NUMBER SEVENTEEN (17-2)

1. Introduction

a) In the Bible the number 17 signifies "vanquishing the enemy" and "complete victory in Christ." During the days of Noah, God vanquished rebellious mankind by the flood which He began on the 17th day of 2nd month. The ark came to rest on the 17th day of the 7th month. Jesus was victorious over death when God raised Him from the dead on the 17th day of the first month. It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 17 can be found in the Bible.

2. How does the number 17 reveal the difference between Old and New Covenants?

a) Hebrews 12:18-24 is where the Old Dispensation (under the Old Covenant) and the New (under the New Covenant) are contrasted. Verse 18 begins with "For you have not come . . . " (NKJV version) then answers in the rest of the verse and verse 19:

1. to the mountain that may be touched
2. and that burned with fire,
3. and to blackness
4. and darkness
5. and tempest,
6. and the sound of a trumpet,
7. and the voice of words . . .

b) The apostle Paul begins verse 22 with "But you have come to . . ." and then answers:

8. Mount Zion,
9. and to the city of the living God,.
10. the heavenly Jerusalem,
11. to an innumerable company of angels,
12. to the general assembly
13. and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,
14. to God the Judge of all,
15. to the spirits of just men made perfect,
16. to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,
17. and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel."

c) Here again the blessings of the New Covenant are seen to be higher than those of the Old, both in number and in importance. The Old were spiritual (7), but the latter are more so, for they are doubly the manifestation of Divine grace, ten, or 2 x 5.