Meaning of Numbers
in the Bible

The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 7

In the first part of this book we have enlarged somewhat on the importance of this number in Nature and in Grace, so that we need not here repeat many of the interesting facts already given.

As a number the actual word and number "Seven" is used as no other number is. Seven and its compounds occur in multiples of seven in the Old Testament.

Seven occurs 287 times, or 7 x 41.

"Seventh," the fractional part, occurs 98 times, or 7 x 14.

"Seven-fold," occurs 7 times.

The above three numbers together are of course a multiple of seven, but a very remarkable one, 287 + 98 + 7 = 392, and 392 is 7² + 7³, or 8 times the square of seven (7²x8).

Then again seven, in combination with other numbers, is remarkable, such as Fifty and seven, a Hundred and seven, etc. There are 112 of these combinations, or 7 x 16.

"Seventy" occurs 56 times, or 7 x 8.

"Seventy," in combination with other numbers, occurs 35 times, or 7 x 5.

It is, however, when we come to consider its importance that the true glories of its spiritual perfection are revealed.

We have just seen that six is the number which is stamped upon all things human, as being emphatically the number of man. The two numbers, 6 and 7, are further discussed in its own chapter.

What does the word for 7 mean in Hebrew?

But now turning to the number 7, we must first consider the meaning of the word.

In the Hebrew, 7 is shevah. It is from the root savah, to be full or satisfied, have enough of. Hence the meaning of the word "seven" is dominated by this root, for on the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation. It was full and complete, and good and perfect. Nothing could be added to it or taken from it without marring it. Hence the word Shavath, to cease, desist, rest, and Shabbath, Sabbath, or day of rest.

It is 7, therefore, that stamps with perfection and completeness that in connection with which it is used. Of time, it tells of the Sabbath, and marks off the week of seven days, which, artificial as it may seem to be, is universal and immemorial in its observance amongst all nations and in all times. It tells of that eternal Sabbath-keeping which remains for the people of God in all its everlasting perfection.

In the creative works of God, seven completes the colors of the spectrum and rainbow, and satisfies in music the notes of the scale. In each of these the eighth is only a repetition of the first.

Another meaning of the root Shavagh is to swear, or make an oath. It is clear from its first occurrence in Genesis 21:31, "They sware both of them," that this oath was based upon the "seven ewe lambs" (verses 28-30), which point to the idea of satisfaction or fullness in an oath. It was the security, satisfaction, and fullness of the obligation, or completeness of the bond, which caused the same word to be used for both the number seven and an oath; and hence it is written, "an oath for confirmation is an end of all strife." Beer-sheba, the well of the oath, is the standing witness of the spiritual perfection of the number 7.

The first statement as to the original Creation in Genesis 1:1 consists of 7 words, and 28 letters (4x7).*

* But we ought to note in passing that the next statement, Genesis 1:2, which tells of the ruin into which this Creation fell, though it consists of 14 words, yet it has 52 letters. Now 52 is 4 times 13, and 13, as we shall see further on, is the number of apostasy. Thus the cause of that ruin is more than intimated by the number 13 appearing so significantly in the second verse.

What was the seven-fold blessing Abraham received from God?

Abraham's seven-fold blessing in Genesis 12:2, 3: -

"I will make of thee a great nation,
And I will bless thee,
And make thy name great;
And thou shalt be a blessing;
And I will bless them that bless thee,
And curse him that curseth thee:
And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

With this we may compare God's seven-fold covenant with Israel.

What was God's 7 part Covenant with Israel?

God's seven-fold covenant with Israel in Exodus 6:6-8. 7 times does the expression, "I will" occur in these few verses, stamping the whole with spiritual perfection. These are preceded by "I have" three times repeated (verses 4,5), giving the Divine basis on which the blessing was based: -

I have established My covenant with them, etc.
I have also heard their groaning, etc.
I have remembered My covenant.

Then follows the seven-fold blessing: -

I will bring you out from Egypt.
I will rid you of their bondage.
I will redeem you.
I will take you to Me for a people.
I will be to you a God.
I will bring you in unto the land.
I will give it you.

" . . . Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt." - Numbers 13:22

Egypt was "the house of bondage." Zoan was that city in it where its wise men were shown to be fools (Isaiah 19:11-13). It was also the place where God's miracles were performed which brought out the folly of that human wisdom (Psalm 78:12,43).

But Hebron, which means fellowship, was a place in Canaan, the city of Abraham, "the friend of God," still called today the city of El Khulil, "of the Friend." In its valley, Eschol, grew the finest fruit of Emmanuel's land.

"Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt."

This phrase, thrown in parenthetically, at the moment when His people first discovered the existence of Hebron, contains the intimation of a deep spiritual truth, as shown by the significance of the number 7.

It shows that the sphere of Divine friendship and fellowship and of heavenly delights was established in eternity, seven years marking the spiritual perfection of time, before the wisdom of this world had any existence or place. (See Psalm 90:2, 103:17; Proverbs 8:22-31; Micah 5:2; John 17:5-24; 1Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4-3:11; 2 1Timothy 1:9: Titus 1:2; 1Peter 1:19,20).

What are the 7 sprinklings performed at the temple?

The seven-fold sprinkling implies that it was perfectly and spiritually efficacious.

On the great Day of Atonement the blood was sprinkled "ON the mercy-seat eastward." This was Godward, and therefore it was once done and on the mercy-seat. But "BEFORE the mercy-seat" it was to be sprinkled 7 times. Before* the mercy-seat seven times, because this was the perfect testimony for the people that the atonement for their sins was accomplished.

* It was directly before the Tabernacle that the blood of the red heifer was sprinkled seven times, Numbers 19:4. The leper also was cleansed in the same place with a seven-fold sprinkling of the blood of the killed bird (Leviticus 14:7,11).

The directions for the Day of Atonement are given in Leviticus 16; but from other Scriptures we learn that there were seven sprinklings on that great day, to mark the perfection of accomplished atonement: -

1. On the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:14).
2. Before the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:14).
3. Before the veil (Leviticus 4:17).
4. On the horns of the golden altar (Exodus 30:10).
5. On the horns of the brazen altar (Leviticus 16:18).
6. Round about upon the altar (Leviticus 16:19).
7. The blood that was left poured out at the foot of the brazen altar (Leviticus 4:18).

How are the PSALMS stamped with the number 7?

The Psalms are in many ways stamped with this number of spiritual perfection.

There are 126 Psalms which have titles. That is 7 x 18.

There are seven names mentioned in the titles as the authors of these Psalms, viz.: -

1. David, 56 (7x8).
2. The Sons of Korah, 11 (Psalm 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88).
3. Asaph, 12 (Psalm 50, 73-83).
4. Heman the Ezrahite, 1 (Psalm 88).
5. Ethan the Ezrahite, 1 (Psalm 89).
6. Moses, 1 (Psalm 90).
7. Solomon, 1 (Psalm 72).

There were 14 Psalms (2x7), all David's, which were written on historical occasions; viz., Psalm 3, 7, 18, 30, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63, and 142.

7 Psalms are ascribed to David in the New Testament, specifically, by name: - :

1. Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25, "Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing."

2. Psalm 16 in Acts 2:25, "For David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the LORD always before my face, for He is on my right hand that I should not be moved."

3. Psalm 32 in Romans 4:6, "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."

4. Psalm 41 in Acts 1:16, "This Scripture must needs have been fulfilled which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas."

5. Psalm 69 in Romans 11:9, "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompence unto them."

6. Psalm 95 in Hebrews 4:7, "He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time, as it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice."

7. Psalm 109 in Matthew 22:43, "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord," etc.

It will be observed that these seven quotations are arranged like the golden candlestick, in 2 threes with one in the center, viz.: -

3 in the Acts
1 in the Gospels, and
3 in the Epistles;

Or, like the candlestick -

Who are the 7 MEN OF GOD mentioned in the Old Testament?

There are seven so-called in the Old Testament: -

• Moses, Deuteronomy 33:1, and 5 other times.
• David, 2Chronicles 8:14, and twice.
• Samuel, 1Samuel 9:6, and 3 times.
• Shemaiah, 1Kings 12:22, and once (2Chronicles 11:2).
• Elijah, 7 times.
• Elisha, 2Kings 4:7, and 29 times.
• Igdaliah, once, Jeremiah 35:4.

Timothy, in the New Testament, is also called a man of God, making eight altogether.

How is the number 7 stamped on Israel's Judges?

Seven weak things in Judges are used by God as instruments of deliverance, marking and stamping the spiritual perfection of His work: -

1. A left handed man (3:21), - Ehud delivering from Moab's oppression.

2. An ox-goad (3:31) in the hand of Shamgar, delivering from the Philistines.

3. A woman (4:4), and

4. A tent-peg in the hand of Jael (4:21) [delivering from Jabin, king of Canaan].

5. A piece of a millstone (9:53), thrown by another woman, and delivering the people from Abimelech's usurpation.

6. The pitchers and trumpets of Gideon's 300 (7:20), delivering from the hosts of Midian.

7. The jaw-bone of an ass (15:16), by which Samson delivered Israel from the Philistines.

And why all this in connection with the "savior" (2:16-18), whom God raised up and used? To show that "no flesh shall glory in His presence" (1Corinthians 1:20).

So in later times, whenever God has "done wondrously," He has chosen "the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1Corinthians 1:27). It was so in Apostolic days, and has been so in all ages.

And so through all the ages God has made it clear that it is He who is the worker, and that the instruments He chooses to use are nothing. He usually rejected man's firstborn, and chose a younger son. He took David, the youngest, from the sheepfold, to be ruler over His people, as He had chosen Gideon, the least member of the poorest family in Manasseh, to deliver Israel from the Midianite hosts.

What is the seven-fold qualification for service?

This is seen in Gideon, Judges 6.

1. Conviction as to his own humiliating condition, verse 11, as shown in verse 15.
2. An exercised heart, verse 13, as caused probably by the prophet's testimony, verse 8.
3. No confidence in the flesh, verse 15.
4. Peace with God through grace; the peace of God through gift, verses 17, 18, 22, 23.
5. Worship, verse 24.
6. Obedience in small things, verses 25-27.
7. Power for great things, verses 33-35 and chapter 7.

A careful study of Judges 6 will yield spiritual profit, instructing us as to the ways of God in calling and qualifying His servants.

What is the importance of 7 Oak Trees?

Seven Oak trees are mentioned in the Old Testament; the number 7 being divided into four and three - the first three being connected with burial.

• Genesis 35:4. Jacob buried teraphim.
• Genesis 35:8. Rachel's nurse.
• 2 Samuel 31:13. At Jabesh Saul and his sons buried.
• Joshua 24:26. Joshua set up the stones of witness.
• 2 Samuel 18:9. Absalom's oak.
• Judges 6:11. At Ophrah, where the angel appeared.
• 1Kings 13:14. Where the man of God sat.

What are the 7 miracles written about in the gospel of John?

• The water turned into wine. (John 2:9)

• Healing of the nobleman's son. (John 4:47)

• Healing of crippled man at the pool of Bethesda. (John 5:4-9)

• The feeding of 5,000 people from only five loaves of bread and two fishes. (John 6:10)

• Healing of the man born blind. (John 9:1)

• The raising of Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:43)

• The catching of 153 fishes by some of the disciples. (John 21:6)

These formed the spiritual perfection of the "signs" that Jesus was the Christ.

The 7 Words to the Woman of Samaria

The seven words to the woman of Samaria in John 4 are full of interest, and the perfection of Christ's dealings with her is thus stamped.

1. 4:7. Attracting her attention by His question, "Give Me to drink?"
2. 4:10. Leading her to ask it of Him.
3. 4:13,14. Describing the water which He gives.
4. 4:16. The arrow of conviction, "Go," "call," and "come."
5. 4:17. Increasing the conviction.
6. 4:21-24. Answering her questions and her doubts.
7. 4:26. Revealing Himself.

The Promises to the Churches

The Promises to the Churches are 7 in number. Each contains the solemn exhortation, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." In the first three epistles the promise (which refers to the past in its imagery) follows this exhortation; while in the latter four the promise (which has reference to future blessings) precedes it.

Our attention is thus called to this great exhortation. It tells us that when these epistles were sent, the Church and the churches had all failed in their corporate capacity. They are addressed not to the churches, but to individuals; and all through, individuals are exhorted. It is the same with John's Epistles, written, like his Gospel and the Apocalypse, at the close of the first century. So that we must not and cannot do as we are bidden on every hand, - "Go back to the first three centuries," and "hear the voice of the Church"; for before the close of the first century we are bidden to hear not what the church or the churches say, but to "hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

The 7 Seals

The Seven seals are thus divided; the first four being marked by the command "Come,"* given to the horseman, while the latter three are altogether different.

* The verb means "to come," or "go."

The Seven Trumpets

The Seven trumpets are also divided into three and four, the first four being severed from the latter three by the angel flying saying, "Woe, woe, woe."

The 7 Parables of Matthew 13

The Seven Parables of Matthew 13 are also thus marked, as already shown on analysis of the number 4.

The division is still further marked by the three commencing with the word "Again" (verses 44, 45, and 47), while the four are separated by the word "Another"; thus indicating that in the four we have four different revelations in their relation to the world, while in the three we have a repetition of the one truth in different forms in its relation to God's people.

Miscellaneous examples of the meaning of 7

The seven gifts of Romans 12:6-8.

The 7 titles of Christ in Hebrews:

• Heir of all things, 1:2.
• Captain of our salvation, 2:10.
• Apostle, 3:1.
• Author of salvation, 5:9.
• Forerunner, 6:20.
• High Priest, 10:21.
• Author and finisher of faith, 12:2.

The 7 firstfruits of -

• Resurrection, 1Corinthians 15:20-23.
• The Spirit, Romans 8:23.
• New creation, James 1:18.
• Israel, Romans 11:16.
• The "redeemed from the earth," Revelation 14:5.
• Missions, Romans 16:5.
• Ministry, 1Corinthians 16:15.

The 7 parables of Matthew 13.

The seven-fold "blessed" in Revelation: 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 14.

What are the 7 SECRETS found in the New Testament?

• The kingdom, Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10.

• The partial blindness of Israel, Romans 11:25.

• The Church or Body of Christ, Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3,4,9, 5:32, 6:19; Colossians 1:26,27; Revelation 1:20.

• The first Resurrection, 1Corinthians 15:51.

• The secret purpose of God, Ephesians 1:9; Colossians 2:2; Revelation 10:7.

• The secret purpose of the devil, 2Thessalonians 2:7.

• Babylon, Revelation 17:5, 7.

The seven steps in the humiliation of Jesus and the seven in His exaltation in Philippians 2.

How is seven linked to Israel?

Sometimes a single chapter or separate portion may be taken and dealt with by itself, and thus form a fruitful subject of Bible study. We give an example of Ezekiel 36:

I. Seven things concerning Israel today: -

1. Unclean in the sight of God (verse 29).
2. Possessed of stony hearts (verse 26).
3. Profaning God's holy Name (verses 20, 22).
4. Scattered among the heathen (verse 19).
5. Covered with infamy and shame (verses 3-6).
6. Subject to heathen rule (verse 6).
7. Desolate, forsaken, and a reproach (verses 3,4,30).

II. Seven things God will do to Israel's oppressors: -

1. Speak in jealousy against them (verse 5).
2. Turn their glory into shame (verse 7).
3. Dispossess them of their occupation in the land (verses 10,11).
4. Give them to Israel for a possession (verse 12).
5. Break their power to crush Israel (verses 13,14).
6. Vindicate and glorify His own name among them (verse 22).
7. Teach them that He is God (verses 36,38).

III. Seven things God will do for Israel: -

1. Gather them out of all countries (verse 24).
2. Bring them into their own land (verse 24).
3. Cleanse them from filth and idols (verse 26).
4. Give them new hearts and minds, and His spirit (verses 26,27).
5. Make them again His people (verse 28).
6. Cause them to flourish and multiply (verse 30).
7. Make their end better than their beginning (verse 11).

One or two examples may be given of the numbers in names, etc., though many more are given elsewhere.

• Enoch, "the seventh from Adam" = 84 ( 7 x 12).
• "Heirs of God," in the Greek = 1071 ( 7 x 153).
• "The Lamb," in Greek = 651 (= 7 x 93 or 7 x 3 x 31).

The multiples of seven as a rule partake of the same spiritual importance, and therefore we have not treated all of them specially.

What were the 7 miracles Jesus performed on the SABBATH?

Seven miracles wrought by Christ on the Sabbath day: -

1. The withered hand, Matthew 12:9.

2. The unclean spirit, Mark 1:21.

3. Peter's wife's mother, Mark 1:29.

4. The woman, Luke 13:11.

5. The man with dropsy, Luke 14:2.

6. The impotent man, John 5:8,9.

7. The man born blind, John 9:14.

"The last day" mentioned 7 times in John's Gospel: - John 6:39, 40, 44, 54, 7:37, 11:24, 12:48.