Topical Encyclopedia
The number seven holds significant symbolic and theological importance throughout the Bible, often representing completeness, perfection, and divine order. Its frequent occurrence in both the Old and New Testaments underscores its spiritual and cultural significance in biblical literature.
Old Testament References1.
Creation Week: The number seven first appears in the creation narrative. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, sanctifying it as a day of rest (
Genesis 2:2-3). This established the pattern for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, which became a cornerstone of Jewish religious life.
2.
The Flood: In the account of Noah, God instructed Noah to take seven pairs of clean animals and seven pairs of birds onto the ark (
Genesis 7:2-3). The flood itself began after seven days (
Genesis 7:10), emphasizing the number's association with divine intervention and judgment.
3.
Feasts and Rituals: The number seven is integral to various Jewish feasts and rituals. The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles both last seven days (
Exodus 12:15;
Leviticus 23:34). The Day of Atonement is observed in the seventh month (
Leviticus 16:29), and the Year of Jubilee is celebrated after seven cycles of seven years (
Leviticus 25:8-10).
4.
Jericho: The fall of Jericho involved a seven-day march around the city, with seven priests blowing seven trumpets on the seventh day (
Joshua 6:4). This event highlights the number's association with divine victory and fulfillment of God's promises.
New Testament References1.
Jesus' Teachings: Jesus frequently used the number seven in His teachings. He instructed Peter to forgive "seventy times seven" times, emphasizing boundless forgiveness (
Matthew 18:22). The number also appears in the parables, such as the seven loaves used to feed the multitude (
Matthew 15:36).
2.
Revelation: The Book of Revelation is replete with the number seven, symbolizing completeness and divine authority. There are seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (
Revelation 1:4; 5:1; 8:2; 16:1). These sevens underscore the totality of God's plan and the ultimate fulfillment of His purposes.
3.
Miracles and Signs: The Gospel of John records seven miraculous signs performed by Jesus, each revealing His divine nature and authority (
John 2:1-11; 4:46-54; 5:1-15; 6:5-14; 6:16-24; 9:1-12; 11:1-44).
Symbolism and InterpretationIn biblical numerology, seven often symbolizes divine perfection and completion. It is seen as a number that reflects God's covenant with humanity and His sovereign control over creation. The recurrence of the number seven in various contexts—rituals, narratives, and prophecies—serves to remind believers of God's perfect plan and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
The number seven's pervasive presence in Scripture invites reflection on the nature of God's work in the world and His call to holiness and rest. It serves as a reminder of the divine order established from the beginning and the hope of ultimate redemption and restoration.
Topical Bible Verses
Revelation 4:5And out of the throne proceeded lightning and thunder and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Topicalbible.orgRevelation 17:1-18
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying to me, Come here; I will show to you the judgment of the great whore that sits on many waters:
Topicalbible.org
Revelation 2:1-29
To the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things said he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the middle of the seven golden candlesticks;
Topicalbible.org
Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be to you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Topicalbible.org
Revelation 12:3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads.
Topicalbible.org
1 Kings 19:18
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
4128. plethos -- a great number ... full) Definition a great
number NASB Word Usage assembly (1), body (1), bundle
(1), congregation (4), crowd (3), great
number (1), multitude (
7), multitudes (1
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4128.htm - 6k3641. oligos -- few, little, small
... small NASB Word Usage brief (1), briefly (1), few (11), few things (3), great*
(1), little (7), little way (1), little while (4), long* (1), number* (2), short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3641.htm - 7k
5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
... 1), made perfect (4), made...perfect (1), make...perfect (1), make perfect (1),
perfect (2), perfected (7), reach...goal (1), spending the full number (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5048.htm - 9k
3793. ochlos -- a crowd, multitude, the common people
... is always in the plural, whether verb or pronoun , etc., except Rev 7:9 where ... gathering
(1), many (1), mob (1), multitude (3), multitudes (1), number of people ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3793.htm - 8k
4183. polus -- much, many
... 4183 -- (high in ); multitudinous, plenteous, "much"; "great" in (). 4183 ("much
in number") emphasizes the involved. ... (pollois) -- 7 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4183.htm - 9k
5064. tessares -- four
... four. Or neuter tessara (tes'-sar-ah) a plural number; four -- four. (tessara) --
6 Occurrences. (tessaras) -- 7 Occurrences. (tessares) -- 11 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5064.htm - 6k
1835. hexekonta -- sixty
... Word Origin cardinal number from hex and a modified form of deka Definition sixty
NASB Word Usage seven (1), sixty (7), sixty-six* (1). sixty, threescore. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1835.htm - 6k
1325. didomi -- to give (in various senses lit. or fig.)
... the connection) -- adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant,
hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have ... (dotheisan) -- 7 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1325.htm - 12k
846. autos -- (1) self (emphatic) (2) he, she, it (used for the ...
... city (2), even (1), here* (1), herself (5), himself (83), itself (7), just (1),
lies (1), like (1), like-minded (1), money (1), myself (10), number (1), one (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/846.htm - 8k
4004. pentekonta -- fifty
... Word Origin a cardinal number from pente and a modified form of deka Definition
fifty NASB Word Usage fifties (1), fifty (5), fifty ... pentekonta) -- 7 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4004.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)... number) NASB Word Usage 1,052* (2), 1,222* (1), 112* (3), 12* (2), 12,000* (8
... 2,172*
(2), 2,322* (1), 2,812* (1), 20,000* (2), 212* (1), 22,000* (
7), 22,034* (1
... /hebrew/8147.htm - 7k 4557. mispar -- number, tally
... 1), counted (1), countless* (1), enumeration (1), few (7), infinite* (1), innumerable*
(1), limit (1), list (2), many (2), measure (1), number (102), numbered ...
/hebrew/4557.htm - 6k
8083. shemoneh -- eight (a cardinal number)
... number) NASB Word Usage 108,100* (1), 128* (4), 138* (1), 148* (1), 18* (2), 18,000*
(7), 188* (1), 2,812* (1), 2,818* (2), 20,800* (1), 218* (1), 22,600* (1 ...
/hebrew/8083.htm - 6k
7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... 2), length (1), magnitude (1), many (25), mass (1), mighty (1), more (2), much
(7), multiplied (1), multiply (1), multitude (11), number (3), numerous (5 ...
/hebrew/7230.htm - 6k
7969. shalosh -- a three, triad
... 1), three-tenths* (8), three-year-old (1), twenty-third* (7), twenty-three ...
shel-o-shaw'}; or shloshah {shel-o-shaw'}; a primitive number; three; occasionally ...
/hebrew/7969.htm - 7k
6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint
... misses me at all (1), missing (5), mustered (6), mustering (1), number (13), numbered
(99 ... took a census (1), took note (1), untouched* (1), visit (7), visited (6 ...
/hebrew/6485.htm - 7k
3515. kabed -- heavy
... difficult (2), great (4), grievous (1), heavier (1), heavy (11), huge (1), large
(4), large number (1), much (1), numerous (1), rich (1), severe (7), slow (2 ...
/hebrew/3515.htm - 6k
7098. qatsah -- an end
... qatsah Definition an end NASB Word Usage all (2), among (1), corners (1), end (7),
ends (19), fringes (1), outermost (1), outermost* (1), whole number (1). ...
/hebrew/7098.htm - 6k
5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... emotion NASB Word Usage any (1), anyone (2), anyone* (1), appetite (7), being (1 ...
4), man's (1), men* (2), mind (2), Myself (3), myself (2), number (1), ones (1 ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k
7233. rebabah -- multitude, myriad, ten thousand
... Usage myriad (1), numerous (1), ten thousand (6), ten thousands (7). many, million,
multiply, ten thousand. From rabab; abundance (in number), ie (specifically ...
/hebrew/7233.htm - 6k
Library
This Mystery of his Will God Revealed to but a Small Number under ...
... Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine Article 7 This mystery of His will God
revealed to but a small number under the Old? This mystery ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 7 this mystery of.htm
There are Threescore Queens and Fourscore Concubines, and virgins ...
... CHAPTER VI. 7. There are threescore queens and fourscore concubines, and
virgins without number. The Bridegroom declares that there ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/7 there are threescore queens.htm
Number Index
... Number Index. 1. [142]Salvation by Faith"Ephesians 2:8. 2. ... 6. [147]Righteousness
of Faith, The"Romans 10:5-8. 7. [148]Way of the Kingdom, The"Mark 1:15. 8. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/sermons on several occasions/number index.htm
All Saint's Day Lo, a Great Multitude which no Man could Number ...
... Lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds and
people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb ... [Rev.7:9-10]. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/all saints day lo a.htm
Chapter vi.
... 8. There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without
number.7. 9. My dove, my undefiled, is but one, she is the only one of her mother ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vi.htm
The Foundlings
... Chapter 7 THE FOUNDLINGS. ... in a state of semi-starvation and utter neglect, were crowded
together into two filthy holes, where the greater number died of ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 7 the foundlings.htm
Although Certain as to the Number of the Name of Antichrist, yet ...
... 4. But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man comes we may
avoid him, being aware who he is: the name, however, is ... [4705] Revelation 7:5-7 ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxx although certain as to.htm
The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... 7. Cases of awful relapse into sin. ... And it will be important to have a considerable
number of communications on hand, at the commencement, as well as ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm
How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... CHAPTER 7. How John Tyrannized Over The Rest; And What Mischiefs The Zealots Did
At ... of keeping possession of the city, as being inferior in number to their ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm
Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ...
... upon the first onset, because he found it destitute of any considerable number of
men ... 7. Now Jotapata is almost all of it built on a precipice, having on all ...
/.../chapter 7 vespasian when he.htm
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