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How many times is forgiveness mentioned in the Old Testament?

Author

Joseph Russell

Updated on May 03, 2026

In fact, the Greek word appears 146 times in the New Testament, but it is translated in most English versions as “forgive” only 38 of those times. Considering the entire range of meanings of this word gives us some indication of what “forgiveness” might have meant to listeners in Jesus' first-century context.

Hereof, is forgiveness mentioned in the Old Testament?

The Old Testament has very little to offer on interpersonal forgiveness. While he does instruct his disciples to forgive “70 times seven times” in the Gospel of Matthew (18:21-22), in Luke he qualifies this teaching, saying, “If there is repentance, you must forgive” (17:3).

Beside above, what does 70x7 mean in the Bible? The 70x7 expression is symbolic for infinity; Christians are called to forgive an infinite number of time because that is the number of time they are forgiven by God ; when a Christian fails to forgive, it becomes inconsistent with the infinite forgiveness of God.

One may also ask, how many times does the word repent appear in the Old Testament?

In repenting, one makes a complete change of direction (180° turn) toward God. The words "repent," "repentance," and "repented" are mentioned over 100 times in the Bible.

How many times is the word faith mentioned in the Old Testament?

The word "faith" appears 336 times in the King James Version. Other bible versions have varying counts: Faith appears 458 times in the New International Version, 389 in the New King James Version, 378 in the New American Standard Bible and 521 in the Good News Bible (GNB).

Related Question Answers

Does God always forgive?

But God's promise to forgive us is clear, and he does not lie. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

How many times did Jesus say we should forgive?

Jesus teaches unconditional forgiveness.

In Matthew, Jesus says that church members should forgive each other “seventy times seven times” (18:22), a number that symbolizes boundlessness. However, even though he preaches boundless forgiveness, he does not indicate whether that forgiveness has conditions.

What is forgiveness in simple words?

Forgiveness is the choice that a person makes to forgive another person for an offense or something that is illegal or immoral. Forgiveness is intentional and voluntary. When someone forgives someone else, they let go of negative emotions, for example vengefulness. They wish their offender well.

What is the unforgivable sin according to the Bible?

In the Christian Scriptures, there are three verses that take up the subject of unforgivable sin. In the Book of Matthew (12: 31-32), we read, "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Does forgiveness mean forgetting?

What do forgiveness and forgetting really mean? According to the Oxford Dictionary, the number one definition for forgiveness is to “stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake." And to forget is to: “fail to remember."

How many times will God forgive?

Peter asked Jesus how many times should he forgive his brother. Peter thought maybe seven times might be a fair limit. But Jesus said "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22).

What Jesus says about forgiveness?

Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ' " “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

What does the Bible say about forgiving others who hurt you?

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

What are the three worst sins?

According to the standard list, they are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth, which are contrary to the seven heavenly virtues. These sins are often thought to be abuses or excesses of natural faculties or passions (for example, gluttony abuses the natural hunger for nourishment).

How do you fully repent?

Tips
  1. Forgive yourself.
  2. Remember there is no limit on forgiveness.
  3. Change your environment.
  4. Know one thing that because of our sins Jesus was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did.
  5. Realize you are the only one who can change yourself (put on the armor of God).
  6. Believe things will change.

What are the signs of true repentance?

What Are Practical Signs of Repentance?
  • Repentant people are willing to confess all their sins, not just the sins that got them in trouble.
  • Repentant people face the pain that their sin caused others.
  • Repentant people ask forgiveness from those they hurt.

How do you repent and ask God for forgiveness?

Asking God to forgive your sins is an important process. It is important that you admit what you did wrong and truly feel sorry that you did it. You must come to God, pray using scripture, and ask Him to forgive you. Then you must believe that he has.

How many times does the Bible say heart?

In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, which is a listing of primary words contained in the King Jame's version of the Bible, the brain is not mentioned once, whereas the heart is cited 826 times.

Why should you repent?

Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The purpose, or goal, of repentance is to be able to embrace the reality of life in the kingdom. Being repentant foundationally means to change the way you think. Repentance involves changing the way you think about God, about yourself and about others.

What does Metanoia mean?

transformative change of heart

How many times does the Bible mention love?

In the Old King James Version (KJV), the word love is mentioned 310 times. In the New American Standard Version (NASV), the word love is mentioned 348 times. In the New International Version (NIV), the word love is mentioned 551 times. In the New Revised Standard Version (NASV), the word love is mentioned 538 times.

How does the Bible tell us to repent?

Repent means to "change your mind about" or "to turn away from." If you make a decision to turn away from your sins, that means you are walking away all of your sins, no matter how many of them there may be. You know He will forgive you when you genuinely repent through the Word of God (1 John 1:9 & Hebrews 4:14-16).

Why is the number 7 a holy number?

2. It has had significance in almost every major religion. In the Old Testament the world was created in six days and God rested on the seventh, creating the basis of the seven-day-week we use to this day. In the New Testament the number seven symbolizes the unity of the four corners of the Earth with the Holy Trinity.

Does God only forgive 490 times?

For a start, “490 times” is a nonsense figure, invented by Jesus as “seventy times seven” when Peter asked if it would be reasonable to forgive his brother seven times before thumping him (Matthew ch 18). His mercy is endless, his forgiveness is free.

What was the first sin in the Bible?

In traditional Christian teaching, original sin is the result of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God when they ate a forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

What is the number for Jesus?

888

Why should we forgive?

Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or excusing the harm done to you or making up with the person who caused the harm. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

How many times is believe in the Bible?

John's gospel uses the word pisteuw, which we translate as “to believe,” over 100 times.

How many times did Jesus forgive Peter?

Comparison with Peter's denial

Now, in response to Jesus' questioning, Peter affirms his love for Jesus three times.

Which of these sins does God consider to be an abomination?

Proverbs 6:16–19 lists seven things which are also abominations: "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."

When was the word faith first used?

Etymology. The English word faith is thought to date from 1200–1250, from the Middle English feith, via Anglo-French fed, Old French feid, feit from Latin fidem, accusative of fidēs (trust), akin to fīdere (to trust).

At what times did Jesus pray?

In addition to this, Jesus said grace before the feeding miracles, at the Last Supper, and at the supper at Emmaus. R. A. Torrey notes that Jesus prayed early in the morning as well as all night, that he prayed both before and after the great events of his life, and that he prayed "when life was unusually busy".

What does Hebrews 11 say about faith?

Bible Gateway Hebrews 11 :: NIV. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

What faith means?

FAITH means- belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction, faithfulness. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance that the lord is working, even though we cannot see it. Faith knows that no matter what the situation, in our lives or someone else's that the lord is working in it.

How many times does the Bible say grace?

In the King James translation, chen is translated as "grace" 38 times, "favour" 26 times, twice as "gracious", once as "pleasant", and once as "precious".

How many times does Jesus use the word love?

The word "love" appears 57 times in the Gospel of John, more often than in the other three gospels combined. Additionally, it appears 46 times in the First Epistle of John. In the Gospel of John, love for Christ results in the following of his commandments.

How many times is fear not in the Bible?

“'Fear not,' is in the Bible 365 times,” she said.

Is the word gospel in the Bible?

Gospel, any of four biblical narratives covering the life and death of Jesus Christ. Written, according to tradition, respectively by St. Matthew, St. See also Gospel According to Matthew; Gospel According to Mark; Gospel According to Luke; and Gospel According to John.

How many one anothers are there in the New Testament?

100