Seventeens in Scripture (10)

Following on from both the overt and implied seventeens of Hebrews 11, there’s another set of them in Hebrews 12. The format is similar to Paul’s list of the things that cannot separate us from the love of God in its list of seven, a short interlude, then a list of ten.

You have NOT come:

1.   to a mountain that can be touched

2.   to burning fire

3.   to darkness

4.   to gloom

5.   to storm

6.   to a trumpet blast

7.   to a voice speaking  such words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded.

But you have come:

8.   to Mount Zion

9.   to the heavenly Jerusalem

10. to the city of the living God

11.  to thousands upon thousands of angels

12.  to the joyful assembly

13.  to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven

14. to God, the judge of all men

15. to the spirits of righteous men made perfect

16.  to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant

17.  to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

Hebrews 12:18-25

Other uses of 17 in the Epistle to the Hebrews include 17 uses of εἰσέρχεσθαι, to enter, and 68 (4 ×17) uses of θεός, God.


2 Comments

  1. Catherine

    Its so beautiful to read set out like. Thanks Annie

    • I feel that too. You get the feel that each set of 17 is tied to the others – and there’s almost a symphony of lists!

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