Lexical Summary heptakischilioi: Seven thousand Original Word: ἑπτακισχίλιοι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance seven thousand. From heptakis and chilioi; seven times a thousand -- seven thousand. see GREEK heptakis see GREEK chilioi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom heptakis and chilioi Definition seven thousand NASB Translation seven thousand (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2035: ἑπτακισχίλιοιἑπτακισχίλιοι, ἑπτακισχιλιαι, ἑπτακισχίλια, seven thousand: Romans 11:4. (Herodotus) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Single New Testament OccurrenceStrong’s Greek 2035 (ἑπτακισχιλίους) designates the specific number seven thousand. It occurs only once in the Greek New Testament, in Romans 11:4, where Paul quotes God’s word to Elijah: “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal” (Romans 11:4). Old Testament Background: Elijah, Baal, and the Preserved Faithful The phrase reaches back to the crisis on Mount Horeb after Elijah’s confrontation with Jezebel’s Baalist regime (1 Kings 18–19). Feeling alone, the prophet lamented, “I am the only one left,” yet the Lord answered, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). Key points: Paul’s Usage: Romans 11 and the Doctrine of the Remnant Paul cites the episode to defend God’s ongoing faithfulness to ethnic Israel: Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Preservation God guards a faithful nucleus even when the majority turn aside (Isaiah 10:22; Romans 9:27). His redemptive plan never depends on visible success or statistical strength. 2. Encouragement for the Faithful Elijah’s despair dissolved when he learned of the unseen seven thousand. Likewise, believers today may be confident that the Lord has more servants than meet the eye (2 Kings 6:16). 3. Continuity of Covenant Mercy The concept links Old and New Testament testimony. The God who kept seven thousand in Israel keeps a remnant “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Numerical Significance of Seven Thousand While the number is literal in its historical setting, its components invite reflection: Together they convey a sizable, divinely complete company, sufficient to sustain covenant continuity without exhausting divine resources. Ministry and Pastoral Application • Perseverance in Minority Situations: Small congregations or isolated believers can remain steadfast, knowing God sustains hidden allies. Intertextual Connections for Further Study 1 Kings 19:18; 2 Kings 19:30–31; Isaiah 1:9; Isaiah 10:20–22; Jeremiah 23:3; Joel 2:32; Micah 7:18; Romans 9:27; Romans 11:1–6; Revelation 7:4-9. Forms and Transliterations επτακισχίλια επτακισχίλιοι επτακισχιλιους επτακισχιλίους ἑπτακισχιλίους επτακόσια επτακόσιαι επτακοσίας επτακόσιοι επτακοσίους επτάμηνον επταμνήω επταπλάσια επταπλάσιον επταπλασίονα επταπλασίως eptakischilious heptakischilious heptakischilíousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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