שִׁבְעִים

The Hebrew word שִׁבְעִים (shivʿim), meaning "seventy," is a cardinal number that frequently appears in the Old Testament. While often denoting a literal quantity of 70, it sometimes carries symbolic weight, representing completeness or a significant, often divinely appointed, duration or group. This numerical value is found in various biblical narratives and legal texts, reflecting its function in ancient Israelite society for counting people, objects, or periods of time. Its usage varies from simple enumeration to conveying a sense of divine arrangement or judgment.

In some contexts, "seventy" marks a generation, a period of waiting, or a comprehensive group. For instance, the seventy nations listed in Genesis 10 are traditionally understood to represent the totality of humanity. The seventy elders appointed by Moses to assist him in governing Israel (Exodus 24:1, 9; Numbers 11:16, 24-25) also exemplify a representative, complete body. The repeated appearance of this number suggests its importance beyond mere calculation, hinting at its role in structuring biblical narratives and theological concepts. It is also often associated with times of exile or affliction, particularly the seventy years of Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah.

While the primary use of shivʿim is numerical, its recurrent appearance in significant theological and historical contexts enriches its meaning. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, derives its name from the legendary seventy (or seventy-two) translators. This further underscores the pervasive symbolic resonance of the number in Jewish tradition. Thus, "seventy" can signify a specific count, a period of divine determination, or a representative whole.