How many times is forgive mentioned in the Bible? This is a question that many Christians may wonder about, especially when they struggle with forgiving others or themselves. The answer is not straightforward, as different translations and versions of the Bible may use different words or phrases to convey the concept of forgiveness.
According to one source, the word forgiveness appears 15 times, forgive shows up 121 times, and forgiven makes an appearance a total of 55 times in the Bible. Another source gives slightly different numbers: forgive appears 42 times in the Old Testament and 33 times in the New Testament, forgiven appears 17 times in the Old Testament and 28 times in the New Testament, and forgiving appears six times in the Old Testament and one time in the New Testament. However, these numbers do not include other words or expressions that may imply forgiveness, such as pardon, release, cancel, or cover.
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One of the most famous verses on forgiveness is Matthew 18:21-22, where Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him. Jesus replies, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Some translations render this as "seventy times seven", which is 490 times. Either way, the point is not to keep count but to show unlimited mercy and grace, just as God does to us.
Another critical passage on forgiveness is Luke 24:47, where Jesus commissions his disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations. This shows that forgiveness is central to the gospel message and the church's mission. Forgiveness is not only something we receive from God but also something we share with others.
The Greek word for forgiveness in the New Testament has a range of meanings, such as release, leave, or cancel. Forgiveness is a sign of faith and a parable of God's mercy. The Hebrew word for forgiveness in the Old Testament also has various nuances, such as lift, bear, or take away. Forgiveness is a demonstration of God's love and compassion.
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What does the Bible say about 70 times 7?
This phrase often describes the unlimited forgiveness that Jesus taught his followers. It comes from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically Matthew 18:21-22. In this passage, the apostle Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Peter suggests, "up to seven times?" To this, Jesus responds, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times," though some translations render this as "70 times 7." In this context, the number "70 times 7" (or 490) is not meant to be taken literally. It symbolizes boundless forgiveness, indicating that one should continue to forgive without keeping count.
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Jesus illustrated this with a parable of a servant who was forgiven an enormous debt by his master but refused to forgive a small debt owed by another servant. The master was angry and punished the unmerciful servant, saying, "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" (Matthew 18:33). The lesson is that we should forgive others as God has forgiven us because our sins are like an impossibly large debt that we cannot repay. Forgiving 70 times 7 is a way of showing God's grace and love to others, and following his perfect example.
In conclusion, forgiveness is a vital and frequent theme in the Bible. It reflects God's character and his plan for salvation. It also affects our relationships with God and others. How many times is forgive mentioned in the Bible? More than we can count, but less than we need.
Watch more video: 10 Bible Verses About Forgiveness