The number 7 has great significance in the Bible, and the 7th day in particular carries important symbolic meaning. The 7th day of the week, known as the Sabbath, was set aside as a day of rest and worship. Understanding the meaning behind the 7th day provides insight into God’s design for living.
What does the number 7 represent in the Bible?
Throughout scripture, the number 7 represents completeness, spiritual perfection, and God’s work. Some examples include:
- God created the heavens and earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th, making 7 the number for completion of creation (Genesis 1-2:3)
- The 7 days in a week correspond to the 7 days of creation
- Jewish tradition holds that there are 7 heavens
- The book of Revelation contains 7 letters to 7 churches
- 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls represent God’s judgment
- 7 is connected to the work of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3)
The pattern of 7 shows up over 600 times in the Bible, underscoring its symbolic importance. When something is repeated 7 times, it points to completeness, spiritual perfection, and the work of God.
Why is the 7th day holy?
In the creation account, God blessed the 7th day and made it holy: “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:2-3).
By resting on the 7th day, God instituted the pattern of the 7-day week and established the Sabbath. The Hebrew word for Sabbath means “to cease, stop, rest.” God commanded his people to observe the Sabbath as well. After 6 days of work, they were to rest on the 7th as he did.
Old Testament meaning of the Sabbath
In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to keep the Sabbath day holy (Exodus 20:8-11). On this day, they were to cease from labor and not do any work. It was a sign between God and the Israelites forever (Exodus 31:13-17). God intended the Sabbath to be a blessing for His people, not a burden (Mark 2:27).
The Sabbath served several purposes:
- It commemorated God’s rest after His work of creation (Genesis 2:2-3)
- It reminded the Israelites that God redeemed them from slavery (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)
- It provided needed rest from labor (Exodus 23:12)
- It gave time for worship and reflection on God (Leviticus 23:3)
Keeping the Sabbath set Israel apart from other nations as God’s covenant people who followed His principles (Nehemiah 13:15-22). The Sabbath was a sacred gift from God, not an oppressive rule.
Jesus and the Sabbath
In the New Testament, Jesus addressed questions about proper observance of the Sabbath. He emphasized that the Sabbath was made for man’s benefit, not the other way around (Mark 2:27). It was lawful to do good and show mercy on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-13). Jesus claimed authority over even the Sabbath day as Lord (Matthew 12:8).
While the Pharisees had developed strict and oppressive man-made rules for keeping the Sabbath, Jesus stressed the original purpose of blessing, rest, and honoring God (Luke 13:10-17). He regularly healed people and taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16, 31-32, 6:6-11).
As the Messiah, Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath by providing spiritual rest (Hebrews 4:1-11). He gives rest from the burden of works and law-keeping for salvation.
The Lord’s Day
For Christians, the Sabbath rest has moved from the 7th day on Saturday to the 1st day of the week, Sunday, also known as the Lord’s Day. Here are several reasons for this change:
- Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1)
- The early church began meeting on Sundays, the day Jesus rose (Acts 20:7)
- In the book of Revelation, John calls it the “Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10)
- The apostles instructed believers to set aside money for the church on the first day (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
In commemoration of Christ’s resurrection, the focus shifted from the 7th day to the 1st day of the week. Believers celebrate and worship Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath on Sunday.
Principles for the Lord’s Day
While Saturday Sabbath-keeping is not commanded for Christians, honoring the Lord’s Day continues to be important. Setting aside the first day to worship and rest remains a biblical principle.
Here are some ways to keep the Lord’s Day:
- Attend church services (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Set aside time for prayer and Bible study
- Rest from work and regular activities
- Plan ways to spend meaningful time with God and others
- Reflect on Christ’s death and resurrection
Although keeping the Lord’s Day is not required for salvation, doing so is a blessing and important for spiritual growth and renewal.
Conclusion
Throughout Scripture, the 7th day carries special meaning as a holy day ordained by God. He blessed the 7th day at creation and commanded the Israelites to keep it as a sign of His covenant. The Sabbath was made for rest, worship, and doing good.
Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath, emphasizing its purpose for blessing people. Christians honor the Lord’s Day, Sunday, as the new Sabbath commemorating Christ’s resurrection. Setting aside the 1st day for worship, community, and rest continues to be a biblical principle that honors God and blesses our lives.