The number seventy-two holds significance in various contexts within the Bible, often symbolizing completeness or a divinely appointed mission. It appears in both the Old and New Testaments, carrying theological and historical implications.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the number seventy-two is not explicitly mentioned, but it is often associated with the number seventy, which frequently symbolizes completeness or the nations of the world. For instance, Genesis 10, known as the Table of Nations, lists seventy descendants of Noah, representing the entirety of the world's nations. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, is traditionally said to have been translated by seventy-two Jewish scholars, six from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This translation played a crucial role in making the Hebrew Scriptures accessible to the Greek-speaking world.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the number seventy-two is explicitly mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus appoints seventy-two disciples and sends them out in pairs to preach the Kingdom of God and perform miracles. Luke 10:1 states, "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." This mission underscores the universality of the Gospel message and the preparation for Jesus' own ministry in those areas.

The sending of the seventy-two is significant for several reasons. It demonstrates the expansion of Jesus' ministry beyond the twelve apostles, indicating the broader scope of His mission. The number seventy-two may also symbolize the nations of the world, suggesting that the Gospel is intended for all people, not just the Jewish nation. This aligns with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

Symbolic Interpretations

The number seventy-two is often interpreted symbolically within Christian theology. It is seen as a representation of divine authority and mission. The sending of the seventy-two disciples is viewed as a precursor to the global mission of the Church, emphasizing the call to evangelize and spread the teachings of Christ to all corners of the earth.

Additionally, the number seventy-two can be seen as a reflection of God's order and purpose. In Jewish tradition, the number is associated with the divine name of God, which is said to have seventy-two letters. This connection further emphasizes the sacred nature of the mission given to the seventy-two disciples.

Conclusion

The number seventy-two, while not as frequently mentioned as other biblical numbers, carries significant weight in its appearances. It serves as a reminder of the completeness of God's plan and the universal call to spread the Gospel. Through the mission of the seventy-two disciples, believers are encouraged to participate in the ongoing work of evangelism and to recognize the global scope of Christ's message.

For they did not Suffer that Selection of the Seventy-Two to be ...
... And Other Ancient Syriac Documents. [Translated by the Rev. BP Pratten, BA] V. For
they did not suffer that selection of the Seventy-two to be wanting. 71. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v for they did not.htm

Book 12 Footnotes
... the vast multitude who as we shall see presently, were soon ransomed by Philadelphus,
and by him made free, before he sent for the seventy-two interpreters; in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 12 footnotes.htm

Whether a Religious Order Can be Established for Preaching or ...
... Now Christ sent first the twelve apostles to preach, as related in Luke 9, and
afterwards He sent the seventy-two disciples, as stated in Luke 10.. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a religious order can 2.htm

Eldad and Medad
... apostles, and sent forth seventy as missioners"an arrangement in which we see the
New Testament counterpart of the choosing of these seventy-two elders, to ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.
... Eleazar accordingly sent the seventy-two elders with a copy of the laws written
on parchments in letters of gold, who were received by the king with high honors ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xvi ancient versions of.htm

The Resurrection.
... day" may include a period beginning with the first minute of the first day and ending
with the last minute of the third, embracing in all seventy-two hours. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the resurrection.htm

The Twelve and the Seventy.
... When the Twelve were about to enter on their first mission He required them to go
only to the Jews, but He sent forth the Seventy "two and two before His face ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the twelve and.htm

Whether the Evidence of Two or Three Persons Suffices?
... Praesul.): "A bishop shall not be condemned save on the evidence of seventy-two
witnesses; nor a cardinal priest of the Roman Church, unless there be sixty ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the evidence of two.htm

Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and ...
... [3870] Perhaps this may be a fuller English equivalent than appoint.'. [3871] The
reading: Seventy-two' seems a correction, made for obvious reasons. [3872] St. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v further incidents of.htm

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... nations dispersed through the earth after the flood." From which we gather that
the seventy-three (or rather, as I shall presently show, seventy-two) were not ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

Seventy-two (9 Occurrences)
Seventy-two. Seventy-three, Seventy-two. Sever . Multi-Version
Concordance Seventy-two (9 Occurrences). Luke 10:1 And ...
/s/seventy-two.htm - 8k

Disciples (277 Occurrences)
... but this is impossible in the light of Luke's account of the Twelve in chapter 9.
The documents vary as between the numbers seventy and seventy-two, so that it ...
/d/disciples.htm - 39k

372 (2 Occurrences)
... 372 (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred
seventy-two. ... Nehemiah 7:9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. ...
/num/372.htm - 6k

2172 (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. (See NAS
NIV). Nehemiah 7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. ...
/num/2172.htm - 6k

Version
... It derives its name from the popular notion that seventy-two translators were employed
on it by the direction of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and that ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Parosh (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. ... Nehemiah
7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. ...
/p/parosh.htm - 9k

Shephatiah (13 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. ... Nehemiah
7:9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. ...
/s/shephatiah.htm - 12k

Seventy (97 Occurrences)
... but this is impossible in the light of Luke's account of the Twelve in chapter 9.
The documents vary as between the numbers seventy and seventy-two, so that it ...
/s/seventy.htm - 47k

Septuagint
... (n.) A Greek version of the Old Testament; -- so called because it was believed
to be the work of seventy (or rather of seventy-two) translators. Int. ...
/s/septuagint.htm - 38k

Sever (6 Occurrences)

/s/sever.htm - 9k

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