Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the concept of "years" is significant both in terms of chronology and symbolism. The Bible frequently uses years to mark time, denote periods of significance, and convey spiritual truths. Creation and the Beginning of Time The Bible begins with the account of creation, where time is introduced. Genesis 1:14 states, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.'" Here, years are established as a fundamental unit of time, governed by celestial bodies. Lifespan and Genealogies The early chapters of Genesis record the long lifespans of the patriarchs, with years serving as a measure of their lives. For example, Genesis 5:27 notes, "So Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died." These genealogies emphasize the longevity of early humans and the passage of time from Adam to Noah. Covenantal and Prophetic Significance Years often carry covenantal and prophetic significance. In Genesis 15:13, God tells Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years." This prophecy outlines the duration of Israel's future bondage in Egypt, highlighting God's sovereign control over history. The concept of the Jubilee year, found in Leviticus 25:10, is another example: "And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you." The Jubilee year was a time of liberation and restoration, reflecting God's desire for justice and mercy. Sabbatical Years The sabbatical year, or "Shmita," is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. Every seventh year, the land was to rest, as commanded in Exodus 23:10-11: "For six years you are to sow your land and gather its produce, but in the seventh year you must let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat." This practice underscored the importance of rest and reliance on God's provision. Prophetic Timelines Years are also crucial in prophetic timelines. The seventy weeks prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is a notable example, where "weeks" are understood as sets of seven years. This prophecy outlines significant events in Israel's future, culminating in the coming of the Messiah. New Testament References In the New Testament, years continue to play a role in marking significant events. Luke 3:23 records, "Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry." This age is significant, as it aligns with the age of maturity and readiness for priestly service in Jewish tradition. Eschatological Implications The Book of Revelation uses years in its apocalyptic visions. Revelation 20:2-3 speaks of Satan being bound for a thousand years, a period often referred to as the "Millennium." This time frame is interpreted in various ways, but it signifies a future era of peace and Christ's reign. Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons Years in the Bible often symbolize completeness, testing, and fulfillment. The forty years of Israel's wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:33-34) represent a period of testing and preparation before entering the Promised Land. Similarly, the forty days and nights of rain during the Flood (Genesis 7:12) signify judgment and renewal. Throughout Scripture, years serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty over time and history, His faithfulness to His promises, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan for humanity. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SABBATHS, OF YEARSsab'-aths, (shabbethoth shanim; anapauseis eton (Leviticus 25:8)): The seven sabbatic years preceding the Year of Jubilee. SEVENTY YEARS The period assigned by Jeremiah for the duration of the Jewish exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11, 12; Jeremiah 29:10; compare 2 Chronicles 36:21 Ezra 1:1 Daniel 9:2). If the period be reckoned from the date of the first deportation in the 4th year of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24:1 2 Chronicles 36:6 Daniel 1:1 by another reckoning calls it the 3rd year), i.e. 606 B.C., till the decree of Cyrus, 536 B.C., the prediction was fulfilled to a year. YEARS, SEVENTY See SEVENTY YEARS. Greek 1332. dietes -- lasting two years, two years old ... lasting two years, two years old. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dietes Phonetic Spelling: (dee-et-ace') Short Definition: two years old Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1332.htm - 6k 1333. dietia -- a space of two years 5148. trietia -- a period of three years 1541. hekatontaetes -- a hundred years old 5063. tessarakontaetes -- forty years old. 5066a. tesserakontaetes -- of forty years 5066. tetartaios -- of forty years 2250. hemera -- day 2094. etos -- a year 5550. chronos -- time Strong's Hebrew 7620. shabua -- a period of seven (days, years), heptad, week... 7619, 7620. shabua. 7621 . a period of seven (days, years), heptad, week. Transliteration: shabua Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-boo'-ah) Short Definition: weeks ... /hebrew/7620.htm - 6k 8141. shanah -- a year 7992. shelishi -- third (an ordinal number) 8027. shalash -- to do a third time, divide into three parts 7872. sebah -- hoary head, old age 3117. yom -- day 5716. adi -- ornaments 8140. shenah -- a year Library Sixty years with Plymouth Church Forty Years in South China Early Years Of the Thousand Years Last Years. A New Years Message Two Fruitful Years Fourth Five Years. Of the Thousand Years in which the Dragon or Satan is bound, with ... Second Five Years. Thesaurus Years (5873 Occurrences)... SABBATHS, OF YEARS. sab'-aths, (shabbethoth shanim; anapauseis eton (Leviticus 25:8)): The seven sabbatic years preceding the Year of Jubilee. ... SEVENTY YEARS. ... /y/years.htm - 8k Sixteen (24 Occurrences) Seventeen (12 Occurrences) Clans (120 Occurrences) Shem (17 Occurrences) Valuation (22 Occurrences) Crops (48 Occurrences) Cainan (8 Occurrences) Advanced (32 Occurrences) Census (24 Occurrences) Resources What does 2 Peter 3:8 mean when it says a thousand years are a day? | GotQuestions.orgHow can the light of stars billions of light years away from the earth have reached us if the earth is only thousands of years old? | GotQuestions.org How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? | GotQuestions.org Years: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Years (5873 Occurrences)Years is used 5873 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Years in Prophetic Computation, Days Reckoned As Years: (Acceptable) of the Time of the Gospel Years: (Being Full of) of Old Age Years: (Of Recompences) Judgments Years: (Of the Redeemed) Redemption by Christ Years: (Of the Right Hand of the Most High) Prosperity Years: (Of Visitation) Severe Judgments Years: (Well Stricken In) Old Age Years: Commencement of, Changed After the Exodus Years: Early Computation of Time By Years: Length of, During the Patriarchal Age Years: The Sun and Moon Appointed to Mark Out Related Terms Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) Commandments (181 Occurrences) |
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