The number 70 is very important in the Bible. It shows up in many different places and has a special meaning. In the Bible, the number 70 is used to represent completeness, fullness, and the idea of a large group or community. For example, the Bible talks about 70 elders who helped lead the people of Israel. Jesus also sent out 70 of his followers to spread his message. The number 70 is also used in a prophecy about the time when the Messiah, or savior, would come. Understanding the meaning of the number 70 in the Bible can help us better understand the stories and teachings in the Bible.
The Symbolism of 70 in Scripture
The number 70 is very important in the Bible. It is used to represent many important ideas and beliefs. Here are 6 key ways the number 70 is used symbolically in the Bible:
- Completeness and Fullness
The number 70 is often used to represent something that is complete or full. For example, the Bible talks about 70 elders who helped lead the people of Israel. This group of 70 represented the full leadership of the nation. The number 70 shows that the group was complete and able to do its job of guiding the people. - A Large Group or Community
The number 70 is also used to represent a large group or community. When the Bible talks about 70 nations or 70 disciples, it is showing that these groups were big and included many people. The number 70 is a way to say that the group was large and important. - Diversity and Inclusion
Related to representing a large group, the number 70 is also used to show diversity and inclusion. The 70 nations mentioned in the Bible included many different types of people from all over the world. The 70 disciples sent out by Jesus also came from different backgrounds. The number 70 represents the idea that God’s love and message is for everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. - A Long Period of Time
In the prophecy of the 70 weeks in the book of Daniel, the number 70 is used to represent a long period of time. The prophecy talks about 70 “weeks” which likely means 70 sets of 7 years, or 490 years total. This shows that the number 70 can symbolize a very long time period, especially when it comes to God’s plans and purposes. - A Significant Moment in History
When the number 70 is used in the Bible, it often marks an important moment or turning point in history. The sending out of the 70 disciples by Jesus was a key moment in his ministry. The 70 weeks prophecy in Daniel points to the coming of the Messiah. The number 70 helps highlight these moments as especially significant in God’s plan. - Spiritual Renewal and Restoration
The number 70 is sometimes used in the Bible to represent spiritual renewal, restoration, and a fresh start. The Israelites were exiled for 70 years, after which they were able to return to their land and rebuild. The number 70 shows that this period of exile was complete, and now it was time for a new beginning. In this way, 70 can symbolize God’s ability to bring new life and hope even after difficult times.
The 70 Elders of Israel
In the book of Numbers in the Bible, God told Moses to choose 70 elders to help him lead the people of Israel. These 70 elders were special leaders who helped Moses make decisions and guide the people.
God wanted Moses to pick men who were respected and wise. Moses chose 70 men who fit this description. These 70 elders were given the power to help Moses lead the people. They could make important decisions and help solve problems that came up.
The number 70 was chosen for a reason. In the Bible, the number 70 often represents a large group or community. By choosing 70 elders, God was showing that this was a significant group of leaders who would have a big impact on the people of Israel.
The 70 elders were given God’s Spirit to help them lead. This meant they had special wisdom and guidance from God to make good choices. The elders met with Moses and God to discuss important matters. They helped Moses make decisions that affected the whole nation of Israel.
Having 70 elders was important because the people of Israel were a large group. Moses could not lead them all by himself. The 70 elders helped spread out the responsibility of leadership. They made sure the people’s needs were met and that God’s laws were followed.
The story of the 70 elders shows how God provides leaders to guide his people. The number 70 represents the completeness of this group of leaders. They worked together with Moses to lead the nation of Israel and help the people follow God. The 70 elders were an important part of Israel’s history and the way God guided his chosen people.
The 70 Disciples of Jesus
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus chose 70 of his followers to go out and spread his message. This was in addition to the 12 disciples that Jesus had already selected. Jesus wanted to have a larger group of people teaching others about him and his teachings.
The 70 disciples were sent out in pairs to different towns and cities. Jesus gave them the power to heal the sick and cast out demons. He wanted them to prepare the way for him to visit these places and share his message.
The Purpose and Mission of the 70 Disciples
The main purpose of sending out the 70 disciples was to:
- Spread the good news about Jesus and his teachings.
- Demonstrate the power of God by healing people and driving out evil spirits.
- Prepare the way for Jesus to come and minister to the people in those towns.
Jesus wanted the 70 disciples to go ahead of him and share his message. He knew that having a larger group of people teaching about him would help more people hear and understand his teachings.
The 70 disciples were given authority by Jesus to do miracles and cast out demons. This showed the people that Jesus had power over sickness and evil. It helped convince them that Jesus was the Messiah, the special leader sent by God.
The Symbolic Meaning of the Number 70
The number 70 is significant in the Bible. It often represents a large, complete group of people. By sending out 70 disciples, Jesus was showing that he had a large, full group of followers who would spread his message.
The number 70 may also connect to the 70 elders that Moses chose to help lead the Israelites in the Old Testament. Just as those 70 elders were important leaders, the 70 disciples that Jesus sent out were key to spreading his teachings.
70 Weeks Prophecy in the Book of Daniel
The book of Daniel in the Bible contains an important prophecy about 70 weeks. This prophecy is significant because it is seen as foretelling the coming of the Messiah, or the savior that God would send.
The prophecy starts by saying that 70 “weeks” would pass before a special event would happen. In the Bible, the word “week” is sometimes used to mean 7 years. So the 70 weeks prophecy is really talking about 70 periods of 7 years, which equals 490 years.
The prophecy states that during this 490-year period, several important things would happen. First, the people of Israel would be restored and their sins would be forgiven. Then, an “Anointed One” or Messiah would come. After the Messiah came, the prophecy says the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Many Christians believe this 70 weeks prophecy is referring to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. They see Jesus as the Messiah who came during this 490-year period. His death on the cross is seen as the event that would forgive the sins of the people.
The destruction of Jerusalem that is mentioned in the prophecy is believed to be referring to the Roman destruction of the city in 70 AD, several decades after Jesus’ time. This would mean the 70 weeks prophecy accurately foretold major events surrounding the life of Jesus and the early Christian church.
The 70 Nations in the Table of Nations
The List of 70 Nations
In the book of Genesis, the Bible includes a list of 70 different nations or peoples. This list is often called the “Table of Nations.” It describes how the various peoples and languages of the world developed after the great flood in the time of Noah.
The 70 nations listed in this table include well-known ancient civilizations like Egypt, Babylon, and Greece. But it also includes many smaller tribes and ethnic groups that were part of the ancient world. The list provides a comprehensive overview of the diversity of humanity at that time.
The 70 nations are made up of the descendants of Noah’s three sons – Shem, Ham, and Japheth:
Descendants of Japheth (14 nations):
- Gomer
- Magog
- Madai
- Javan
- Tubal
- Meshech
- Tiras
- Ashkenaz
- Riphath
- Togarmah
- Elishah
- Tarshish
- Kittim
- Dodanim
Descendants of Ham (30 nations):
- Cush
- Mizraim (Egypt)
- Put
- Canaan
- Seba
- Havilah
- Sabtah
- Raamah
- Sabteca
- Nimrod
- Ludim
- Anamim
- Lehabim
- Naphtuhim
- Pathrusim
- Casluhim
- Caphtorim
- Sidon
- Heth
- the Jebusites
- the Amorites
- the Girgashites
- the Hivites
- the Arkites
- the Sinites
- the Arvadites
- the Zemarites
- the Hamathites
Descendants of Shem (26 nations):
- Elam
- Asshur
- Arpachshad
- Lud
- Aram
- Uz
- Hul
- Gether
- Mash
- Shelah
- Eber
- Peleg
- Joktan
- Almodad
- Sheleph
- Hazarmaveth
- Jerah
- Hadoram
- Uzal
- Diklah
- Obal
- Abimael
- Sheba
- Ophir
- Havilah
- Jobab
So in total, the biblical “Table of Nations” lists 70 distinct nations or peoples descended from Noah’s three sons. This was seen as representing the completeness and diversity of humanity at that time.
The Symbolic Meaning of 70
The number 70 is significant in this list of nations. In the Bible, the number 70 is often used to represent completeness, fullness, or a large, representative group. By listing 70 different nations, the Bible is conveying the idea that this represents all the major peoples and cultures of the known world at that time.
Some interpretations also see the number 70 as symbolizing the unity of humanity, even with all its diversity. Despite the 70 distinct nations, they all descended from the same ancestors – Noah and his family. This suggests a fundamental oneness and shared origins of all people.
The Significance for Understanding the World
The Table of Nations in Genesis is important because it gives us a biblical perspective on the origins and diversity of the human race. It shows that God created all the different peoples and languages, but they are still part of one human family descended from Noah.
This understanding challenges ideas of racial or ethnic superiority. It reminds us that all people, regardless of their background, are equal in God’s sight and part of his creation. The 70 nations represent the rich human civilization that God has brought into being.
The Jubilee Year and the Number 70
The concept of the Jubilee year is found in the Old Testament book of Leviticus. According to the Bible, every 50 years the Israelites were supposed to observe a special Jubilee year. This Jubilee year was a time of celebration, restoration, and release.
During the Jubilee year, all land that had been sold was returned to its original owners. Any Israelites who had become slaves were set free. Debts were forgiven, and the people were to rest from their normal work. It was a year of renewal and a fresh start for the whole community.
The number 70 is connected to the Jubilee year in an interesting way. The Jubilee was to be celebrated every 7 times 7 years, which equals 49 years. Then the 50th year was designated as the Jubilee year. So in a sense, the Jubilee year came at the end of a 70-year cycle.
This 70-year cycle represented a completeness or fullness of time. After 7 cycles of 7 years, the 50th year was set apart as holy and a time to restore what had been lost. The number 70 signified that this was a significant, divinely-appointed period of time.
The Jubilee year was meant to be a tangible expression of God’s desire for justice, mercy, and restoration in society. By forgiving debts, freeing slaves, and returning land to its rightful owners, the Jubilee put into practice the biblical principles of compassion and equality.
Observing the Jubilee year every 70 years was also a way for the Israelites to remember their identity as God’s chosen people. It reminded them that ultimately, all the land and resources belonged to God, not to individual owners. The Jubilee was a way to honor God and live according to his will for a just and righteous society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number 70 is a significant number in the Bible, appearing in various contexts such as the 70 elders of Israel, the 70 disciples of Jesus, the 70 weeks prophecy, the 70 nations in the Table of Nations, and the Jubilee year. Each of these instances represents a large, complete group or a significant period of time. The number 70 symbolizes completeness, fullness, and a sense of wholeness, conveying the idea that God is in control and working through history to bring about his plans.
Evangelist Shadrach is a Christian writer and Bible Scholar who is passionate about biblical meanings and interpretations. He is very committed to researching and revealing these interpretations found in the Bible in order to spread the message of healing and redemption through his writings and online presence.