Easton Bible Dictionary SEVEN
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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 (Gen 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 Lev 25:4; 1 Sam. 2:5; Ps 12:6; 79:12; Prov 26:16; Isa 4:1; Matt 18:21, 22; Luke 17:4). The feast of Passover (Ex 12:15, 16), the feast of Weeks (Deut 16:9), of Tabernacles (13:15), and the Jubilee (Lev 25:8), were all ordered by seven. Seven is the number of sacrifice (2 Chr 29:21; Job 42:8), of purification and consecration (Lev 42:6, 17; 8:11, 33; 14:9, 51), of forgiveness ( Matt 18:21, 22; Luke 17:4), of reward (Deut 28:7; 1 Sam. 2:5), and of punishment (Lev 26:21, 24, 28; Deut 28:25). It is used for any round number in such passages as Job 5:19; Prov 26:16, 25; Isa 4:1; Matt 12:45. It is used also to mean "abundantly" (Gen 4:15, 24; Lev 26:24; Ps 79:12).
Similar Terms:
Seventy weeks
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