Babel. This occurred in Genesis 11, hence the symbolism of the number 11 here. This is when the men rebelled against God and created the Tower of Babel. To punish them for their disobedience and the flagrant disregard of the Law, God mixed up their language and wrought judgment upon them. This then led to confusion and utter chaos as people were no longer able to communicate freely with each other in the same language. We will go into greater detail on the appearances of the number further in the article.
Appearances of the Number 11 in the Bible
There are plenty more appearances of the number 11 in the text of the Bible, further reiterating its biblical meaning. For instance, one of these is that there are 11 kings or other officials of high rank who were offended when told the truth by a disciple of God. Some of these men were the Pharaoh of Egypt, King Jeroboam and King Ahab of Israel, and King Balak of Moab. The others were Kings Asa, Zedekiah, Joash, Uzziah, and Jehoiakim of Judah, as well as the captain of the Syrian army, Naaman, and Herod Antipas.
11 is prevalent in the gospel of John, where he has recorded 11 different and special promises. These are as follows:
- Those who believe in God and the Son of God can receive everlasting life (John 3:16).
- You can receive eternal life by eating of, spiritually, Christ’s body (John 6:54).
- If you follow Jesus, you will not walk alone or in darkness (John 8:12).
- If you continue in Christ’s word, you will be set free (John 8:31 – 32)
- If made so by Jesus, a person will be set free (John 8:36).
- God will honor those who choose to serve Jesus (John 12:26).
- People who believe in Christ will be able to do even greater things than He did (John 14:12).
- If you obey Jesus’ commands, you will receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:15 – 16).
- If you keep Christ’s commands, you will be loved by Him and God (John 14:21).
- A person who abides in Jesus will be fruitful (John 15:5).
- A person can be Jesus’s friend if they obey Him (John 15:14).
Sometimes the number 11 appears in more subtle ways within the text. Jesus was also 33 years old when he died, which is a multiple of 11. For the tabernacle in the wilds, Moses was commanded to create 11 curtains, and the 11th book that is found in most versions of the Scripture is 1Kings.
Additional Reading
What Does the Number 9 Mean in the Bible?
What Does the Number 4 Mean in the Bible?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about the number 11?
The number 11 has some unique features that make it special among other numbers. For example, it is a palindrome, meaning that it is the same when read backwards and forwards. It is also the fifth prime number. In numerology, 11 is a karmic number, being associated with spiritual awakening.
What does number eleven stand for?
The number 11, like many numbers, has its own special meaning and symbolism. Numerology is one instance where numbers are tied to a certain significance. In numerology, the number 11 is a “master number”, which means it has its own powerful vibrations. This number can help those who are influenced by it to find inner strength in turbulent and chaotic times in their lives. They will be able to cope well with crisis and chaos. This number carries a vibrational frequency of balance as well, which can be attributed to how it helps people stay strong in the face of adversity.
What is the 11th hour in the Bible?
The number 11 does also appear in the Bible, for example, when pertaining to the 11th hour. If you are unfamiliar with the 11th hour, this comes from a parable in Matthew. It is a phrase that refers to the story of some vineyard workers. In the story, a few vineyard workers are hired much later than the others but still paid the same wage. Though they were brought in after eleven hours of work, in the “eleventh hour”, they were still not too late. The 11th hour is now used to describe the latest possible time.
What Scripture is 11 11 in the Bible?
11:11 refers to Jeremiah 11:11. In this verse, Jeremiah warns that something terrible and horrible is headed towards the people, as a punishment and result of them sinning against God. No matter what they do, he warns, they will not be able to escape this awful threat. In the King James translation of the Bible, the verse reads as the following: “Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.”
