from ἕβδομος and a modified form of δέκα; seventy:--seventy, three score and ten.
Transliteration:hebdomḗkonta
Pronunciation:heb-dom-ay'-kon-tah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word `{{G1440}}` (ἑβδομήκοντα, *hebdomḗkonta*) is a cardinal number meaning "seventy." Its etymology reveals its composition from `{{G1442}}` (ἕβδομος, *hebdomos*), meaning "seventh," and a modified form of `{{G1176}}` (δέκα, *deka*), meaning "ten." Thus, it literally signifies "seven tens," or 7 x 10. While primarily a numerical descriptor, in biblical contexts, numbers often transcend mere quantity to convey symbolic or theological significance, a principle especially true for numbers like seven and ten, and their multiples.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G1440}}` appears in several key New Testament passages, each contributing to its contextual understanding:
* **Luke 10:1, 17**: Most prominently, `{{G1440}}` is used in the Gospel of Luke to describe the "seventy" (or "seventy-two" in some ancient manuscripts) disciples whom Jesus appointed and sent out ahead of Him. In [[Luke 10:1]], "After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go." Their mission included proclaiming the kingdom of God and healing the sick, a task they completed with joy, as recounted in [[Luke 10:17]]: "The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!'" This event is often seen as a significant expansion of the missionary mandate beyond the twelve apostles, foreshadowing a broader, potentially Gentile-inclusive, outreach.
* **Matthew 18:22**: In the context of Peter's question about forgiveness, Jesus famously replies, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven" ([[Matthew 18:22]]). Here, `{{G1440}}` is part of a hyperbolic expression (ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά) designed to convey an unlimited, boundless commitment to forgiveness, contrasting sharply with the finite vengeance of Lamech in the Old Testament ([[Genesis 4:24]]).
* **Acts 7:14**: During Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin, he recounts the history of Israel, stating that Joseph sent for his father Jacob and "all his relatives, seventy-five people" ([[Acts 7:14]]). While some manuscripts (and the Masoretic Text for [[Genesis 46:27]]) read "seventy," the Septuagint (LXX) and many New Testament manuscripts preserve "seventy-five" in this context. The number "seventy" itself, however, aligns with the traditional Hebrew count of Jacob's household entering Egypt ([[Genesis 46:27]], [[Exodus 1:5]]). Here, `{{G1440}}` functions as a historical numerical detail.
### Related Words & Concepts
The significance of `{{G1440}}` is amplified by its connection to several related numerical concepts and their biblical associations:
* **`{{G1442}}` (ἕβδομος, *hebdomos*)**: "Seventh." The number seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, divine order, and sacredness throughout Scripture (e.g., seven days of creation, seven-branched menorah, seven spirits of God).
* **`{{G1176}}` (δέκα, *deka*)**: "Ten." The number ten often represents human responsibility, divine order, and completeness (e.g., Ten Commandments, ten plagues).
* **Biblical Numerology**: The product of 7 and 10, the number seventy, often carries a composite symbolic weight of divine completeness and order in a given measure or period. This is seen in several Old Testament contexts:
* The "seventy nations" listed in the Table of Nations ([[Genesis 10]]), representing the totality of humanity.
* The "seventy elders" of Israel who ascended Mount Sinai with Moses ([[Exodus 24:1]], [[Exodus 24:9]]) and later received the Spirit ([[Numbers 11:16]], [[Numbers 11:24-25]]).
* The "seventy years" of Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 25:11-12]], [[Jeremiah 29:10]]) and reflected upon by Daniel ([[Daniel 9:2]]).
* Daniel's prophecy of "seventy weeks of years" ([[Daniel 9:24]]), signifying a divinely appointed period leading to the Messiah.
* The traditional number of translators of the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, often cited as seventy or seventy-two.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of `{{G1440}}` in the New Testament carry profound theological implications, often drawing upon its Old Testament antecedents:
* **Universal Mission**: The sending of the seventy in [[Luke 10]] is a pivotal moment in redemptive history. Many scholars interpret the "seventy" as a symbolic representation of the seventy nations of the world from [[Genesis 10]]. This suggests that Jesus' mission was not confined to Israel but was always intended to encompass all peoples, signifying the universal scope of the Gospel and the church's global evangelistic mandate. It expands the reach of the kingdom message beyond the initial focus on Israel, prefiguring the Great Commission.
* **Boundless Forgiveness**: In [[Matthew 18:22]], "seventy times seven" transcends a literal numerical calculation. It is a powerful theological statement about the infinite nature of divine forgiveness and the radical, unlimited forgiveness required of believers within the community of faith. It underscores that Christian forgiveness is not a matter of keeping score but of embodying God's boundless grace.
* **Divine Completeness and Order**: In its various contexts, the number seventy, as a product of seven and ten, often signifies a complete or divinely appointed measure, whether of a historical period (exile), a representative body (elders), or a missionary outreach. It speaks to God's sovereign plan unfolding in specific, divinely ordained measures, ensuring the accomplishment of His purposes.
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G1440}}` (ἑβδομήκοντα), meaning "seventy," is more than a simple numerical value in the New Testament. Rooted in the significant numbers seven and ten, it carries a rich semantic and theological weight. Its most prominent use in [[Luke 10:1]] and [[Luke 10:17]] points to the expansive, universal nature of Christ's kingdom mission, encompassing all peoples. In [[Matthew 18:22]], it underscores the boundless and radical call to forgiveness within the Christian life. Furthermore, its echoes in Old Testament numerical symbolism, particularly concerning the seventy nations and elders, reinforce its association with divine completeness, order, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history. Thus, `{{G1440}}` serves as a numerical marker imbued with profound theological resonance, highlighting God's comprehensive and gracious purposes.
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