The number 7 has always been considered the most sacred of all our
figures. Its prominence in the Scriptures is very remarkable, from
Genesis--where we read that the seventh day was consecrated as a day
of rest and repose--to Revelations--where we find the seven churches
of Asia; seven golden candlesticks; the book with seven seals; the
seven angels with seven trumpets; seven kings; seven thunders; seven
plagues, &c., &c., its frequent occurrence is most striking.
The Ancients paid great respect to the seven mouths of the Nile.
The seven rivers of Vedic India; seven wonders of the world; seven
precious stones; seven notes of music; seven colours of the rainbow,
&c., &c. The “Lampads seven that watch the Throne of Heaven” led
the Chaldeans to esteem the unit 7 as the holiest of all numbers,
thereupon they established the week of seven days, and built their
temples in seven stages. The temples and palaces of Burma and China
are seven-roofed.
In modern times this number has kept up its reputation. Shakespeare
paid special regard to it; the “seven ages” and every multiple of it
is supposed to be a critical or important period in one’s life.