The number 13
Rebellion, apostasy, depravity
Man and rebellion — the numbers Scripture uses as a warning
Thirteen is associated with rebellion and apostasy. Nimrod, the thirteenth from Ham, built Babel in rebellion. Ishmael was thirteen when circumcised. In Jewish tradition, thirteen represents the age of moral responsibility.
In Hebrew and Greek
Hebrew
Shloshah asar (שְׁלוֹשָׁה עָשָׂר) - thirteen
Greek
Dekatris or Triskaideka (τρεισκαίδεκα) - thirteen
First occurrence
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
The pattern in Scripture
- Ishmael circumcised at 13 (Gen 17:25)
- Rebellion in Genesis 14:4 (13th year)
- 13 famines in Scripture
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah age
Key verses
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were ...
And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstbor...
And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord; thir...
13:13 verses
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then th...
Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pro...
Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants...