70 – SEVENTY
(COMPLETION, FULLNESS, DIVINE ORDER, UNIVERSALITY)
The number seventy (or seventy-two) holds significant symbolism in the Bible, often representing completeness, fullness, and the universality of God’s plans. Here are some key references and reflections on the biblical significance of the number 70:
BIBLICAL REFERENCES AND REFLECTIONS
1. Seventy Weeks Prophecy – Daniel 9:24
– Reference: “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”
– Reflection: This prophecy signifies the completion of God’s redemptive plan. It reassures us of God’s sovereignty and His perfect timing in bringing about the end of sin and the establishment of everlasting righteousness. For Christians, it is a reminder of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises through Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins and opened the way to eternal life.
2. Sending out the Seventy – Luke 10:1
– Reference: “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”
– Reflection: The sending of the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples underscores the universality of the Gospel mission. It illustrates Jesus’ strategy of spreading His message far and wide, reaching all nations and peoples. This passage challenges Christians to be active participants in evangelization, carrying the Good News to every corner of the world and preparing the way for Christ’s presence in people’s lives.
3. Israelites in Egypt – Exodus 1:5
– Reference: “The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.”
– Reflection: The seventy members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt signify the foundational structure of the Israelite nation. This number represents the seed of a great nation that would eventually fulfill God’s promises to Abraham. It highlights how God’s plans are realized through the growth and expansion of His chosen people, even in foreign lands.
4. Elders of Israel – Numbers 11:16-17
– Reference: “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.'”
– Reflection: The appointment of seventy elders to assist Moses in governing the people signifies the importance of shared leadership and wise governance in fulfilling God’s purposes. It represents the completeness of God’s provision for His people’s needs and the delegation of authority within the community. For Christians, it encourages the development of spiritual leadership and collaboration in the Church.
5. Noah’s Descendants and the Nations – Genesis 10
– Reference: “These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their origins and by their nations. From these the nations of the earth branched out after the flood.” (Gen 10:32)
– Reflection: The seventy (or seventy-two) nations that emerged from Noah’s descendants symbolize the entirety of humanity spread across the earth. This illustrates the universality of God’s creation and His concern for all peoples. When Jesus appointed seventy (or seventy-two) disciples, it represented the future spread of the gospel to all nations on earth.
6. Moses and the Seventy Elders – Exodus 24:1-2, Numbers 11:24-26
– Reference: “Moses himself was told: Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, with Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You shall bow down at a distance. Moses alone is to come close to the LORD; the others shall not come close, and the people shall not come up with them” (Ex 24:1-2). “So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. Gathering seventy elders of the people, he had them stand around the tent. The LORD then came down in the cloud and spoke to him. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, he bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied but did not continue. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, had remained in the camp, yet the spirit came to rest on them also. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; and so they prophesied in the camp” (Num 11:24-26).
– Reflection: These passages emphasize the continuity of leadership and the sharing of divine wisdom among God’s people. The seventy elders received the same spirit as Moses, showing the importance of collective leadership and divine empowerment. Jesus’ selection of seventy (or seventy-two) disciples echoes this tradition, signifying the continuation and fulfillment of God’s work through the Church.
7. Sanhedrin and the Septuagint
– Reflection: The Sanhedrin, Israel’s ruling body during the Second Temple era, comprised 70 members plus the president, sometimes adding another to make 72. This number was based on the elders appointed by Moses. Similarly, the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (Septuagint) was carried out by 72 translators, six from each tribe, underscoring the completeness and divine sanction of their work.
SEVENTY OR SEVENTY TWO?
The discrepancy between the numbers 70 and 72 in the accounts of Jesus sending out His disciples arises from variations in ancient manuscripts and translations of the Bible. Here are some key points to understand this difference:
1. Manuscript Variations: Some of the earliest Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of Luke use the number 70, while others use 72. These differences likely emerged from early scribes copying and transmitting the texts. Such variations are common in ancient manuscripts due to the meticulous yet human process of copying texts by hand.
2. Septuagint Influence: The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) has influenced some of these variations. The Septuagint includes the account of 72 nations descended from Noah, and this number sometimes appears in biblical texts and interpretations.
3. Latin Vulgate: St. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate, an early translation of the Bible into Latin, also shows variations, reflecting the use of both numbers in different manuscript traditions.
Symbolic Significance of 70 and 72
1. Number 70:
– Biblical Symbolism: Seventy is often used symbolically in the Bible to denote completeness, fullness, and universality. Examples include the 70 elders appointed by Moses (Num 11:16-17), the 70 nations descended from Noah (Gen 10), and the 70 members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt (Ex 1:5).
– Jewish Tradition: In Jewish tradition, 70 is considered a number representing the nations of the world, derived from the Table of Nations in Genesis 10.
2. Number 72:
– Septuagint Tradition: The number 72 aligns with the tradition that 72 translators worked on the Septuagint, translating the Hebrew Bible into Greek.
– Comprehensive Scope: The use of 72 may emphasize an even more comprehensive scope, symbolizing a more precise representation of universality and the inclusive nature of Jesus’ mission.
Conclusion: The discrepancy between 70 and 72 in the accounts of Jesus sending out His disciples is rooted in manuscript variations and symbolic traditions. Both numbers carry rich symbolic meanings that highlight the completeness and universality of the Gospel mission. The key message for Christians is the importance of participating in the spreading of God’s word to all nations, reflecting the inclusive and expansive nature of Christ’s mission.
REFLECTION
The recurring use of 70 in Scripture reminds us of God’s perfect timing and the completeness of His plans. It encourages us to trust in His sovereignty, even during periods of judgment or waiting. The number 70 also challenges us to embrace our role in God’s mission to reach all peoples with the good news of salvation.
As we reflect on these passages, we can find assurance that God is working out His purposes in the world and in our lives with divine precision and completeness. May we align ourselves with His perfect will and timing, participating fully in His redemptive work.