Fourteen
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Fourteen in the Bible?
The number fourteen appears in biblical texts, notably in the genealogies of Matthew 1:17, which divides the lineage of Jesus into three sets of fourteen generations.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the recurrence of fourteen aids readers in identifying structural patterns in biblical genealogies and understanding how numerical symmetry was used to convey theological themes of completeness and royal lineage.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Fourteen. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Fourteen in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Fourteen clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Matthew 1:17
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Fourteen." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/fourteen/