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.
Seven, by Itself
But now turning to the number Seven, we must first consider the meaning of the word.
In the Hebrew, seven is (ba#$e (shevah). It is from the root (ba#$&af (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 tba#$af (Shavath), to cease, desist, rest, and tb@af#$a Shabbath, Sabbath, or day of rest. This root runs through various languages; e.g., Sanscrit, saptan; Zend., hapta; Greek, epta (hepta); Latin, septem. All these preserve the "t," which in the Semitic and Teutonic languages is dropped out; e.g. Gothic, sibun; German, sieben; English, seven.
It is seven, 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 (ba#$af (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 28,29,30), which point to the idea of satisfaction or fulness in an oath. It was the security, satisfaction, and fulness 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 seven. The number meets us on
The Forefront of Revelation
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. The Words of Jehovah
The words of Jehovah are pure words. They are not angelic words (2Corinthians 12:4; 1Corinthians 13:1), not words pertaining to heaven; but words used by men on this earth, human words, and therefore they have to be perfectly purified, as silver is purified in a furnace. In Psalm 12:6, there is an ellipsis which requires the word "words" to be repeated from the previous clause. Then we can take the preposition l, (Lamed), which means "to," in its natural sense. The Authorized Version translates it of ("a furnace of earth"); and the Revised Version renders it on ("a furnace on the earth"). Both are wrong through not seeing and supplying the ellipsis which would have enabled them to translate the l to, or pertaining to, literally. Thus:—
a. The words of Jehovah are pure words,
b. As silver tried in a furnace: a. [Words] pertaining to the earth, b. Purified seven times.
Here we have the four lines complete, in which "a" corresponds to "a," the subject being the words of Jehovah. While in "b" and "b" we have the purifying: in "b" of silver, and in "b" of the earthly words which Jehovah uses.
Jehovah takes up and uses words "pertaining to this world," but they require purifying. Some words He does not use at all; some He uses with a higher meaning; others He uses with a new meaning: thus they are purified. Now, silver is refined "seven times." So these words have to be perfectly purified before they can be used as "the words of Jehovah."
Abraham's Seven-fold Blessing
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
Jehovah's Seven-fold Covenant with Israel
Jehovah's seven-fold covenant with Israel in Exodus 6:6-8. Seven 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 seven.
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; 1 Peter 1:19,20).
The Seven-fold Sprinkling
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 seven 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:—
- On the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:14).
- Before the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:14).
- Before the veil (Leviticus 4:17).
- On the horns of the golden altar (Exodus 30:10).
- On the horns of the brazen altar (Leviticus 16:18).
- Round about upon the altar (Leviticus 16:19).
- The blood that was left poured out at the foot of the brazen altar (Leviticus 4:18).
The Psalms
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.:—
- David, 56 (7x8).
- The Sons of Korah, 11 (Psalm 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88).
- Asaph, 12 (Psalm 50, 73-83).
- Heman the Ezrahite, 1 (Psalm 88).
- Ethan the Ezrahite, 1 (Psalm 89).
- Moses, 1 (Psalm 90).
- 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.
Seven 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 centre, viz.:—
3 in the Acts
1 in the Gospels, and
3 in the Epistles; Or, like the candlestick—
GOSPEL
Matthew 23:43 |
Acts 1:16 ----- | ¦ | ----- Romans 4:6 |
Acts 2:25 -------- | ¦ | -------- Romans 11:9 |
Acts 4:25 ----------- | ¦ | ------------ Hebrews 4:7 |
| ¦ |
|
The Seven Quotations from Psalm 69 in New Testament
The seven quotations from Psalm 69 in the New Testament show that this Psalm is one of great importance, and mark its spiritual perfection, in connection with the Lord Jesus.
1. Verse 4. The Lord Himself quotes this when the Eleven are gathered round Him just after the institution of the Supper, after telling them to expect the hatred of the world, because He had chosen them out of it. John 15:18-25. 2. Verse 9. Again, concerning the Lord, His disciples remembered that it was written. John 2:13-17. 3. Verse 9. The Holy Spirit uses it to hold up Christ as a pattern, even as Christ pleased not Himself. Romans 15:3. 4. Verse 21. At the crucifixion this was fulfilled. Matthew 27:34, 48. 5. Verses 22 and 23. The Holy Spirit, referring to the fact that Israel had not obtained that which it sought for, but only the elect remnant, the rest being blinded, says Romans 11:7-10. 6. Verses 24 and 27. Referring to the persecution of Christians by the Jews, the Holy Spirit says 1 Thessalonians 2:15, 16. 7. Verses 25 and 27. The Lord, in His last denunciation, closing His testimony against Jerusalem, says Matthew 23:29-38. This seven is divided into the usual four and three; four of the quotations being in the Gospels, and three being in the Epistles. Further, they occur in the first and last of the Gospels, and in the first and last of the Epistles written to Churches. Thus they are stamped by the number of spiritual perfection.
In Matthew 2 | 4 in the Gospels | 7 |
In John 2 |
In Romans 2 | 3 in the Epistles |
In Thessalonians 1 |
"Man of God"
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, 1 Kings 12:22, and once (2Chronicles 11:2).
- Elijah, 7 times.
- Elisha, 2 Kings 4:7, and 29 times.
- Igdaliah, once, Jeremiah 35:4.
One in the New Testament on Resurrection ground (Timothy), making eight altogether.
Seven Weak Things in 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" (1 Cor 1:27). It was so in Apostolic days, and has been so in all ages. It was Luther, a miner's son, by whom God "shook the world." It was Calvin, a cooper's son in Picardy, by whom God built up His church in the Faith. It was Zwingle, a shepherd's son in the Alps, by whom God established the Reformation in Switzerland. It was John Knox, the son of a plain burgess in a country town, who caused Scotland to be known as "the Land of Knox."
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.
Seven-fold Qualification For Service
This is seen in Gideon, Judges 6.
- Conviction as to his own humiliating condition, verse 11, as shown in verse 15.
- An exercised heart, verse 13, as caused probably by the prophet's testimony, verse 8.
- No confidence in the flesh, verse 15.
- Peace with God through grace; the peace of God through gift, verses 17, 18, 22, 23.
- Worship, verse 24.
- Obedience in small things, verses 25-27.
- 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.
Seven Oak Trees
Seven Oak trees are mentioned in the Old Testament; the seven 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.
- 1 Kings 13:14. Where the man of God sat.
Seven of Jesse's Sons
Seven of Jesse's sons passed before Samuel (1Samuel 16) to show that the perfection of nature can yield nothing for God.
Seven Miracles In John's Gospel
- 2. The water turned into wine.
- 4:47. The nobleman's son.
- 5:4. At the pool of Bethesda.
- 6. The feeding of the 5,000.
- 9:1. The man born blind.
- 11. The raising of Lazarus.
- 21. The draught of fishes.
These formed the spiritual perfection of the "signs" that Jesus was the Christ.
The Seven 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.
- 4:7. Attracting her attention by His question, "Give Me to drink?"
- 4:10. Leading her to ask it of Him.
- 4:13,14. Describing the water which He gives.
- 4:16. The arrow of conviction, "Go," "call," and "come."
- 4:17. Increasing the conviction.
- 4:21-24. Answering her questions and her doubts.
- 4:26. Revealing Himself.
The Seven Appearances of Angels*
* There were three appearances before the birth of Jesus:—(1) to Zacharias (Luke 1:1); (2) to Mary (Luke 1:26); (3) to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Altogether there were ten, which completes the perfection of Divine order. It would prove a fruitful source of profit to make a close study of all the words and sayings of angels. The seven appearances of angels during the life of Jesus on earth.
- To the shepherds (Luke 2:9).
- To Joseph (Matthew 2:13).
- To Joseph (Matthew 2:19).
- After the Temptation (Matthew 4:11).
- In Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).
- At the Resurrection (Matthew 28:2).
- At the Ascension (Acts 1:10).
The Seven things which Spiritually Defile
The seven things which spiritually defile come "out of the heart," and complete the picture of spiritual defilement, emphasizing the fact that spiritual defilement is caused, not by that which goeth "into the mouth," but by that which cometh "out of the heart" (Matthew 15:19).
There is no end to the mere enumeration of the groups of seven things which are to be found in the Bible. Many students have noted them, and some have published lists of their discoveries. This part of our subject is so well-known and well-trodden, that we may here leave it, merely noting a few miscellaneous examples. Mr. Samuell points out some curious facts in connection with
The Ten Commandments
These were written with the finger of God, and would, therefore, be specially stamped with this symbol of spiritual perfection.
- Seven of them commence with the word )l, not.
- The word Mwy, day, occurs seven times.
- The preposition b, in, seven times.
- The preposition l, to, 14 times.
- "Upon" and "above" together, seven times.
- "Serve," "servant," "maidservant," together, seven times.
- The relationship of "father," "mother," "son," "daughter," "wife," together, seven times.
- The numbers "third," "fourth," "six," "seventh," and "thousands," together, seven times.
- "Lord" and "God," together, 14 times.
- There are seven different pronouns used, in all 49 times (72)*
* Omitting "thy" before "stranger" (Commandment 4) with LXX and Vulgate. - The 3rd person singular pronoun occurs seven times.
- The conjunction "and" seven times in Commandment 2.
- The definite article seven times in Commandment 4.
- Commandment 4 forbids the doing of any work on the seventh day to seven persons and things.
- Commandment 10 forbids coveting to seven persons and things.
- Commandment 3 contains 21 (7x3) simple words.
- Commandment 9 contains 7; and
- Commandment 10 contains 28 (7x4).
The Division of Seven into Four and Three
The division of seven into four and three is generally noticeable. It is specially so in the Apocalypse.
The Promises to the Churches
The Promises to the Churches are seven 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 Seven 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 Seven 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
The seven gifts of Romans 12:6-8.
The seven unities of Ephesians 4:4-6.
The seven characteristics of wisdom, James 3:17.
The seven gifts of Christ in John's Gospel:
- His flesh, 6:51.
- His life, 10:11.
- His example, 13:15.
- The comforter, 14:16.
- "My peace," 14:27.
- His words, 17:8,14.
- His glory, 17:22.
The seven "better" things in Hebrews:
- Testament, 7:22.
- Promises, 8:6.
- Substance, 10:34.
- Hope, 7:19.
- Sacrifices, 9:23.
- Country, 11:16.
- Thing 11:35.
The seven 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 seven-fold "once," apax (hapax). Once for all, in Hebrews (9:7,26,27,28, 10:2, 12:26,27).
The Seven exhortations in Hebrews, "Let us," 10:22, 23, 24, 12:1, 28, 13:13, 15.
The seven graces of 2 Peter 1:5-7.
The seven-fold ascriptions of praise in Revelation 5:12, 7:12, etc.
The seven "eternal" things in Hebrews:
- A priest for ever, 5:6.
- Eternal salvation, 5:9.
- Eternal judgment, 6:2.
- Eternal redemption, 9:12.
- Eternal spirit, 9:14.
- Eternal inheritance, 9:15.
- Everlasting covenant, 13:20.
The seven 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 seven parables of Matthew 13.
The seven-fold "blessed" in Revelation: 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 14.
The seven "mysteries" or secrets:
- 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.
The seven words of Jesus from the Cross:
· "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," Luke 23:34. · "Verily, I say unto thee today: Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise," Luke 23:43. · "My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken Me," Matthew 27:46. · "Woman, behold thy son...Behold thy mother," John 19:26. · "I thirst," John 19:28. · "Father, into Thy hand I commend My spirit," Luke 23:46. · "It is finished," John 19:30. Seven-fold occurrence of the expression "in Christ," in 2 Timothy: 1:1, 9, 13, 2:1, 10, 2:12, 15.
The mystery of God is completed in the seventh vial of the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal.
The "seventh" man "from Adam" "was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24).
The day of atonement was in the seventh month (Leviticus 16:29).
The clean beasts were taken into the Ark by sevens (Genesis 7:2). (The others were taken by twos, 6:19).
Seven steps lead up to the temple in Ezekiel 40.
The Lord's Prayer contains seven petitions. These are divided into four and three. The first three relate to God, the four to man.
Seven washings are typical of our complete spiritual cleansing (2 Kings 5:14). |
.JPG)
n the holy place there was no window or place to let in the light. It was lit from a glorious golden lampstand, which stood directly opposite the table on the south side in the Holy Place. Made from one piece of solid beaten gold it weighed about 43 kg. (over 100 lbs.). In Hebrew it is known as the 'menorah' and has developed into one of the most commonly used symbols of Judaism.