_The Number Seven_ (Vol. v., p. 532.).--The reply to the Query of MR.
EDWARDS is, that _sheva_, "seven," is used indefinitely for _much_ or
_frequently_ in Ruth iv. 15., 1 Sam. ii. 5., Is. iv. 1., Jer. xv. 9., and
Ezech. xxxix. 9. 12.; also in Prov. xxiv. 16., where, however, it may refer
to seven witnesses or pledges, as in Gen. xxi. 28-30. Compare Herodotus, l.
3. c. 8. on the seven stones of the Arabs, with Homer's _Iliad_, l. 19. v.
243. on the seven tripods of Agamemnon. In Arabic and Hebrew the word
_seva_ means finished, completed, satiated, as in Ezech. xvi. 28, 29. and
Hos. iv. 10. Seven, as an astronomical period, is known to most nations,
and has been from times prior to history. Clemens Alex. (_Stromat._ lib.
vi. p. 685., Paris, 1629) says the moon's phases are changed every seven
days. Seleucus, the mathematician, he also says distinguished seven phases
of that luminary. He notices the seven planets, seven angels, seven stars
in the Pleiades and in the Great Bear, seven tones in music, seventh days
in diseases, and gives an elegant elegy of Solon on the changes of every
seven years in man's life. Clemens (lib. v. p. 600., Paris, 1629) has
accumulated a variety of passages from ancient poets on the sacredness of
the seventh day. Cicero, in the _Somnium Scipionis_, speaks of seven as
"numerus rerum fere omnium nodus est." The following have treated on this
mystic number: _Fabii Paulini Hebdomades, sive septem de septenario libri_;
Omeisius _de Numero septenario_; Philo, _de Mundi opificio_; Macrobius, in
_Somnio Scipionis_, l. 50. c. 6.; Gellius, _Noct. Attic._ l. 3. 10.;
Censorinus _de die Natali_, c. 7.; and Eusebius, _de Praep. Evang._ l. 13.
c. 12. The Hebrews commemorated their seventh day, a seventh week
(Pentecost), the seventh month (commencing their _civil_ year), the seventh
year (for fallowing the land), and the seven times seventh year, or
jubilee.