Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sevenfold" in the Bible often signifies completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. The number seven is frequently associated with God's creation and covenantal promises, and its multiplication into "sevenfold" amplifies these themes.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 4:15 · In the early chapters of Genesis, God places a protective mark on Cain after he kills Abel, declaring, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." This pronouncement underscores the severity of divine justice and the completeness of God's protection over Cain, despite his sin.
2.
Genesis 4:24 · Lamech, a descendant of Cain, refers to this divine protection when he says, "If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold." Lamech's statement reflects an escalation of vengeance and highlights the human tendency to amplify retribution beyond God's original decree.
3.
Psalm 12:6 · The psalmist writes, "The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold." Here, "sevenfold" emphasizes the perfection and purity of God's words, likening them to precious metals refined to their utmost purity.
4.
Proverbs 6:31 · In the context of theft, the proverb states, "Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house." This reflects the principle of restitution and the completeness of justice required for wrongdoing, illustrating the full measure of recompense.
5.
Isaiah 30:26 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time of blessing, saying, "The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, like the light of seven days." This imagery conveys the abundance and perfection of God's future restoration and blessing upon His people.
Theological Significance:The concept of "sevenfold" in Scripture often points to the idea of divine completeness and perfection. It is used to describe God's perfect justice, as seen in the protection and vengeance decreed for Cain, and His perfect word, as described in the Psalms. The use of "sevenfold" in prophetic literature, such as Isaiah, often points to the eschatological hope of God's ultimate restoration and blessing.
In the broader biblical narrative, the number seven is significant in creation, as God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, establishing a pattern of completeness and rest. The multiplication of this number into "sevenfold" serves to intensify the meaning, underscoring the fullness of God's actions and promises.
Practical Application:For believers, the concept of "sevenfold" can serve as a reminder of God's perfect justice and the completeness of His promises. It encourages trust in God's word, which is pure and flawless, and hope in His future restoration, which will be abundant and complete. The principle of restitution seen in Proverbs also calls believers to live justly and to make amends fully when wrongs are committed.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Repeated seven times; having seven thicknesses; increased to seven times the size or amount.
2. (adv.) Seven times as much or as often.
Strong's Hebrew
7659. shibathayim --sevenfold, seven times... 7658, 7659. shibathayim. 7660 .
sevenfold, seven times. Transliteration:
shibathayim Phonetic Spelling: (shib-aw-thah'-yim) Short Definition:
sevenfold.
...7651. sheba -- seven
... thirty-seventh* (3), twenty-seven* (1), twenty-seventh* (6). bysevenfold,
teen. Or (masculine) shibrah {shib-aw'}; from shaba'; a...
7657. shibim -- seventy (a cardinal number)
... 1), 74* (2), 74,600* (2), 75,000* (1), 76,500* (1), 77* (1), 775* (1), 973* (2),
seventy (53), seventy-five (2), seventy-seven (2), seventy-sevenfold (1)....
Library
Man the Image of the Creator, and Christ the Head of the Man...
... Paul's epistles... Chapter VIII."Man the Image of the Creator, and Christ the Head
of the Man Spiritual Gifts. TheSevenfold Spirit Described by Isaiah....
Letter cclx. To Optimus the Bishop.
... explanation. The simpler, and one that may occur to any one off hand, is this:
that Cain ought to suffersevenfold punishment for his sins....
The Sinning Brother.
... 6028] and, "according to the works of our own hands shall it happen unto us," [6029]
and not in infinite wise, but either double orsevenfold shall sinners...
Chapter xi.
... 38. Thesevenfold number of these petitions also seems to me to correspond to that
sevenfold number out of which the whole sermon before us has had its rise....
The First Stage in the Leper's Cleansing
... 'By water and by blood.'. (b) Thesevenfold sprinkling. The cedar, symbol of
incorruptibility; the scarlet, of full vital energy; the hyssop, of purifying....
Psalm CL.
... the number seven, whether in Isaiah or in the Apocalypse, where the seven Spirits
of God are most directly mentioned, on account of thesevenfold operation of...
Whether the Gifts of the Holy Ghost Remain in Heaven?
... ii, 26) that by means of Hissevenfold gift the "Holy Ghost instructs the mind against
all temptations." Now there will be no temptations in heaven, according...
Of the Difference Between Discipline and Power, and of the Power...
... are concerned, such as are chargeable with offence against you personally, you are
commanded, in the person of Peter, to forgive even seventy timessevenfold....
From the First Chapter.
... "And from the seven spirits which are before His throne."] We read of asevenfold
spirit in Isaiah, [2242] "namely, the spirit of wisdom and of understanding...
The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More...
... eyes, which are "the seven spirits of God." Just as the Christ of God will come
back to earth endued with the Spirit of God in thesevenfold plentitude of His...
Thesaurus
Sevenfold (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sevenfold (10 Occurrences).
... Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall
be avenged
sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and
sevenfold.
...Seventy-sevenfold (1 Occurrence)
Seventy-sevenfold. Seventy-seven, Seventy-sevenfold. Seventy-six .
Multi-Version Concordance Seventy-sevenfold (1 Occurrence)....
Required (72 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:15 And Jehovah saith to him, 'Therefore -- of any slayer of Cainsevenfold
it is required;' and Jehovah setteth to Cain a token that none finding him...
Fold (23 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avengedsevenfold, truly Lamech seventy
andsevenfold. (Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Vengeance (63 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:15 Yahweh said to him, "Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be
taken on himsevenfold." Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding...
Kills (38 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever
slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on himsevenfold....
Neighbours (34 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS BBE DBY YLT). Psalms 79:12 And render unto our neighbourssevenfold into
their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord....
Repayeth (16 Occurrences)
... us. (See JPS YLT). Proverbs 6:31 And being found he repayethsevenfold,
All the substance of his house he giveth. (YLT). Proverbs...
Revenged (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Revenged (2 Occurrences). Genesis 4:15 And Jehovah said
to him, Therefore, whoever slayeth Cain, it shall be revengedsevenfold....
Bindeth (25 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and
the light of the sun shall besevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the...
Resources
Who was Lamech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is warfare prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the biblical significance of the number seven/7? | GotQuestions.orgSevenfold: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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