The number 390 symbolizes the years of Israel's sin and punishment, as described in the book of Ezekiel.
In Ezekiel 4:4-5 the prophet Ezekiel is asked by God to lie on his left side for 390 days, where each day represents one year of Israel's (the Northern Kingdom's) sin. The number is traditionally linked to a long period of apostasy in Israel's history, although the exact dates for this period are debated among commentators. In Jewish tradition, 390 is interpreted as an expression of God's patience and judgment upon a people who persistently turned away from the covenant. Thus, the number has a strong symbolic connection to sin, judgment, and the long-lasting consequences of unfaithfulness toward God. Among rabbinic commentators, there is disagreement about the exact timeframe of the 390 years. Rashi and several others link the period to the time from the kingdom's division after Solomon to the fall of Jerusalem, while the Talmud (Seder Olam Rabbah) counts from Israel's entry into the land under Joshua. Different calculations yield somewhat varying results, showing that the number primarily carries a theological-symbolic meaning. In the Septuagint (LXX), 190 days are written instead of 390 in Ezekiel 4:5, which has sparked textual-critical debate about the original number. However, most Hebrew manuscripts support the reading of 390.*