Seventy

/SEV-uhn-tee/

Summary

A significant biblical number representing completeness, being the multiple of the full number seven and the perfect number ten, with important applications in Israel's leadership, prophetic chronology, and Jesus' mission.

☩Significance of the Number

As the product of seven (the number of fullness) and ten (the number of perfection), seventy carries special significance in Scripture. It appears in the complete phrase 'seventy times seven' in Genesis 4:24 and Matthew 18:21, expressing unlimited or complete action.

Key verses:Genesis 4:24Matthew 18:21-22

☩The Seventy Elders

The senate of Israel was composed of seventy elders who assisted Moses in governing the nation. These elders accompanied Moses partway up Mount Sinai and beheld God's glory. Later, the Spirit that was upon Moses was distributed among the seventy elders to help bear the burden of leading the people. This number was preserved in the Sanhedrin, which consisted of seventy members plus the president.

Key verses:Exodus 24:1Exodus 24:9Numbers 11:16Numbers 11:24-25

☩The Seventy Disciples

Jesus appointed seventy (or seventy-two according to some manuscripts) disciples and sent them out in pairs to prepare the way for His final journey to Jerusalem. They were given authority to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God. Upon their return, they rejoiced that even demons were subject to them in Jesus' name.

Key verses:Luke 10:1-17

☩Prophetic Chronology

The Jews were in captivity in Babylon for seventy years, as prophesied by Jeremiah. Daniel's vision of 'seventy weeks' (seventy 'sevens') foretold the time until the coming of Messiah the Prince.

Key verses:Jeremiah 25:11-12Jeremiah 29:10Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:24Zechariah 1:12

Related Verses61 mentions

Numbers· 17 verses

7:13 7:19 7:25 7:31 7:37

Ezra· 8 verses

2:3 2:4 2:5 2:36 2:40

Exodus· 5 verses

1:5 24:1 24:9 38:28 38:29

Genesis· 5 verses

4:24 5:12 5:31 11:26 12:4

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
6.James Hastings (ed.), "Seventy," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
7.James Hastings (ed.), "Seventy," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
8.James Hastings (ed.), "Seventy," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
9.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
10.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seventy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).