The number seventy-seven appears in the Bible in several contexts, each carrying its own significance and symbolism. This number is often associated with themes of completeness, divine order, and forgiveness.

Genesis 4:24
The first mention of seventy-seven in the Bible is found in Genesis 4:24, where Lamech, a descendant of Cain, declares, "If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times." This passage highlights the escalation of vengeance and violence in the line of Cain. Lamech's boastful declaration contrasts with the divine protection given to Cain, emphasizing the increasing corruption and moral decline in humanity after the Fall.

Matthew 18:21-22
In the New Testament, the number seventy-seven is notably mentioned in the context of forgiveness. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus responds, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times." This teaching underscores the boundless nature of Christian forgiveness, urging believers to forgive others as God has forgiven them. The use of seventy-seven here symbolizes completeness and perfection in forgiveness, reflecting the infinite mercy of God.

Symbolism and Interpretation
The number seventy-seven, like other numbers in the Bible, carries symbolic meaning. In biblical numerology, the number seven often represents completeness or perfection, as seen in the seven days of creation. The repetition of seven in seventy-seven amplifies this symbolism, suggesting a heightened sense of completeness or divine order.

In the context of forgiveness, seventy-seven signifies the limitless grace that believers are called to extend to others. It challenges the human tendency towards retribution and encourages a Christ-like attitude of mercy and reconciliation.

Cultural and Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, numbers often held symbolic significance, and the repetition of numbers was a common literary device to emphasize a point. The use of seventy-seven in biblical texts would have resonated with contemporary audiences, conveying messages of divine justice, mercy, and the moral expectations placed upon God's people.

Theological Implications
The references to seventy-seven in Scripture invite reflection on the nature of God's justice and mercy. Lamech's declaration in Genesis serves as a cautionary tale of human pride and the consequences of sin, while Jesus' teaching in Matthew calls believers to embody the radical forgiveness that characterizes the Kingdom of God. These passages together highlight the transformative power of divine grace and the call to live in accordance with God's perfect will.

In summary, the number seventy-seven in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of completeness, divine justice, and the boundless nature of forgiveness, inviting believers to reflect on their own lives and relationships in light of God's perfect example.7657. shibim -- seventy (a cardinal number)
... 72* (1), 72,000* (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 ...
/hebrew/7657.htm - 6k

American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions.
... missions is eight, stations and out-stations, sixty-two; missionaries and assistant
missionaries, fifty-nine; native assistants, seventy-seven; churches, thirty ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american baptist board of foreign.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 21, "How Oft Shall My ...
... He fixed the limit of forgiveness in the number seventy-seven; shall I presume to
overleap this limit? It is not so, I have not presumed to go at all beyond. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxiii on the words.htm

The Sixth Clause.
... you." [8813] And when Peter had put the question whether remission were to be granted
to a brother seven times, "Nay," saith He, "seventy-seven times;" [8814 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter vii the sixth clause.htm

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken ...
... It was demolished entirely by the Babylonians, four hundred and
seventy-seven years and six months after him. And from king David ...
/.../chapter 10 that whereas the.htm

Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
... Christ's genealogy after His Baptism, and beginning from Christ traces the series
of generations back to God, counting in all seventy-seven generations, the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs genealogy is suitably.htm

Faustus Objects to the Incarnation of God on the Ground that the ...
... in the whole sum there appears to be one wanting; while in Luke the number of
generations recorded after the baptism amount to seventy-seven, which number the ...
/.../faustus objects to the incarnation.htm

Of the Reason Why Forty Generations (Not Including Christ Himself) ...
... we find included both Christ Himself, with whom the enumeration begins, and God,
with whom it closes; and the sum becomes thus seventy-seven, which denotes the ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iv of the reason why.htm

Wesley and Impositions
... laded with brandy and Geneva, at the port of London, and sold them there, whereby
he was indebted to his Majesty five hundred and seventy-seven pounds and ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley and impositions.htm

Now Herod and Philip Built Several Cities in Honor of Caesar. ...
... besides six months and two days [of which time Antonius ruled together with him
fourteen years; but the duration of his life was seventy-seven years]; upon ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 now herod and.htm

Concerning the Flood; and after what Manner Noah was Saved in an ...
... Now Lamech, when he had governed seven hundred and seventy-seven years, appointed
Noah, his son, to be ruler of the people, who was born to Lamech when he was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 concerning the flood.htm

Seventy-seven (4 Occurrences)
Seventy-seven. Seventy-four, Seventy-seven. Seventy-sevenfold .
Multi-Version Concordance Seventy-seven (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/seventy-seven.htm - 7k

Lamech (11 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven
times." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis ...
/l/lamech.htm - 12k

Lamech's (2 Occurrences)
... Lamech's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 4:24 If seven lives are to be taken as punishment
for Cain's death, seventy-seven will be taken for Lamech's. (BBE). ...
/l/lamech's.htm - 6k

Seventy (97 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven
times." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/seventy.htm - 47k

96 (1 Occurrence)
... the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of
Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and ...
/num/96.htm - 6k

777 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 777 (1 Occurrence). Genesis 5:31 All the days of Lamech
were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died. (See NIV). ...
/num/777.htm - 6k

77 (1 Occurrence)
... the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of
Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and ...
/num/77.htm - 6k

Ninety-six (2 Occurrences)
... the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of
Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and ...
/n/ninety-six.htm - 7k

Ninety (27 Occurrences)
... the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of
Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and ...
/n/ninety.htm - 15k

Lemech (9 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 5:31 And all the days of Lemech were seven hundred and seventy-seven
years; and he died. (DBY). 1 Chronicles 1:3 Enoch, Methushelah, Lemech, (DBY ...
/l/lemech.htm - 8k

What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seventy sevens in Daniel 9:24-27? | GotQuestions.org

What is the biblical significance of the number seven/7? | GotQuestions.org

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