Daily Tidbits 10/5/26 – Chester A. Arthur

On this date, 10/5/1829, Chester A. Arthur was born. In the Presidents Code, Arthur’s Presidency pictures Jacob traveling back to the land of Canaan where he wrestles with a ‘Man’ and becomes Israel. The Presidents Code is a parable based upon the name meanings of the U.S. Presidents. Their name meanings tell the story of the Biblical text, from the beginning of creation unto the days of Christ. Based upon the premise of this code, it is seen that the very characters of the Presidents, from their personal characters to the events that occurred during their Presidencies reveal in parable form the exact same events of the Biblical narrative of which their name meanings describe. In other words, the history of the United States is displaying a giant parable of the Word of God.

President Chester A. Arthur
Republican 9/19/1881-3/4/1885

As Vice President, Chester A. Arthur’s name meaning was speaking of Jacob finding ‘rest’ and protection in Padan Aram. As President, Arthur’s name meaning is referring to Jacob traveling back to the land of Canaan where he wrestles with a ‘Man’ and becomes Israel.

Chester comes from the Latin word ‘castrum’ meaning a fortified place tracing back to the Hebrew letter ח ‘chet’ which has the same meaning.

Alan means ‘little rock’ or perhaps ‘handsome’ in Breton.

Arthur comes from the Celtic words ‘artos’ meaning a ‘bear’ and ‘viros’ meaning a man or ‘rigos’ meaning a king.

The Hebrew letter ח ‘chet’ is a wall or a fortified place. Little rock is what Jesus called Peter when he proclaimed Him as Messiah (Matthew 16:18). On this rock, or fortified place, “I will build my church”. Arthur means man/king bear. The Hebrew word for bear is דוב ‘dov,’ whose pictograph letter meanings literally say ‘the one who is connected to the door of the tent.’ The door of the tent is Messiah (John 10:9).

This deeper meaning of Chester Arthur’s name points to Jacob wrestling with the Angel where he matures from a man to a ‘king.’ The Hebrew word for bear, דוב ‘dov,’ also means sorrow. When Jacob left Laban and traveled back to the land of Canaan, his heart was filled with sorrow. This was a picture of Jacob’s trouble in the end of days (Jeremiah 30:7). It is on the way to meet Esau that Jacob wrestles with a Man (Genesis 32:24-32), and was renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28; Hosea 12:3-5). Israel means one who rules with God…a king (Exodus 19:6).

The Presidency of Chester A. Arthur was defined by the passing of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act which ended the Spoils system of Federal offices being appointed as political favors. This is an irony as Arthur rose to political prominence through this very same Spoils System. The Hebrew word for office is משמרת ‘mishmeret’ which literally means to watch over and protect. This is pointing to Jacob’s occupancy as a shepherd during his days serving Laban. So too, Jacob obtained the birthright by corruption but came back to the promised land after facing, and overcoming, corruption.

Chester Arthur was appointed as the Collector of the Port of New York by Ulysses S. Grant which at the time was a part of a corrupt spoils system which Rutherford B. Hayes sought to reform, thus relieving Arthur from his seat.

Ulysses S. Grant‘s Presidency was a picture of the conflict between Jacob and Esau, Hayes‘ term is speaking of Jacob fleeing into Padan Aram. Chester Arthur’s Presidency is pointing to Jacob leaving Padan Aram and returning to Canaan where he would have to face Esau. Here in Arthur’s life is depicted Jacob’s trouble. Rising to power through corruption, yet in the end choosing to redeem himself through righteousness.

A journalist of the time wrote of Arthur:
“No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted as Chester Alan Arthur, and no one ever retired … more generally respected, alike by political friend and foe.”

Chester Arthur also built up the Navy during his Presidency which has interesting connections to Jacob’s life in Padan Aram and his return to Canaan. The word navy traces back to the Hebrew word נבך ‘navakh’ which means ‘depths’ or ‘springs’ of the sea. נבך ‘navakh’ comes from the root word בך ‘bakh’ which means the ‘weeping of the land.’ This points to the death of Rachel on the way back to Canaan (Genesis 35:16-18).

The building up of the Navy and production of steel protected cruisers became known as the ‘Squadron of Evolution.’ The word ‘squadron’ traces back to the Hebrew word עדר ‘adar’ which means a flock or ‘drove.’ This is the word used of the flocks which Jacob watched and from which he received wages from Laban (Genesis 29:2-3, 8; 30:40). This is also the word speaking of the droves which Jacob sent before Esau as an attempt to placate his anger (Genesis 32:16).

Another significant part of Arthur’s Presidency was the passing of the Edmunds Act which made polygamy a federal crime. Polygamy was a huge part of Jacob’s conflict in the land of Padan Aram, with Jacob’s marriage to Leah and her sister Rachel, an act which Scripture prohibits (Leviticus 18:18). It is on the way back to Canaan that Rachel died and the jealous rivalry between the sisters ended.

On the way back to the Promised Land, Jacob wrestled with an Angel who touched the hollow of his thigh causing him to limp the rest of his life (Genesis 32:25, 32). Arthur was diagnosed with Bright’s disease which is a fatal kidney ailment. As a result, Arthur did not seek the nomination in 1884 for re-election knowing he would not probably survive another four years. He died in 1886.

Bright is of English origin from the word ‘beorht’ or ‘bright’ meaning bright, shining or illustrious. This points to Jacob who became Israel after wrestling with the Angel.

After wrestling the Angel, Jacob called the name of the place, Peniel. After he passed from this place the sun rose upon him (Genesis 32:30-31). Peniel means the face of God. Christ is the face of God, the brightness of His Glory (Hebrews 1:3; John 14:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6). The Light of the world (John 1:9; 8:12, 9:5; 12:46).

Arthur, the corrupt politician, becomes the “repentant” reformer standing against corruption. His Presidency points to Jacob, facing his past sins, to become Israel, the overcomer.

For more on the parable of the Presidents Code: