### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
hébdomos (G1442) is a Greek ordinal number, meaning "seventh." It is directly derived from hepta (ἑπτά), the cardinal number "seven" (`{{G2033}}`). Its primary semantic function is to denote a position in a sequence, indicating the item or period that follows the sixth. While its literal meaning is purely numerical, in biblical contexts, hébdomos often carries symbolic weight, participating in the broader theological significance of the number "seven," which frequently represents completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or culmination.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term hébdomos appears in the New Testament in several significant contexts, often marking a point of completion, transition, or divine order.
* **Theological Reference to Creation:**
* In [[Hebrews 4:4]], the author cites [[Genesis 2:2]] concerning God's rest on the "seventh day" from all His works. Here, hébdomos underscores the foundational principle of the Sabbath and divine completion, serving as a theological basis for the discussion of entering into God's rest.
* **Genealogical Designation:**
* [[Jude 1:14]] identifies Enoch as "the seventh from Adam." This numerical designation highlights Enoch's specific position in the antediluvian lineage, emphasizing his early prophetic role within humanity's history.
* **Apocalyptic Progression (Revelation):**
* [[Revelation 8:1]] describes the opening of the "seventh seal." This event initiates a period of silence in heaven, serving as a pivotal transition point that immediately precedes the sounding of the seven trumpets, indicating a new phase of divine judgment.
* [[Revelation 11:15]] recounts the "seventh angel" sounding his trumpet. This is a climactic moment, signaling the definitive establishment of God's kingdom and the reign of Christ, marking the end of the trumpet judgments and ushering in a new era.
* [[Revelation 16:17]] portrays the "seventh angel" pouring out his bowl of wrath. This final bowl plague concludes the series of God's judgments upon the earth, declared with the pronouncement, "It is done!" This signifies the absolute completion of God's wrath.
* [[Revelation 21:20]] lists the "seventh" foundation of the New Jerusalem as chrysolite. This specific detail in the description of the heavenly city emphasizes its divinely ordered, perfect, and precious construction, part of a series of twelve foundations.
In each instance, hébdomos functions beyond mere enumeration; it signifies a specific, divinely appointed position or a crucial turning point within a larger, ordered sequence, often leading to a culmination or a new beginning.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G2033}}` ἑπτά (hepta):** The cardinal number "seven," from which hébdomos is derived. The rich symbolic meaning of "seven" – representing completeness, perfection, divine fullness, covenant, and rest – is inherently linked to hébdomos.
* **Sabbath:** The concept of the "seventh day" as a day of rest, consecrated by God after creation ([[Genesis 2:2]]). This is a direct theological link, especially prominent in [[Hebrews 4:4]], pointing to a spiritual rest in Christ.
* **Completeness/Perfection:** The number seven frequently symbolizes divine completeness or perfection in biblical numerology. Consequently, the "seventh" item in a series often denotes its culmination or finality, as seen with the seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation.
* **Cycles and Periods:** The use of "seventh" often marks the conclusion of a cycle or the initiation of a new one, as in the "seventh day" of the week, or the "seventh year" (sabbatical year) in the Old Testament.
* **Divine Order:** The recurring appearance of "seventh" in significant sequences (creation, genealogies, apocalyptic visions) underscores the precise, intentional, and sovereign nature of God's plans and actions throughout redemptive history.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of hébdomos is profound, deeply embedded in the pervasive biblical symbolism of the number "seven." It points to:
* **Divine Completion and Perfection:** The "seventh day" of creation ([[Hebrews 4:4]]) signifies God's completed work, establishing a pattern of rest and divine order. In Revelation, the "seventh" seal, trumpet, and bowl consistently mark climactic points of divine action, bringing cycles of judgment to their appointed end or inaugurating new phases of God's redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the full establishment of His kingdom.
* **Eschatological Culmination:** Especially in the book of Revelation, hébdomos serves as a critical marker for the unfolding of God's end-time purposes. The "seventh" element in these series consistently signals a definitive turning point, a finality, or the full manifestation of God's power and judgment, leading to the ultimate triumph of Christ and the establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Purpose:** The consistent appearance of "seventh" in crucial sequences (creation, judgment, new creation) underscores God's meticulous and sovereign control over history and His redemptive plan. It signifies that nothing is arbitrary; all unfolds according to His precise, ordered, and perfect design.
* **Rest and Fulfillment:** The "seventh day" as the Sabbath principle points to a profound theological concept of rest – not merely cessation from labor, but an entering into God's completed work. This finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the eschatological rest offered in Christ, as expounded in [[Hebrews 4]].
### Summary
hébdomos (G1442) is the Greek ordinal "seventh," derived from hepta (`{{G2033}}` "seven"). While numerically precise, its biblical usage is laden with theological meaning, reflecting the profound symbolism of the number seven. From the "seventh day" of creation and its implications for Sabbath rest ([[Hebrews 4:4]]), to Enoch being the "seventh from Adam" ([[Jude 1:14]]), and most notably in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation where the "seventh" seal, trumpet, and bowl ([[Revelation 8:1]], [[Revelation 11:15]], [[Revelation 16:17]]) consistently mark climactic points of divine action, judgment, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan. Thus, hébdomos signifies divine completion, perfection, culmination, and the precise, ordered nature of God's work in history and eschatology, pointing ultimately to the finality and triumph of His purposes.
TRV