Is it 70 times, 7 or 77 times?

Asked by: Virginia Hansen  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (62 votes)

Peter thought “Up to seven times” was generous. “Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. '” If Peter initially thought he was about to get a special commendation for his largesse, he quickly realized his answer had fallen impossibly short.

Is it 77 times or 70 times seven?

Based on this evidence, translators of the Bible are advised to translate the expression as “seventy times seven.” Commentators are advised to explain that although the phrase equates to four hundred and ninety, it symbolically signifies the completion of forgiveness for all sins that could be committed against someone ...

Why did Jesus say 70 times 7?

Jesus speaks of forgiveness beyond what anyone had ever considered before: seventy times seven! Many commentaries understand this to mean that Jesus was telling Peter that he should forgive his brother a limitless number of times.

What is 70 times 7 in Greek?

The Greek phrase hebdomēkontakis hepta can be translated “seventy times seven” (KJV and NASB) or “seventy-seven times” (ESV, NIV, NRSV). Both translations are possible and both are accurate.

What does 70x7 mean in the Bible?

The name 70x7 is synonymous with God's eternal forgiveness. Matthew 18:21-22 in the new King James version of the Bible reads: Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?

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

45 related questions found

What is the significance of 77 in the Bible?

For Jesus to say “77,” then, would be to exaggerate this standard of perfection – a metaphorical way of saying “forgive until you reach perfect perfection.” In essence, Jesus was saying “forgive to infinity.” Jesus' reference to 77 also brings to mind the words of Lamech in Genesis 4:23-24 – a ruthless man who lived ...

Does God only forgive you 77 times?

Peter asks if forgiving seven times is appropriate, and Jesus responds “not seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). On one level, this number is wordplay—Jesus is taking the number that Peter gave and one-upping it, changing Peter's expectations.

What does the number 70 mean spiritually?

Seventy has a sacred meaning in the Bible that is made up of the factors of two perfect numbers, seven (representing perfection) and ten (representing completeness and God's law). As such, it symbolizes perfect spiritual order carried out with all power. It can also represent a period of judgment.

Where in the Bible does it say 7 * 70?

Matthew 18:21-35 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

What is 7 in Roman times?

7 in Roman Numerals is VII. Roman numerals is an additive and subtractive system where letters are used to show certain numbers in the number system. A different combination of symbols are used to indicate the roman numerals that include the English alphabet. Therefore, the 7 can be written as VII in roman numerals.

What does 70x7 tattoo mean?

📖 Matthew 18:21-22 - 70x7 is synonymous with God's eternal forgiveness.

Why is 7 such an important number in the Bible?

What is the Meaning of the Number 7 in the Bible? The number 7 is quite significant in the Bible, appearing over 700 times throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In biblical numerology, 7 symbolizes completion or perfection. It is said that God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th.

What is seventy sevenfold in the Bible?

NLT If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!' KJV If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Why did Jesus say 77 times?

The phrase “seventy times seven,” which we first encounter in Genesis 4:24, is a certain number used to signal an uncertain, nearly indescribable amount. According to R.C. Sproul, when Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive, Jesus essentially told him, “As many times as it takes” (51).

How long did Kane live?

Cain died at the age of 730, leaving his corrupt descendants to spread evil on Earth. According to the Book of Jubilees, Cain murdered his brother with a stone. Afterward, Cain was killed by the same instrument he used against his brother: his house fell in upon him, and its stones killed him.

What does the righteous man falls seven times mean?

This means that the person who abides in Christ cannot abide in sin. He may fall into sin seven times . . . but each time gets up again.

What did Jesus tell the 70 to do?

Narrator: A short time after Jesus' transfiguration, he appointed seventy-two people to go out two-by-two and preach the Good News to each town before he visited it. He said to the large group, Jesus: The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Where in the Bible does it say 70 times 7 KJV?

Matthew 18:21-22 KJV. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

What is the seventy times seven in Daniel?

Daniel 9:24 sets forth six works of redemption which will occur within the seventy sevens: “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and ...

What does the Bible say about 7 times 70?

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.

Is 77 an angel number?

Angel number 77 carries deep symbolism, embodying wisdom, self-expression, and personal freedom. When this angelic number makes its presence known in your life, it signifies an invitation from the celestial realm to manifest positive changes.

What number is important to God?

In Genesis 1, the word or number "seven" has two key symbolic meanings: seven represents a full and complete world, and getting to seven is a linear journey from one to seven.

What is the significance of the number 70 in the Bible?

In the Bible, the number seventy appears at least sixty times and is considered to be a sacred number. It is made up of the sum of two perfect numbers: seven, which represents perfection, and ten, representing God's law. As a result, some theologians say the number represents the universe.

What is the most important commandment?

Gospel of Matthew

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.