Lexical Summary hebdomékontakis: Seventy times Original Word: ἑβδομηκοντάκις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance seventy times. Multiple adverb from hebdomekonta; seventy times -- seventy times. see GREEK hebdomekonta HELPS Word-studies 1441 hebdomēkontákis – seventy times. 1441 (hebdomēkontákis) is only used in Mt 18:22: "Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times (1441 /hebdomēkontákis) seven' " (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originmult. adverb from hebdomékonta Definition seventy times NASB Translation seventy times (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1441: ἑβδομηκοντάκιςἑβδομηκοντάκις (Genesis 4:24), seventy times: ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά, seventy times seven times, i. e. countless times, Matthew 18:22 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 37, 5 Note 2; Buttmann, 30 (26) and see ἑπτά, at the end; others (cf. R. V. marginal reading) seventy-seven times, see Meyer at the passage]. STRONGS NT 1441a: ἑβδομηκονταπεντεἑβδομηκονταπεντε, seventy-five: Acts 7:14 Rec.elz (Genesis 25:7; Exodus 39:6 (Exodus 38:27); 1 Esdr. 5:12).*) Topical Lexicon Overview The single New Testament appearance of the term occurs in Matthew 18:22, where it conveys an expansive, practically limitless tally. By multiplying the perfect number seven tenfold and then compounding it again, the Lord sets forgiveness beyond the reach of human bookkeeping. Immediate Context: Matthew 18:21-35 Peter’s question, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21), receives the startling reply: “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus then tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, grounding the numerical statement in the character of God who remits an unpayable debt. The term therefore anchors the passage’s twin emphases: (1) God’s immeasurable mercy toward believers, and (2) the believer’s obligation to mirror that mercy without quota. Old Testament Echoes Genesis 4:24 records Lamech’s boast, “If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” Jesus overturns this manifesto of vengeance, transforming it into a manifesto of grace. The deliberate numerical parallel proclaims that, under the New Covenant, limitless forgiveness displaces limitless retaliation (see also Proverbs 24:29). Theological Significance 1. Divine Pattern: The exaggerated figure underscores that divine forgiveness cannot be exhausted (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 55:7). Historical Interpretation • Early Fathers (Origen, Chrysostom) treated the number figuratively, urging believers never to “keep score.” Principles for Ministry • Pastoral Counseling: Encourage repentant offenders to rest in God’s inexhaustible mercy while guiding the offended toward genuine reconciliation. Practical Application 1. Keep no ledger of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). Related Concepts • ἄφεσις (aphesis) – release, forgiveness of sins. Summary The term translated “seventy-seven times” functions as a divine hyperbole that sweeps away every human limit on forgiveness. Rooted in Old Testament contrast and unfolded in New Testament practice, it stands as a perpetual summons to imitate the boundless mercy of God in Christ. Forms and Transliterations εβδομηκοντακις εβδομηκοντάκις ἑβδομηκοντάκις εβδομηκοντατέσσαρες εβδομηκοντατρείς εβδομηκοστόν ebdomekontakis ebdomēkontakis hebdomekontakis hebdomekontákis hebdomēkontakis hebdomēkontákisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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