The term "thirty men" appears in various contexts within the Bible, often signifying a group of individuals tasked with specific duties or roles. This entry explores the occurrences and significance of "thirty men" in the biblical narrative, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.

1. Samson's Wedding Feast:

In the Book of Judges, the account of Samson provides an early mention of thirty men. During his wedding feast, Samson poses a riddle to thirty Philistine companions. The wager is for thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. When the Philistines cannot solve the riddle, they coerce Samson's wife to extract the answer from him. Upon discovering their deceit, Samson is filled with the Spirit of the LORD, goes to Ashkelon, and strikes down thirty men to fulfill his promise:

"Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father’s house." (Judges 14:19)

This incident highlights the beginning of Samson's conflict with the Philistines and sets the stage for his subsequent acts of strength and vengeance.

2. Jeremiah's Rescue:

In the Book of Jeremiah, thirty men are mentioned in the context of the prophet's rescue from a cistern. Jeremiah had been cast into the cistern by officials who opposed his prophecies. Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch serving in the king's palace, intervenes on Jeremiah's behalf. King Zedekiah commands Ebed-Melech to take thirty men to lift Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies:

"Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, 'Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.'" (Jeremiah 38:10)

The deployment of thirty men underscores the urgency and importance of the task, ensuring Jeremiah's safety and continued prophetic ministry.

3. The Thirty Warriors of David:

The term "thirty" is also associated with David's mighty warriors, although the exact number is sometimes debated due to variations in the lists provided in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. These warriors were renowned for their bravery and loyalty to King David. They played a crucial role in his military campaigns and the establishment of his kingdom. The group is often referred to as "The Thirty," though the list includes more than thirty names due to the inclusion of additional notable figures.

"These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time." (2 Samuel 23:8)

The Thirty exemplify the valor and dedication of those who supported David during his rise to power and reign as king.

4. Symbolic and Cultural Significance:

The number thirty in biblical times often symbolized completeness or a significant period, such as the age of maturity for Levites to begin their service (Numbers 4:3) or the age at which Jesus began His public ministry (Luke 3:23). In the context of "thirty men," the number may reflect a complete or sufficient group for accomplishing a particular task or mission.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the mention of thirty men serves various purposes, from illustrating divine intervention and justice to highlighting the loyalty and strength of those who served God's chosen leaders.