Significance of the Number Seventeen in Scripture
The number seventeen appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, but its significance is not immediately obvious. To understand its meaning, we must examine its occurrences and the interpretations offered by biblical scholars and theologians.
One notable occurrence of seventeen is in the book of Psalms, specifically in Psalm 7:16 and Psalm 72:17 [4, 3]. In Psalm 7:16, the psalmist writes that the trouble caused by the wicked will return to their own head. Psalm 72:17 speaks of the blessing of the righteous king, whose name will endure forever.
Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, provides insight into the symbolic meaning of numbers in Scripture, including seventeen. According to Augustine, when the number ten (representing the law) is added to the number seven (representing the Holy Spirit), the result is seventeen [7]. This addition is significant because it symbolizes the union of the law and the Spirit.
Furthermore, Augustine notes that the number 153, which is the sum of the numbers from 1 to 17, is significant in the context of the miraculous catch of fish in John 21:11 [6]. The 153 fish represent the totality of the righteous who will be saved. This interpretation is based on the idea that the number seventeen, when used to calculate the sum of all numbers from 1 to itself, yields 153.
The number seventeen is also related to the concept of perfection and completion, as seen in the frequent use of the number seven in Scripture [1, 2]. The number seven is associated with rest, perfection, and the sanctification of God's people [5]. By adding three (representing the Trinity or the divine) to fourteen (which is twice seven), or by other combinations, some scholars derive symbolic meanings.
In Jewish tradition, as reflected in the Midrash Rabbah, the number seven is considered sacred and is associated with various aspects of creation and the divine [8]. While seventeen is not directly discussed, the emphasis on seven underscores the significance of numbers in biblical interpretation.
The significance of seventeen, therefore, lies in its connection to the numbers ten and seven, representing the law and the Spirit, respectively. This connection is crucial in understanding the symbolic language used in Scripture, particularly in the context of salvation and the righteous.
The use of numbers in biblical interpretation is complex and multifaceted. Scholars and theologians have offered various interpretations based on the cultural, historical, and theological contexts of the biblical texts. Understanding these interpretations provides a deeper appreciation of the richness and depth of Scripture.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Seven — The frequent recurrence of certain numbers in the sacred literature of the Hebrews is obvious to the most superficial reader, but seven so far surpasses the rest, both in the frequency with which it recurs and in the importance of the objects with which it is associated, that it may fairly be termed the representative symbolic number. The influence of the number seven was not restricted to the Hebrews; it prevailed among the Persians, ancient Indians, Greeks and Romans. The peculiarity of the Hebrew view consists in the special dignity of the seventh, and not ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Seven — This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Gen. 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. "Jacob's seven years' service to Laban; Pharaoh's seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who s”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.72.17 → Isa.7.14 (confidence: 15 votes)”
- Psalms “The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head. -- Psalms 7:16”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: does any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever,” ( Exodus 31:13–17 ). Ezekiel is still more full, but the sum of what he says amounts to this: that the sabbath is a sign by which Israel might know that God is their sanctifier. If our sanctification consists in the mortification of our own will, the analogy between the e”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XX. 30, 31, and XXI. 1-11. (part 9): But the septenary operation of the one Spirit was so called by the Spirit Himself, whose own presence in the writer led to their being spoken of as the seven Spirits. Accordingly, when to the number of ten, representing the law, we add the Holy Spirit as represented by seven, we have seventeen; and when this number is used for the adding together of every several number it contains, from 1 up to itself, the sum amounts to one hundred and fifty-three. For if you add 2 to 1, you have 3 of course; if to these”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM L.[10] (part 10): of whom reply was made to Elias, "I have left me seven thousand men that have not bowed knees before Baal,"[8] far exceed that number of fishes. Therefore the hundred and fifty-three fishes[9] doth not alone express just such a number of saints, but Scripture doth express the whole number of saints and righteous men by so great a number for a particular reason; to wit, in order that in those hundred and fifty-three all may be understood that pertain to the resurrection to eternal life. For the Law hath ten commandments:[10”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah 29:11: All the sevens are forever beloved. Above, the seventh is beloved: Shamayim , shemei shamayim , rakia , sheḥakim , zevul , maon , and aravot , 19 These are the seven levels of heaven. and it is written: Praise Him Who rides in the aravot , with His name, the Lord” (Psalms 68:5). Regarding lands, the seventh is beloved: Eretz , adama , arka , gai , tziya , neshiya , tevel , 20 These are seven types of land. and it is written: “He will judge the universe [ tevel ] in righteousness, the nations with uprightness” (Psalms 9:9). Regarding generations, the sevent”