The term "70 men" appears in various contexts within the Bible, often symbolizing completeness, leadership, or judgment. This entry explores the different instances and significance of the number 70 in biblical narratives.

1. The Seventy Elders of Israel

In the Old Testament, the number 70 is notably associated with the elders of Israel. In Exodus 24:1, God instructs Moses: "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance." These elders were chosen to represent the people and to witness the covenant between God and Israel. Their presence signifies the establishment of a leadership structure that would guide the Israelites.

Later, in Numbers 11:16-17, God commands Moses to gather seventy men from the elders of Israel to assist him in leading the people: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Bring Me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.'" This event underscores the importance of shared leadership and the distribution of spiritual authority.

2. The Seventy Descendants of Jacob

The number 70 also appears in the context of Jacob's family. Genesis 46:27 states, "And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All those of the house of Jacob who came to Egypt were seventy in number." This enumeration of Jacob's descendants who went to Egypt with him highlights the growth of the Israelite family and sets the stage for their eventual enslavement and exodus.

3. The Seventy Nations

In the Table of Nations found in Genesis 10, the descendants of Noah are listed, traditionally understood to number seventy. This list is often interpreted as representing the entirety of the known world at the time, symbolizing the spread of humanity across the earth after the flood.

4. The Seventy Disciples of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus appoints seventy (or seventy-two, depending on the manuscript) disciples to go ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit. Luke 10:1-2 records, "After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit. He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.'" This mission underscores the expansion of Jesus' ministry and the preparation for the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

5. The Seventy Men of Beth-shemesh

In 1 Samuel 6:19, the number 70 is associated with judgment: "But God struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter." This incident serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the reverence required in handling sacred objects.

6. Symbolic Use of Seventy

The number 70 often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical literature. It is used to denote a full measure of time or people, as seen in the seventy years of Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12) and the seventy weeks of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27).

In summary, the number 70 in the Bible is rich with symbolic meaning and historical significance, appearing in contexts of leadership, judgment, and divine mission.