Seventy-three
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The number seventy-three does not frequently appear in the biblical text, but it holds significance in various contexts within the broader scriptural narrative. Numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings or are used to convey specific messages, and while seventy-three is not as prominent as numbers like seven, twelve, or forty, it can still be explored for its potential implications and occurrences.

Biblical Occurrences and Symbolism

1. Psalm 73: One of the most notable references to the number seventy-three is Psalm 73, attributed to Asaph. This psalm addresses the perplexing issue of the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. Asaph begins by expressing his struggle with understanding why the wicked seem to thrive while the faithful endure hardship. However, upon entering the sanctuary of God, he gains a divine perspective, realizing the ultimate fate of the wicked and the eternal security of those who are faithful to God. This psalm is a profound reflection on the justice and sovereignty of God, encouraging believers to trust in His ultimate plan.

"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped." (Psalm 73:1-2)

2. Symbolic Interpretation: In biblical numerology, the number seventy often signifies completeness or perfection, as seen in the seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1) or the seventy weeks in Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24). The number three often represents divine completeness or the Trinity. Therefore, the combination of seventy and three could be interpreted as a symbol of divine completeness or a period of fulfillment under God's providence.

3. Genealogical and Historical Contexts: While the number seventy-three does not directly appear in genealogical lists or historical accounts, numbers in genealogies often carry symbolic weight. For instance, the genealogies in the Bible are sometimes structured to convey theological truths rather than strict historical data. The number seventy-three could hypothetically be seen as a combination of divine completeness (seventy) with a specific divine purpose or event (three).

4. Theological Reflection: From a theological perspective, the number seventy-three can be seen as a reminder of God's perfect plan and timing. Just as Asaph in Psalm 73 comes to understand the divine justice and ultimate destiny of the wicked and the righteous, believers are encouraged to trust in God's overarching plan, even when immediate circumstances seem unjust or confusing.

In summary, while the number seventy-three is not a focal point in the biblical narrative, its presence in Psalm 73 and its potential symbolic meanings invite believers to reflect on the themes of divine justice, the prosperity of the wicked, and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness.
Greek
1440. hebdomekonta -- seventy
... seventy, three score and ten. From hebdomos and a modified form of deka; seventy --
seventy, three score and ten. see GREEK hebdomos. see GREEK deka. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1440.htm - 7k
Library

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... The total number of the progeny of the three sons of Noah is seventy-three,
fifteen by Japheth, thirty-one by Ham, twenty-seven by Shem. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

Troubles in Paris
... With his usual prompt energy, the old man of seventy-three mounted his horse and,
accompanied only by his secretary, du Courneau, set out for St. Germain. ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 10 troubles in paris.htm

Wesley Criticizes the Scotch Universities
... but Sundays. Friday, June 28."I am seventy-three years old and far abler
to preach than I was at three-and-twenty. What natural ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley criticizes the scotch universities.htm

Second Missionary Journey
... on their way along the Egnatian road through the two beautiful Greek cities of
Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica, distant about seventy-three miles from ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study iv second missionary journey.htm

Last Days and After.
... but her power of speech having gone, she raised her hands to heaven as an evidence
of her faith and joy, and passed home at the age of seventy-three years. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vii last days and after.htm

The History of the Psalter
... needs interpretation. In the Hebrew version, this title is borne by
seventy-three psalms. Two are ascribed to Solomon (lxxii. and ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/xii the history of the.htm

The Kingdom Undivided
... Examples 42 to 49. Asaph (who was he?) wrote twelve. Examples 73 to 83. David
wrote seventy-three. VI. Names of Leading Psalms. NOTE ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iv the kingdom undivided.htm

The Poetical Books.
... Seventy-three psalms of the book seem to be ascribed to David in their
titles. "A Psalm of David," "Maschil of David," "Michtam ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... From the flood to the conflagration of Ida, and the discovery of iron, and the Id??an
Dactyls, are seventy-three years, according to Thrasyllus; and from the ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Introduction.
... There are seventy-three in all, and they run thus:"In the first book there
are thirty-seven; so that if we regard Psalm 1.and ii. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/i introduction.htm

Thesaurus
Seventy-three (4 Occurrences)
Seventy-three. Seventy-six, Seventy-three. Seventy-two . Multi-Version
Concordance Seventy-three (4 Occurrences). Numbers ...
/s/seventy-three.htm - 7k

Jedaiah (13 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred
seventy-three. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/j/jedaiah.htm - 11k

Jeshua (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ezra 2:36 The priests: the children
of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three. ...
/j/jeshua.htm - 21k

Nine (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). Ezra 2:36 The priests: the children of
Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three. ...
/n/nine.htm - 22k

Seventy (97 Occurrences)
... males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who
were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three. ...
/s/seventy.htm - 47k

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who
were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three. ...
/f/firstborn.htm - 46k

22273 (1 Occurrence)
... males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who
were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three. ...
/num/22273.htm - 6k

273 (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 3:46 For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn
of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites, (See NAS NIV ...
/num/273.htm - 6k

Twenty-two (26 Occurrences)
... males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who
were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three. ...
/t/twenty-two.htm - 14k

Ransomed (27 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:46 And for those that are to be ransomed, the two hundred and
seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are in excess over ...
/r/ransomed.htm - 15k

Resources
What are the seventy weeks of Daniel? | GotQuestions.org

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

What is the Table of Nations? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Seventy-three (4 Occurrences)

Numbers 3:43
All the firstborn males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.
(WEB BBE DBY RSV)

Numbers 3:46
For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites,
(WEB BBE DBY RSV)

Ezra 2:36
The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
(WEB BBE DBY RSV)

Nehemiah 7:39
The priests: The children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
(WEB BBE DBY RSV)

Subtopics

Seventy-three

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Seventy-six
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