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The Number Eleven
If ten is the number which marks the perfection of Divine order,
then eleven is an addition to it, subversive
of and undoing that order. If twelve is the number which marks
the perfection of Divine government, theneleven falls short of it.
So that whether we regard it as being 10 + 1, or 12 - 1, it is the
number which marks,
disorder, disorganization, imperfection, and disintegration.
There is not much concerning it in the Word of God, but what
there is is significant, especially as a factor.
The Dukes of Edom
The dukes of Edom were eleven in number (Genesis 36:40-43), and
Edom, though closely related to Israel,
was different from it in order and government, while the
bitterest hatred existed between them. The word
for "Duke" is a multiple of 13.
The Eleven Sons of Jacob
The eleven sons of Jacob told of the disintegration and
disorganization in Jacob's family, which made it
possible for it to be said "one is not."
From Horeb to Kadesh Barnea
From Horeb to Kadesh Barnea was a journey of eleven days
(Deuteronomy 1:2). One more day would have
carried them to the complete administration of all those
wonderful laws which God had given them.
Eli, Hophni and Phinehas
Eli, Hophni and Phinehas have for their gematria the number 462,
the factors of which are 11 and 42; both
significant of the disorder in Eli's house, and of
disintegration in Israel.
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Jehoiakim Reigned Eleven Years
Johoiakim reigned eleven years when Nebuchadnezzar came up and
began his disintegrating work on
Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:36, 34:1; 2Chronicles 36:5,6).
Zedekiah Reigned Eleven Years
Zedekiah reigned eleven years when Nebuchadnezzar completed the
work by putting an end to Israel's rule
in Jerusalem (2Chronicles 36:11; Jeremiah 52:1), for "in the
eleventh year the city was broken up"
(Jeremiah 39:2).
The Eleventh Year
The eleventh year in which Ezekiel prophesied against Tyre
(Ezekiel 26:1) and against Egypt (30:20 and
31:1) was the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in which Jerusalem was
broken up. And the threefold repetition of
it is to impress us with the fact that Tyre and Egypt should be
broken up, as Jerusalem had been.
The Eleven Apostles
The eleven apostles witness of disintegration even amongst the
Twelve (Acts 2:14, etc.).
The Eleventh Hour
The eleventh hour (Matthew 20:6,9) is proverbial as being
contrary alike both to what is right in order and
arrangement.
The Life of our Lord on Earth
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The life of our Lord on earth was about 33 years (3 x 11), and
then He was "cut off," and "we see not yet all
things put under Him" (Daniel 9:26; Hebrews 2:8).
Eleven Hundred
Eleven hundred occurs only twice, both referring to days of
defective administration, marked by the fact
that there was "no king":-- Judges 16:5, the Philistine bribe
which deprived Israel of their mighty judge and
deliverer, Samson. Judges 17:2, etc., connected with the
introduction of idolatry into Israel, which brought
with it trouble and disintegration; added to God's order and
ordinances for them; and in the end caused
the ruin and loss of all government.
Dan and Ephraim were the two offending tribes, for Micah, who
made the image with the eleven hundredshekels, was an Ephraimite,
and the tribe that stole it and his priest was the Tribe of Dan.
Both are omitted
from the tribes in Revelation 7, according to the declaration of
Jehovah in Deuteronomy 29:18-20, that the
"man, woman, family, or tribe" which should introduce idolatry
into Israel, "the LORD shall BLOT OUT HIS
NAME."
Additional Miscellaneous Illustrations
Eleven kings and rulers offended with God's servants for telling
them the truth: Pharaoh, Exodus 10:28.Balak, Numbers 24:10.
Jeroboam, 1 Kings 13:4. Ahab, 1 Kings 22:27. Naaman, 2 Kings 5:12.
Asa, 2Chronicles
16:10. Joash, 2Chronicles 24:21. Uzziah, 2Chronicles 26:19.
Jehoiakim, Jeremiah 26:21. Zedekiah, Jeremiah
32:3. Herod, Matthew 14:3.
