The number eighty-five appears in the Bible in various contexts, often associated with age, genealogy, and specific events. It is a number that, while not as symbolically significant as others like seven or forty, still holds importance in the biblical narrative.

Occurrences in Scripture:

1. Caleb's Age: One of the most notable mentions of the number eighty-five is in relation to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Caleb is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness and courage. In the Book of Joshua, Caleb declares his age as eighty-five when he requests the hill country of Hebron as his inheritance. Despite his age, Caleb asserts his strength and readiness for battle, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God's promises. The passage reads: "Now behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as He promised, these forty-five years since the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old" (Joshua 14:10).

2. Genealogical Reference: The number eighty-five also appears in genealogical contexts, often indicating the age of individuals at significant points in their lives. While specific references to the age of eighty-five are not as frequent as other ages, it is part of the broader biblical pattern of recording ages to highlight the longevity and life experiences of key figures.

Symbolic and Theological Implications:

· Longevity and Faithfulness: The mention of eighty-five in the context of Caleb's life underscores themes of longevity and faithfulness. Caleb's life serves as a testament to the rewards of steadfast faith and obedience to God. His strength at eighty-five is a reminder of God's sustaining power and the fulfillment of His promises to those who remain faithful.

· Inheritance and Promise: Caleb's request for Hebron at the age of eighty-five is significant in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. It highlights the importance of inheritance and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. Caleb's claim to Hebron is not just a personal victory but a realization of the divine promise given to Abraham and his descendants.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, age was often associated with wisdom, experience, and authority. The recording of specific ages in the Bible serves to emphasize the significance of the individuals and events described. The age of eighty-five, as seen in Caleb's account, reflects a period of life where one's accumulated wisdom and experience are brought to bear on fulfilling God's purposes.

Conclusion:

While the number eighty-five may not carry the same symbolic weight as other numbers in the Bible, its occurrences, particularly in the life of Caleb, provide valuable insights into themes of faith, perseverance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Through Caleb's example, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's provision and timing, regardless of age or circumstance.8084. shemonim -- an eighty
... 2), 186,400* (1), 188* (1), 280,000* (2), 284* (1), 288* (1), 8,580* (1), 80 (2),
80,000* (3), 87,000* (1), eightieth (1), eighty (11), eighty-five (2), eighty ...
/hebrew/8084.htm - 6k

Question Eighty-Five the Effects of Sin
... Question Eighty-Five THE EFFECTS OF SIN. THE EFFECTS OF SIN We must now consider
the effects of sin. We must consider the corruption ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question eighty-five the effects of.htm

Wesley Describes Himself at Eighty-Five
... Money for the Poor; Visits the House of Lords; His Reasons for his Long Life; "How
is the Tide Turned;" Last Entries Wesley Describes Himself at Eighty-five. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley describes himself at eighty-five.htm

How Moody Treated the Committees.
... Fourscore and Five. When we went to London there was an old woman eighty-five years
old, who came to the meetings and said she wanted a hand in that work. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/how moody treated the committees.htm

American Board of Foreign Missions.
... The number of the missions in 1841 was twenty-six; stations, eighty-five; and ordained
missionaries, one hundred and thirty-six, ten of whom were physicians. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american board of foreign missions.htm

American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions.
... five missionaries and assistant missionaries, one native assistant, two churches
of twenty-five members, and two schools containing eighty-five scholars. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american baptist board of foreign.htm

Episcopal Missions.
... This Society now has under its charge one hundred and forty-five domestic, and twelve
foreign stations, employing eighty-five domestic and eleven foreign ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/episcopal missions.htm

Nature and Grace
... Article Four Whether Original Sin is in All Men Equally. Question Eighty-Five THE
EFFECTS OF SIN. Article One Whether Sin Diminishes Natural Good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/

Happy Children and Prosperous Days
... Babylas, at Antioch, at the same time with David's Philip and Andrew, by Bishop
Eustathius, who, after the death of Porphyry, and after eighty-five years of ...
/.../chapter lxxi happy children and.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... It was full two days' journey on foot from Jerusalem, 1 Samuel 21:5. The number
of priests here slain in Josephus is three hundred and eighty-five, and but ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

The Cost of a Lie
... On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the priestly robes. But Abiathar,
one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the cost of a lie.htm

Eighty-five (4 Occurrences)
Eighty-five. Eighty-eight, Eighty-five. Eighty-four . Multi-Version
Concordance Eighty-five (4 Occurrences). Joshua ...
/e/eighty-five.htm - 7k

Eighty (36 Occurrences)
... Now, behold, I am eighty-five years old, today. (WEB BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
Judges 3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. ...
/e/eighty.htm - 17k

Doeg (6 Occurrences)
... flocks (1 Samuel 21:7). At the command of Saul he slew the high priest Ahimelech
(qv) at Nob, together with all the priests to the number of eighty-five persons ...
/d/doeg.htm - 9k

Assyrians (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:35 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out, and struck
one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. ...
/a/assyrians.htm - 11k

Assyrian (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:35 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out, and struck
one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. ...
/a/assyrian.htm - 12k

Wore (19 Occurrences)
... 18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned,
and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who ...
/w/wore.htm - 11k

Forty-five (15 Occurrences)
... while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I am eighty-five years
old, today. (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 7:3 It ...
/f/forty-five.htm - 10k

Edomite (11 Occurrences)
... 18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned,
and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who ...
/e/edomite.htm - 10k

Eighty-four (2 Occurrences)
Eighty-four. Eighty-five, Eighty-four. Eighty-seven . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY RSV). Eighty-five, Eighty-four. Eighty-seven . Reference Bible
/e/eighty-four.htm - 7k

E'domite (7 Occurrences)
... 18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned,
and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who ...
/e/e'domite.htm - 8k

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