The number forty-seven does not appear explicitly in the biblical text; however, numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic or theological significance. While forty-seven itself is not directly mentioned, understanding its components—forty and seven—can provide insight into its potential symbolic meaning within a biblical context.

Forty in the Bible

The number forty is frequently used in Scripture and often signifies a period of testing, trial, or judgment. For example, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years (Numbers 14:33-34), and Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert (Matthew 4:2). The number forty can also represent a generation or a significant period of time in God's plan.

Seven in the Bible

The number seven is one of the most significant numbers in the Bible, symbolizing completeness, perfection, and divine order. It is seen in the seven days of creation (Genesis 1-2), the sevenfold Spirit of God (Revelation 1:4), and the seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 1:11). The recurrence of the number seven throughout Scripture underscores its association with God's perfect work and covenantal promises.

Symbolic Interpretation of Forty-Seven

While forty-seven is not directly mentioned, its components suggest a combination of trial and divine completion. The number could be interpreted as a period of testing (forty) that leads to a state of spiritual completeness or fulfillment (seven). This interpretation aligns with the biblical theme that trials and tribulations often precede spiritual growth and divine fulfillment.

Biblical Context and Application

In a broader biblical context, the combination of forty and seven can be seen in the life of individuals and nations who undergo periods of testing before reaching a state of divine fulfillment. For example, the Israelites' forty years in the wilderness culminated in their entry into the Promised Land, a place of divine promise and rest. Similarly, believers today may experience trials that ultimately lead to spiritual maturity and fulfillment in God's plan.

Conclusion

While the number forty-seven is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, its components—forty and seven—carry significant symbolic meanings that can be applied to understanding periods of trial and divine completion in the life of believers. Through these numbers, Scripture reveals the pattern of testing leading to spiritual fulfillment, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.7651. sheba -- seven
... 7,500* (1), 7,700* (4), 700* (5), 721* (1), 725* (1), 730* (1), 736* (2), 743*
(2), 745* (1), 760* (2), 77* (1), 775* (1), 87,000* (1), forty-seven* (1), seven ...
/hebrew/7651.htm - 7k

705. arbaim -- forty
... 1), fortieth (3), forty (73), forty times (1), forty-eight* (2), forty-first* (1),
forty-five* (2), forty-nine* (1), forty-one* (4), forty-seven* (1), forty-two ...
/hebrew/705.htm - 6k

"But Jesus Sent Him Away" (Luke 8:00 38)
... TALK FORTY-SEVEN. "BUT JESUS SENT HIM AWAY" (LUKE 8: 38). How natural it
is for us to desire to be in the presence of the Master, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-seven but jesus sent.htm

Free-Will Baptists.
... This denomination of Baptists have in their connection nine hundred and eighty-one
churches, six hundred and forty-seven ordained ministers, one hundred and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/free-will baptists 2.htm

Heart Talks
... HOW TO WORK GOD'S JOY-MACHINE. TALK FORTY-SIX. BE BRAVE. TALK FORTY-SEVEN. "BUT
JESUS SENT HIM AWAY" (LUKE 8: 38). TALK FORTY-EIGHT. GETTING THE KERNEL. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/

Elucidation.
... It is an apologetic poem against Jews and Gentiles, written in uncouth hexameters,
and discusses in forty-seven sections the doctrine concerning God and the ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/elucidation.htm

The Publisher to the Reader.
... and judicious Treatise of Christian Love was first printed from a manuscript in
my hand, at Edinburgh, 1743, in an octavo pamphlet of forty-seven pages, in ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/the publisher to the reader.htm

Andreas Gryphius
... a long and dangerous illness, from which indeed he at last recovered, but with broken
health and spirits, and he died suddenly at the age of forty-seven, at a ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/andreas gryphius.htm

In the Mean Time, Affairs Having Been Well Settled in Egypt to ...
... He died at the age of one hundred and forty-seven years. His funeral was of a most
imposing character, and Joseph laid his remains in the tomb of his fathers. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xii in the mean.htm

Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
... 3. Missions among the Slaves."There are forty-seven of these missions in successful
operation, including twelve thousand three hundred and ninety-three in ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/missions of the methodist episcopal.htm

Moravian Missions.
... In the year 1840, the Moravians had, in the afore-mentioned places and in South
Africa, forty-seven stations and out-stations, one hundred and ninety-seven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/moravian missions.htm

How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ...
... So the ten tribes of the Israelites were removed out of Judea nine hundred and
forty-seven years after their forefathers were come out of the land of Egypt ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how shalmaneser took.htm

Forty-seven (3 Occurrences)
Forty-seven. Forty's, Forty-seven. Forty-six . Multi-Version
Concordance Forty-seven (3 Occurrences). Genesis 47:28 ...
/f/forty-seven.htm - 7k

1247 (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:38 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. ... Nehemiah
7:41 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. ...
/num/1247.htm - 6k

Pashhur (12 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:38 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. ... Nehemiah
7:41 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven. ...
/p/pashhur.htm - 12k

Forty-six (3 Occurrences)
Forty-six. Forty-seven, Forty-six. Forty-three . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB BBE DBY RSV). Forty-seven, Forty-six. Forty-three . Reference Bible.
/f/forty-six.htm - 7k

Forty's (1 Occurrence)

/f/forty's.htm - 6k

Seventeen (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 47:28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob,
the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years. ...
/s/seventeen.htm - 11k

Length (135 Occurrences)
... Genesis 47:28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob,
the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years. (See NAS). ...
/l/length.htm - 37k

Forty (142 Occurrences)
... Genesis 47:28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob,
the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years. ...
/f/forty.htm - 38k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... Genesis 47:28 And Jacob was living in the land of Goshen for seventeen years;
so the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. (BBE). ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

What is the biblical significance of the number seven/7? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven things God hates? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Israel cursed with forty years of wilderness wandering? | GotQuestions.org

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