Thirty
To organize the occurrences of "thirty" from the Bible where it stands alone, I’ll group them into meaningful categories based on their context and thematic significance. This approach highlights patterns in how "thirty" is used—whether it relates to ages, measurements, quantities, or symbolic events. Here’s how they can be grouped:
1. Ages of Significant Figures
This category includes instances where "thirty" marks the age of key individuals at pivotal moments, often symbolizing maturity or readiness for leadership or service.
- Genesis 41:46 - "And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt." (Joseph’s age when he became governor.)
- 2 Samuel 5:4 - "David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years." (David’s age at coronation.)
- Luke 3:23 - "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph…" (Jesus’ age at the start of his ministry.)
- Numbers 4:3 - "From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation." (Starting age for Levite service; repeated in 4:23, 4:30, 4:35, 4:39, 4:43, 4:47.)
2. Measurements and Architectural Dimensions
These references involve "thirty" as a unit of measurement (typically cubits) in the construction of sacred or significant structures.
- Exodus 26:8 - "The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits…" (Tabernacle curtain length.)
- Exodus 36:15 - "The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain." (Repeated in the construction account.)
- 1 Kings 6:2 - "And the house which king Solomon built for the Lord… the height thereof thirty cubits." (Temple height.)
- 1 Kings 7:6 - "And he made a porch of pillars… the breadth thereof thirty cubits…" (Porch breadth.)
- Ezekiel 40:17 - "Then brought he me into the outward court… thirty chambers…" (Vision of 30 chambers.)
- Ezekiel 41:6 - "And the side chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in order…" (30 side chambers in the temple vision.)
3. Quantities of People or Groups
This group covers instances where "thirty" refers to a specific number of individuals, often in leadership, military, or social contexts.
- Judges 10:4 - "And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities…" (Jair’s sons; also fits "Possessions" below, but primarily people-focused here.)
- Judges 12:9 - "And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad…" (Ibzan’s children.)
- Judges 14:11 - "And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him." (Samson’s wedding companions.)
- 1 Samuel 9:22 - "And Samuel took Saul… among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons." (Guests with Saul.)
- 2 Samuel 23:13 - "And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David…" (David’s thirty mighty men; repeated in 23:23, 23:24.)
- 1 Chronicles 11:15 - "Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David…" (David’s thirty mighty men, parallel to 2 Samuel.)
- 1 Chronicles 12:4 - "And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty…" (Leader of the thirty.)
4. Possessions, Provisions, or Tribute
Here, "thirty" quantifies items, resources, or offerings, often tied to wealth, sustenance, or sacred contributions.
- Numbers 31:39 - "And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred…" (30,000 donkeys; "thirty" as the base unit.)
- Judges 10:4 - "And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities…" (Jair’s colts and cities; also fits "People" above, but included here for possessions.)
- 1 Kings 4:22 - "And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour…" (30 measures of flour.)
- Ezra 1:9 - "And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver…" (30 gold chargers returned.)
- Matthew 26:15 - "And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver." (Judas’ betrayal price.)
- Matthew 27:3 - "Then Judas… brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders." (Judas returning the 30 pieces.)
5. Time Periods
This category includes "thirty" as a measure of time, typically days or years, often with symbolic or ceremonial weight.
- Numbers 20:29 - "And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days…" (Mourning period for Aaron.)
- Deuteronomy 34:7 - "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died…" (120 years; "thirty" not standalone but included cautiously as a multiple.)
6. Symbolic or Parabolic Yield
These New Testament references use "thirty" in parables to represent spiritual fruitfulness or productivity.
- Matthew 13:8 - "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." (Parable of the Sower; 30-fold yield.)
- Matthew 13:23 - "But he that received seed into the good ground… bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Repeated emphasis.)
- Mark 4:8 - "And other fell on good ground… and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." (Parallel to Matthew.)
- Mark 4:20 - "And these are they which are sown on good ground… and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (Repeated.)
Observations
- Overlap: Some verses could fit multiple categories (e.g., Judges 10:4 spans "People" and "Possessions"), but I placed them where their primary emphasis lies.
- Significance: "Thirty" often denotes readiness (ages), completeness (quantities), or sacred design (measurements). In the New Testament, it gains a symbolic layer (e.g., Judas’ 30 pieces, 30-fold yield).
- Deuteronomy 34:7: Included cautiously as "thirty" isn’t explicitly standalone but is a factor of 120 (30 × 4); it’s an outlier here.
Does this grouping work for you? If you’d prefer a different organization—say, by book, Testament, or another theme—just let me know!
