Seven
SEVEN
As from the beginning this was the number of days in the week, so it often has in Scripture a sort of emphasis attached to it, and is very generally used as a round or perfect number. Clean beasts were taken into the ark by sevens, Gen 7:1-24 . The years of plenty and famine in Egypt were marked by sevens, Gen 41:1-57 . With the Jews, not only was there a seventh day Sabbath, but every seventh year was a Sabbath, and after every seven times seven years came a jubilee. Their great feasts of unleavened bread and of tabernacles were observed for seven days; the number of animals in many of their sacrifices was limited to seven. The golden candlestick had seven branches. Seven priests with seven trumpets went around the walls of Jericho seven days, and seven times on the seventh day. In the Apocalypse we find seven churches mentioned, seven candlesticks, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven vials, seven plagues, and seven angels to pour them out.Seven is often put for any round or whole number, just as we use “ten” or “a dozen;” so in Mat 12:45 1Sa 2:5 Job 5:19 Pro 26:16,25 Isa 4:1 Jer 15:9 . In like manner, seven times, or sevenfold, means often, abundantly, completely, Gen 4:15,24 Lev 26:24 Psa 12:6 79:12 Mt 18:21. And seventy times seven is a still higher superlative, Mat 18:22 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Seven
See Numbers.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Seven
(, sheba). The frequent recurrence of certain numbers in the sacred literature of the Hebrews is obvious to the most superficial reader; and it is almost equally obvious that these numbers are associated with certain ideas, so as in some instances to lose their numerical force, and to pass over into the province of symbolic signs. This is more or less true of the numbers three, four, seven, twelve, and forty; but seven so far surpasses the rest, both in the frequency with which it recurs, and in the importance of the objects with which it is associated, that it may fairly be termed the representative symbolic number. It has hence attracted considerable attention, and may be said to be the keystone on which the symbolism of numbers depends. The origin of this symbolism is a question that meets us at the threshold of any discussion as to the number seven. Our limits will not permit us to follow out this question to its legitimate extent, but we may briefly state that the views of Biblical critics may be ranged under two heads, according as the symbolism is attributed to theoretical speculations as to the internal properties of the number itself, or to external associations of a physical or historical character. According to the former of these views, the symbolism of the number seven would be traced back to the symbolism of its component elements three and four, the first of which = Divinity, and the second= Humanity, whence seven =Divinity+ Humanity, or, in other words, the union between God and man, as effected by the manifestations of the Divinity in creation and revelation. So again the symbolism of twelve is explained as the symbolism of 3 x 4, or a second combination of the same two elements, though in different proportions, the representative number of Humanity, as a multiplier, assuming a more prominent position (Bhr, Symbolik, 1, 187, 201, 224). This theory is seductive from its ingenuity and its appeal to the imagination, but there appears to be little foundation for it. For
(1) we do not find any indication, in early times at all events, that the number seven was resolved into three and four, rather than into any other arithmetical; elements, such as two and five. Bengel notes such a division as running through the heptads of the Apocalypse (Gnomon, at Rev 16:1), and the remark undoubtedly holds good in certain instances, e.g. the trumpets, the three latter being distinguished from the four former by the triple woe (Rev 8:13); but in other instances, e.g. in reference to the promises (Gnomon, at Rev 2:7), the distinction is not so well established; and even if it were, an explanation might be found in the adaptation of such a division to the subject in hand. The attempt to discover such a distinction in the Mosaic writings as, for instance, where an act is to be done on the third day out of seven (Num 19:12) appears to be a failure.
(2) It would be difficult to show that any associations of a sacred nature were assigned to three and four previously to the sanctity of seven.. This latter number is so far the sacred number that we should be less surprised if, by a process the reverse of the one assumed, sanctity had been subsequently attached to three and four as the supposed elements of seven. But
(3) all such speculations on mere numbers are alien to the spirit of Hebrew thought; they belong to a different stage of society, in which speculation is rife, and is systematized by the existence of schools of philosophy.
We turn to the second class of opinions, which attribute the symbolism of the number seven to external associations. This class may be again subdivided into two, according as the symbolism is supposed to have originated in the observation of purely physical phenomena, or, on the other hand, in the peculiar religious enactments of Mosaism. The influence of the number seven was not restricted to the Hebrews; it prevailed among the Persians (Est 1:10; Est 1:14), among the ancient Indians (Von Bohlen, Alt. Indien, 2, 224 sq.), among the Greeks and Romans to a certain extent, and probably among all nations where the week of seven days was established, as in China, Egypt, Arabia, etc. (Ideler, Chronol. 1, 88, 178; 2, 473). Cicero calls it the knot and cement of all things, as being that by which the natural and spiritual world are comprehended in one idea (Tusc. Quoest. 1, 10). The wide range of the word seven is in this respect an interesting and significant fact with the exception of six, it is the only numeral which the Shemitic languages have in common with the Indo- European; for the Hebrew sheba is essentially the same as , septem, seven, and the Sanskrit, Persian, and Gothic names for this number (Pott, Etym. Forsch. 1, 129). In the countries above enumerated, the institution of seven as a cyclical number is attributed to the observation of the changes of the moon or to the supposed number of the planets. The Hebrews are held by some writers to have borrowed their notions of the sanctity of seven from their heathen neighbors, either wholly or partially (Von Bohlen, Introd. to Genesis 1, 216 sq.; Hengstenberg, Balaam [Clark’s ed.], p. 393); but the peculiarity of the Hebrew view consists in the special dignity of the seventh, and not simply in that of seven. Whatever influence, therefore, may be assigned to astronomical observation or to prescriptive usage, in regard to the original institution of the week, we cannot trace back the peculiar associations of the Hebrews further than to the point when the seventh day was consecrated to the purposes of religious rest.
Assuming this, therefore, as our starting point, the first idea associated with seven would be that of religious periodicity. The Sabbath, being the seventh day, suggested the adoption of seven as the coefficient, so to say, for the appointment of all sacred periods; and we thus find the seventh month ushered in by the Feast of Trumpets, and signalized by the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles and the great Day of Atonement; seven weeks as the interval between the Passover and the Pentecost; the seventh year as the sabbatical year; and the year succeeding 7 x 7 years as the jubilee year. From the idea of periodicity it passed, by an easy transition, to the duration or repetition of religious proceedings; and thus seven days were appointed as the length of the feasts of Passover and Tabernacles; seven days for the ceremonies of the consecration of priests: seven days for the interval to elapse between the occasion and the removal of various kinds of legal uncleanness, as after childbirth, after contact with a corpse, etc.; seven times appointed for aspersion either of the blood of the victim (e.g. Lev 4:6; Lev 16:14) or of the water of purification (Lev 14:51; comp. 2Ki 5:10; 2Ki 5:14); seven things to be offered in sacrifice (oxen, sheep, goats, pigeons, wheat, oil, wine); seven victims to be offered on any special occasion, as in Balaam’s sacrifice (Num 23:1), and especially at the ratification of a treaty, the notion of seven being embodied in the very term () signifying to swear, literally meaning to do seven times (Gen 21:28; comp. Herod. 3, 8 for a similar custom among the Arabians). The same idea is further carried out in the vessels and arrangements of the Tabernacle in the seven arms of the golden candlestick, and the seven chief utensils (altar of burned offerings, laver, showbread table, altar of incense, candlestick, ark, mercy seat).
The number seven, having thus been impressed with the seal of sanctity as the symbol of all connected with the Divinity, was adopted generally as a cyclical number, with the subordinate notions of perfection or completeness. It hence appears in cases where the notion of satisfaction is required, as in reference to punishment for wrongs (Gen 4:15; Lev 26:18; Lev 26:28; Psa 79:12; Pro 6:31), or to forgiveness of them (Mat 18:21). It is again mentioned in a variety of passages too numerous for quotation (e.g. Job 5, 19; Jer 15:9; Mat 12:45) in a sense analogous to that of a round number, but with the additional idea of sufficiency and completeness. To the same head we may refer the numerous instances in which persons or things are mentioned by sevens in the historical portions of the Bible e.g. the seven kine and the seven ears of corn in Pharaoh’s dream, the seven daughters of the priest of Midian, the seven sons of Jesse, the seven deacons, the seven sons of Sceva, the twice seven generations in the pedigree of Jesus (Mat 1:17); and, again, the still more numerous instances in which periods of seven days or seven years are combined with the repetition of an act seven times; as, in the taking of Jericho, the town was surrounded for seven days, and on the seventh day it fell at the blast of seven trumpets borne round the town seven times by seven priests; or, again, at the flood, an interval of seven days elapsed between the notice to enter the ark and the coming of the flood, the beasts entered by sevens, seven days elapsed between the two missions of the dove, etc. So, again, in private life, seven years appear to have been the usual period of a hiring (Gen 29:18), seven days for a marriage festival (Gen 29:27; Jdg 14:12), and the same, or in some cases seventy days, for mourning for the dead (Gen 50:3; Gen 50:10; 1Sa 31:13).
The foregoing applications of the number seven become of great practical importance in connection with the interpretation of some of the prophetical portions of the Bible, and particularly of the Apocalypse. For in this latter book the ever-recurring number seven both serves as the mould which has decided the external form of the work, and also, to a certain degree, penetrates into the essence of it. We have but to run over the chief subjects of that book the seven churches, the seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven vials, the seven angels, the seven spirits before the throne, the seven horns and seven eves of the Lamb, etc. in order to see the necessity of deciding whether the number is to be accepted in a literal or a metaphorical sense in other words, whether it represents a number or a quality. The decision of this question affects not only the number seven, but also the number which stands in a relation of antagonism to seven, viz. the half of seven, which appears under the form of forty two months, =3 years (Rev 13:5); twelve hundred and sixty days, also =3 years (Rev 11:3; Rev 12:6); and, again, a time, times, and half a time, =3 years (Rev 12:14). We find this number frequently recurring in the Old Test., as in the forty- two stations of the wilderness (Numbers 33); the three and a half years of the famine in Elijah’s time (Luk 4:25); the time, times, and the dividing of time; during which the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes was to last (Dan 7:25), a similar period being again described as the midst of the week, i.e. the half of seven years (Dan 9:27); a time, times, and a half (Daniek 12:7); and again, probably, in the number of days specified in Dan 8:14; Dan 12:11-12. If the number seven express the notion of completeness, then the number half-seven =incompleteness and the secondary ideas of suffering and disaster: if the one represent divine agency, the other we may expect to represent human agency. Mere numerical calculations would thus, in regard to unfulfilled prophecy, be either wholly superseded, or, at all events, take a subordinate position to the general idea conveyed. See Journal of Sacred Literature, Oct. 1851, p. 134 sq.; New-Englander, No. 1858. SEE NUMBER.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
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).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Seven
(See NUMBER.) The Semitic has the word in common with the Indo-European languages; Hebrew sheba answering to Latin septem, Greek hepta.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
SEVEN
One obvious feature of the Bible is the frequent occurrence of the number seven. The number seems to have been used to indicate one complete unit fulness, completion, perfection (e.g. Gen 2:2).
This unit of seven features prominently in the organization of Israels religious and community life. One day in seven was a holy day of rest, and this weekly unit provided the framework for various religious festivals (Exo 20:8-11; Lev 23:5-6; Lev 23:15; Lev 23:34; see SABBATH). The details of many of Israels rituals were based on a unit of seven (Lev 4:6; Lev 8:33; Lev 13:4; Lev 14:7-8; Lev 14:51; Lev 23:18). Every seventh year was a year of rest for the land and release for debtors (Lev 25:1-4; Deu 15:1-2; see SABBATICAL YEAR). The symbolic seven gave to ordinary events a special religious significance (Jos 6:4).
The expression seven times seems to have been used as a figure of speech to indicate fulness or finality (Gen 4:15; Gen 4:24, Lev 26:18; Lev 26:21; 1Ki 18:43-44; 2Ki 5:10; Psa 12:6; Psa 119:164; Isa 30:26; Dan 3:19; Mat 18:21-22; cf. Luk 8:2; Luk 11:26; Luk 20:29). A similar symbolic usage of the number seven is common in the book of Revelation (Rev 1:20; Rev 4:5; Rev 5:1; Rev 5:6; Rev 8:2; Rev 10:3; Rev 12:3; Rev 13:1; Rev 15:1).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Seven
SEVEN.See Number, 7.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Seven
sev’n (, shebha; , hepta). See NUMBER.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Seven
This word is used to express the number 6+1. The Lexicons generally, both ancient and modern, also assign to the word and its derivatives the further office of a round or indefinite number, to express a small number, in the sense of several (as we use ten or a dozen). It appears to us possible to resolve the passages quoted in support of this view into the idea of sufficiency, satisfaction, fullness, completeness, perfection, abundance, etc. intimated in the Hebrew root, from which the numeral in question is derived. For instance, 1Sa 2:5, ‘The barren hath born seven,’ that is, hath been blessed with an ample family; Rth 4:15, ‘Better to thee than seven sons,’ i.e. an abundance of them; Pro 26:25, ‘There are seven abominations in his heart,’ i.e. completeness of depravity. Thus also the phrase, ‘To flee seven ways’ (Deu 28:7), denotes a total overthrow; to ‘punish seven times’ (Lev 26:24), to punish completely; ‘Six and seven troubles,’ a very great and entire calamity (Job 5:19); ‘Give a portion to seven, also to eight,’ be not only duly liberal, but abundant; ‘Silver purified seven times,’ perfectly purified (Psa 12:6). The word is used in the New Testament to express the same idea of abundance or completeness. Thus ‘the seven spirits before the throne’ would seem to be a periphrasis of perfection, denoting the Holy Spirit (Rev 1:4). It is most likely that the idea of sufficiency and completeness became originally associated with the number seven, from the Creator having finished, completed, or made sufficient, all his work on the seventh day; and that hence also it was adopted as a sacred number, or a number chiefly employed in religious concerns, in order to remind mankind of the creation and its true author. Thus there were seven offerings in making a covenant (Gen 21:28); seven lamps in the golden candlestick (Exo 37:23); the blood was sprinkled seven times (Lev 4:16-17); every seventh year was sabbatical, seven sabbaths of years in the jubilee (Lev 25:8); seven trumpets, seven priests that sounded them seven days round Jericho, seven lamps, seven seals, etc. etc. Seven was considered a fortunate number among the Persians (Est 1:10-14; Est 2:9). Cicero calls it the knot and cement of all things, as being that by which the natural and spiritual world are comprehended in one idea. Nor is this subject devoid of practical utility. The references which occur in the patriarchal history to the number seven, as denoting a week or period of seven days, sufficiency, etc. and a sacred number, afford a minute, indirect, but not an inconsiderable argument, that the institution of the Sabbath was both established and observed from the commencement; and not, as Paley thinks, during the wandering in the wilderness: an argument abundantly confirmed by the regard to the seventh day, which has prevailed too far and wide among various nations, to be attributed to their comparatively late intercourse with the Jews.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Seven
See NUMBERS AS SYMBOLS.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Seven
Interesting facts concerning the number.
Days:
– Week consists of
Gen 2:3; Exo 20:11; Deu 5:13-14
– Noah in the ark before the flood
Gen 7:4; Gen 7:10
– Noah remains in the ark after sending forth the dove
Gen 8:10; Gen 8:12
– Mourning for Jacob lasted
Gen 50:10
– Mourning of Job lasted
Job 2:13
– The plague of bloody waters in Egypt lasted
Exo 7:25
– The Israelites compassed Jericho
Jos 6:4
– The Passover lasted
Exo 12:15
– Saul directed by Samuel to tarry at Gilgal, awaiting the prophet’s command
1Sa 10:8; 1Sa 13:8
– The elders of Jabesh-Gilead ask for a truce of
1Sa 11:3
– Dedication of the temple lasted double
1Ki 8:65
– Ezekiel sits by the river Chebar in astonishment
Eze 3:15
– The feast of tabernacles lasted
Lev 23:34; Lev 23:42
– Consecration of priests and altars lasted
Exo 29:30; Exo 29:35; Eze 43:25-26
– Defilements lasted
Lev 12:2; Lev 13:4
– Fasts of
1Sa 31:13; 2Sa 12:16; 2Sa 12:18; 2Sa 12:22
– The firstborn of flocks and sheep shall remain with mother, before being offered
Exo 22:30
– The feast of Ahasuerus continued
Est 1:5
– Paul tarries at Tyre
Act 21:4
– Paul tarries at Puteoli
Act 28:14
Weeks:
– In Daniel’s vision concerning the coming of the Messiah
Dan 9:25
– Ten times
Dan 9:24
– The period between the Passover and the Pentecost
Lev 23:15
Months, holy convocations in the seventh month
Lev 23:24-44; Num 29; Eze 45:25
Years:
– Years:
Gen 29:15-30
– Of plenty
Gen 41:1-32; Gen 41:53
– Famine lasted in Egypt
Gen 41:1-32; Gen 41:54-56
– Famine lasted in Canaan
2Sa 24:13; 2Ki 8:1
– Insanity of Nebuchadnezzar
Dan 4:32
– Seven times, the period between the jubilees
Lev 25:8
Miscellany of sevens:
– Of clean beasts taken into the ark
Gen 7:2
– Abraham gives Abimelech seven lambs
Gen 21:28
– Rams and bullocks to the number of, required in sacrifices
Lev 23:18; Num 23:1; Num 29:32; 1Ch 15:26; Eze 45:23
– Blood sprinkling seven times
Lev 4:6; Lev 14:7
– Oil sprinkling seven times
Lev 14:16
– Seven kine and seven ears of corn in Pharaoh’s vision
Gen 41:2-7
– The Israelites compassed Jericho seven times, on the seventh day sounding seven trumpets
Jos 6:4
– Elisha’s servant looked seven times for appearance of rain
1Ki 18:43
– Naaman required to wash in Jordan seven times
2Ki 5:10
– Seven steps in the temple seen in Ezekiel’s vision
Eze 40:22; Eze 40:26
– The heat of Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace intensified sevenfold
Dan 3:19
– The light of the sun intensified sevenfold
Isa 30:26
– The threatened sevenfold punishment of Israel
Lev 26:18-21
– Silver purified seven times
Psa 12:6
– Worshiping seven times a day
Psa 119:164
– Seven chamberlains at the court of Ahasuerus
Est 1:10
– Seven princes at the court of Ahasuerus
Est 1:14
– Seven counsellors at the court of Artaxerxes
Ezr 7:14
– Seven maidens given to Esther
Est 2:9
– Symbolic of many sons
Rth 4:15; 1Sa 2:5; Jer 15:9
– Symbolic of liberality
Ecc 11:1-2
– Seven magi
Pro 26:16
– Seven women shall seek polygamous marriage
Isa 4:1
– Seven shepherds to be sent forth against Assyria
Mic 5:5-6
– Seven lamps and pipes
Zec 4:2
– Seven deacons in the apostolic church
Act 6:3
– Seven churches in Asia
Rev 1:4; Rev 1:20
– Seven seals
Rev 5:1
– Seven thunders
Rev 10:3
– Seven heads and seven crowns
Rev 12:3; Rev 13:1; Rev 17:9
– Seven kings
Rev 17:10
– Seven stars
Rev 1:16; Rev 1:20; Rev 3:1; Amo 5:8
– Seven spirits
Rev 1:4; Rev 3:1; Rev 4:5; Rev 5:6
– Seven eyes of the Lord
Zec 3:9; Zec 4:10; Rev 5:6
– Seven golden candlesticks
Rev 1:12
– Seven angels with seven trumpets
Rev 8:2
– Seven plagues
Rev 15:1
– Seven horns and seven eyes
Rev 5:6
– Seven angels with seven plagues
Rev 15:6
– Seven golden vials
Rev 15:7
– Scarlet-colored beast having seven heads
Rev 17:3; Rev 17:7
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Seven
Seven. Among the Hebrews this was a kind of complete or sacred number. It was noted also among the Persians, ancient Indians, Greeks and Romans. The peculiarity of the Hebrew view consists in the special dignity of the seventh, and not simply in that of seven. The Sabbath being the seventh day suggested the adoption of seven as the coefficient, so to say, for the appointment of all sacred periods, and we thus find the seventh month ushered in by the Feast of Trumpets, and signalized by the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Great Day of Atonement; seven weeks as the interval between the Passover and the Pentecost; the seventh year as the sabbatical year; and the year succeeding 7 7 years as the Jubilee year. Seven days were appointed as the length of the feasts of Passover and Tabernacles; seven days for the ceremonies of the consecration of priests, and so on; seven victims to be offered on any special occasion, as in Baalam’s sacrifice, Num 23:1, and especially at the ratification of a treaty, the notion of seven being embodied in the very term signifying to swear, literally meaning to do seven times. Gen 21:28. As to the reason of the fact, three is the signature of God, in the ever-blessed Trinity; four of the worldfour elements, four seasons, four winds, etc., etc. There are reasons, then, amply sufficient, why seven, being thus, as it is, made up of three and four, should be itself the signature of the covenant. No mere accident or caprice dictated the selection of it. Seven is used for any round number, or for completeness, as we say a dozen, or as a speaker says he will say two or three words. Notice, the animals went into the ark by sevens; the years of plenty and famine were marked by sevens, Gen 7:2; Gen 41:2-3; the golden candlestick had seven branches, and there were “seven stars” and seven churches. Rev 1:20; Rev 2:1. In the same book we read of seven spirits, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven vials, seven plagues, and seven angels. Rev 8:1; Rev 15:1.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Seven
Seven. The frequent recurrence of certain numbers, in the sacred literature of the Hebrews, is obvious to the most superficial reader, but seven so far surpasses the rest, both in the frequency with which it recurs, and in the importance of the objects with which it is associated, that it may fairly be termed the representative symbolic number. The influence of the number seven was not restricted to the Hebrews; it prevailed among the Persians, ancient Indians, Greeks and Romans. The peculiarity of the Hebrew view consists in the special dignity of the seventh, and not simply in that of seven.
The Sabbath, being the seventh day, suggested the adoption of seven as the coefficient, so to say, for their appointment of all sacred periods; and we, thus find, the 7th month ushered in by the Feast of Trumpets, and signalized by the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Great Day of Atonement; 7 weeks as the interval between the Passover, and the Pentecost; the 7th year as the Sabbatical Year; and the year succeeding 7X7 years as the Jubilee Year.
Seven days were appointed as the length of the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles; 7 days for the ceremonies of the consecration of priests, and so on; 7 victims to be offered on any special occasion, as in Balaam’s sacrifice; Num 23:1; and especially at the ratification of a treaty, the notion of seven being embodied in the very term signifying to swear, literally meaning to do so seven times. Gen 31:28. Seven is used for any round number, or for completeness, as we say a dozen, or as a speaker says, he will say two or three words.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
SEVEN
(1) The Number of Perfection
Exo 25:37; Deu 28:25; Job 5:19; Pro 26:16; Ecc 11:2; Isa 4:1; Isa 11:15
Mar 16:9; Rev 1:12; Rev 5:6; Rev 8:2; Rev 10:3; Rev 15:1; Rev 17:1
(2) Seven Attitudes of the Spiritual Life
Lying down, for spiritual rest
Psa 23:2
Sitting, for instruction
Luk 10:39
Standing, for warfare
Eph 6:14
Walking, for fellowship
1Jo 1:7
Running, for progress
Heb 12:1
Leaping, for ecstasy
Act 3:8
Mounting up, for exaltation
Isa 40:31
(3) Seven Things Opened
Hands, for benevolence
Deu 15:8
Eyes, for vision
2Ki6:17
Ears, for hearing
Psa 40:6
Lips, for testimony
Psa 51:15
Windows, for prayer
Dan 6:10
Heart, for God’s message
Act 16:14
Doors, for service
2Co 2:12
(4) Seven Times, indicating completion
Blood sprinkled
Lev 4:6
The Leper sprinkled
Lev 14:7; Num 19:4
Priests encompass Jericho
Jos 6:4
Elisha’s servant looks for rain
1Ki 18:43
Naaman dips in the Jordan
2Ki5:10
Praise seven times a day
Psa 119:164
The just man riseth after falling
Pro 24:16; Dan 3:19; Mat 18:21
(5) Seven Figures, used to express Christian Influence and
Responsibility
“Witnesses” (testifying)
Isa 43:10
“Salt” (preserving)
Mat 5:13
“Light” (illuminating)
Mat 5:14
“Branches” (bearing fruit)
Joh 15:5
“Epistles” (instructing)
2Co 3:2
“Ambassadors” (representing)
2Co 5:20
“Stewards” (distributing)
1Pe 4:10
— Days. See PERIODS AND NUMBERS
— Last Sayings of Christ. See CHRIST JESUS
— Years. See PERIODS AND NUMBERS
SEVENTY. SEE 2741
Fuente: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
Seven
whence Eng. words beginning with “hept,” corresponds to the Heb. sheba’ (which is akin to saba’, signifying “to be full, abundant”), sometimes used as an expression of fullness, e.g., Rth 4:15, it generally expresses completeness, and is used most frequently in the Apocalypse; it is not found in the Gospel of John, nor between the Acts and the Apocalypse, except in Heb 11:30 (in Rom 11:4 the numeral is heptakischilioi, “seven thousand”); in Mat 22:26 it is translated “seventh” (marg., “seven”).
Note: In 2Pe 2:5, RV, “Noah with seven others” is a translation into idiomatic English of the Greek idiom “Noah the eighth person” (so AV, translating literally). See EIGHT.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Seven
The number seven is consecrated, in the holy books and in the religion of the Jews, by a great number of events and mysterious circumstances. God created the world in the space of seven days, and consecrated the seventh day to repose. The rest of the seventh day, according to St. Paul, Heb 4:4, intimates eternal rest. And not only the seventh day is honoured among the Jews, by the repose of the Sabbath, but every seventh year is also consecrated to the rest of the earth, by the name of a sabbatical year; as also the seven times seventh year, or forty- ninth year is the year of jubilee. In the prophetic style a week often stands for seven years, Dan 9:24-26. Jacob served his father-in-law Laban seven years for each of his daughters. Pharaoh’s mysterious dream represented to his imagination seven fat oxen, and seven lean ones; seven full ears of corn, and as many that were empty and shrivelled. These stood for seven years of plenty, and seven of scarcity. The number of seven days is observed in the octaves of the great solemnities of the passover, of tabernacles, and of the dedication of the tabernacle and the temple; the seven branches of the golden candlestick, the number of seven sacrifices appointed on several occasions, Num 27:11; Num 29:17-21, &c. Seven trumpets, seven priests that sounded them, seven days to surround the walls of Jericho, Jos 6:4; Jos 6:6; Jos 6:8. In the Revelation, are the seven churches, seven, candlesticks, seven spirits, seven stars, seven lamps, seven seals, seven angels, seven phials, seven plagues, &c. In certain passages, the number seven is put for a great number. Isa 4:1, says that seven women should lay hold on one man, to ask him to marry them. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, says, 1Sa 2:5, that she who was barren should have seven children. Jer 15:9, makes use of the same expression. God threatens his people to smite them seven times for their transgressions, Lev 26:24, that is to say, several times. The Psalmist, speaking of very pure silver, says it is purified seven times,
Psa 12:6. And elsewhere, Render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom, Psa 79:12; punish them severely, and as often as they deserve it. The slayer of Cain was to be punished seven times; but of Lamech seventy times seven times, Gen 4:15; Gen 4:24. The slothful man thinks himself wiser than seven men, that set forth proverbs, Pro 26:16; he thinks himself of more worth than many wise men. St. Peter asks our Saviour, Mat 18:21-22, How many times should he forgive his brother? till seven times? And Christ answers him, I say not only seven times, but seventy times seven; meaning, as often as he may offend, however frequent it may be.
Fuente: Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Seven
(c) This number is used to represent GOD’s complete provision both in CHRIST and in His dealings with men.
– the seven days make a perfect week.
– the seven colors make a perfect spectrum.
– the seven notes on the piano make a perfect scale.
– the seven articles of furniture in the tabernacle make a perfect picture of the Christian life.
– the seven “eyes” describe the perfect omniscience of the Holy Spirit (Zec 3:9).
The number seven occurs very frequently throughout the book of Revelation, and in each case it indicates the perfect character of GOD, His perfect integrity, equity and justice in all His dealings with men.