 | Seven | |
This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Genesis 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. "Jacob's seven years' service to Laban; Pharaoh's seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who sounded them; the seven days' siege of Jericho; the seven churches, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, seven vials, and many others, sufficiently prove the importance of this sacred number" (see Leviticus 25:4; 1 Samuel 2:5; Psalm 12:6; 79:12; Proverbs 26:16; Isaiah 4:1; Matthew 18:21, 22; Luke 17:4). The feast of Passover (Exodus 12:15, 16), the feast of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9), of Tabernacles (13:15), and the Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8), were all ordered by seven. Seven is the number of sacrifice (2 Chronicles 29:21; Job 42:8), of purification and consecration (Leviticus 42:6, 17; 8:11, 33; 14:9, 51), of forgiveness (Matthew 18:21, 22; Luke 17:4), of reward (Deuteronomy 28:7; 1 Samuel 2:5), and of punishment (Leviticus 26:21, 24, 28; Deuteronomy 28:25). It is used for any round number in such passages as Job 5:19; Proverbs 26:16, 25; Isaiah 4:1; Matthew 12:45. It is used also to mean "abundantly" (Genesis 4:15, 24; Leviticus 26:24; Psalm 79:12).
