Golden Number
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Golden Number in the Bible?
The Golden Number is a value from 1 to 19 that identifies a specific year within the 19-year Metonic cycle, a period used historically to synchronize the lunar months with the solar year for the calculation of ecclesiastical dates.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Golden Number allows readers to grasp the mathematical methods ancient Jewish and early Christian scholars employed to align lunar festivals with the solar calendar, providing context for the timing of events described in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Golden Number. 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 Golden Number in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Golden Number clarify?
Related Topics
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
"Golden Number." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/golden-number/