Meaning of Numbers: The Number 77
The English phrase "seventy and seven" used for the number 77 is recorded 2 times in 2 King James Bible verses. While the number 77 rarely occurs in the Bible, far more common is the appearance of double 7's, some of which have a special meaning.
Noah wanted to determine the status of the water after the great flood. He sent out a raven and later a dove from the ark (Genesis 8:7 - 8). The dove returned without any symbol of life. Seven days later, he resent the dove. This time it returned with an olive leaf, proving that the waters had almost completely subsided although the ground was likely still water logged. He waited yet another seven days (double 7 or 77) and sent the dove yet again. This time, it did not return, which meant that the ground was dry enough for many kinds of animals.
Psalm 77 is one of several in the book of Psalms written by priests serving during the time of King David. Two verses in particular praise God's character and his mighty power to help his people.
Your way, O God, is in holiness; who is so great a God as our God? You are the God Who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the people (verses 13 - 14 of Psalm 77).
Appearances of Number Seventy-Seven
The first taking of a life recorded in the Bible is that of Abel at the hands of his brother Cain (Genesis 4:8). The second, however, was carried out by Lamech, the great-great-great grandson of Cain (Genesis 4). He was, through Cain, the seventh from Adam (not to be confused with another Lamech who was the ninth through Seth, another son of Adam, Genesis 5). Lamech, the first polygamist, used 77 to underscore his innocence about his act being murder.
And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, "Hear my voice . . . for I have killed a man because he wounded me, a young man because he hurt me; For if Cain is avenged seven times, then truly Lamech is avenged seventy-seven (77) times (Genesis 4:23 - 24, HBFV).
Although he may have killed a man in self-defense, Lamech seems rather boastful about his ability to exact revenge rather than regretting what took place.
Egypt's Pharaoh, at the time of Joseph, receives two sets of dreams (Genesis 41:2 - 3, 5 - 6). Each set contains double sevens (77) symbolizing a seven-year period of plenty followed by seven of famine. Joseph's inspired interpretation of the dreams not only earns him freedom from prison but also the reward of becoming Egypt's second most powerful person (Genesis 41)!
And it came to pass at the end of two whole years that Pharaoh dreamed. And behold, he stood by the river. And behold, there came up out of the river seven cows beautiful of form and fat of flesh. And they fed among the reeds. And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, evil in appearance, and lean of flesh . . .
And he slept and dreamed the second time. And behold, seven ears of grain came up on one stalk, fat and good. And behold, seven thin ears sprang up after them and were blasted with the east wind (Genesis 41:1 - 3, 5 - 6, HBFV).
Esau, Jacob and the Number 77!
God, when twin brothers Esau and Jacob were born, declared that Jacob, born second, would become greater than firstborn Esau would (Genesis 25:23). Years later Jacob, taking advantage of his brother's hunger, convinces Esau to sell him his birthright (Genesis 25:29 - 34).
In 1723 B.C., both Jacob and his brother Esau are 77 years old. Jacob, in response to the strong urging of his mother Rebekah (Genesis 27:6 - 10), pretends to be Esau in order to further insure he receives the greatest blessings from their father Isaac (verses 18 - 30).
Esau's understandable anger at his brother for his sinful deception forces Jacob to flee to Haran.
Jacob, after fleeing the wrath of his brother, ends up meeting a relative named Laban. Smitten by his younger daughter Rachel, he agrees to work seven years for the right to marry her (Genesis 29:1 - 20).
After laboring for seven years, Jacob is tricked by Laban into marrying his oldest daughter Leah instead of Rachel! Although infuriated at Laban's deception, the two men nevertheless agree that Jacob can also marry Leah but that it will cost him another seven years of work.
It therefore costs Jacob two sets of seven years (or 77) in order to marry his beautiful and beloved Rachel. These two women will ultimately become the two primary mothers of the nation of Israel!
Chapters and Verses
There are 9 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 77 times.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Numbers 7, 1Chronicles 6 and Psalm 119 contain 77 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament only Luke 1 has 77 verses in the KJV.
Only the book of Psalms has more than 77 chapters in the King James translation.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 77
The Old Testament writings that use "seventy and seven" for 77 are the books of Genesis and Ezra (one each).
The Greek word euaggelion, Strong's Concordance #G2098, is found 77 times in 74 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Romans (10 times) followed by Philippians (9) and the books of Mark, 1Corinthians and 2Corinthians (8 times each). The word, which means "a good message" or "good tidings," is translated as "gospel" in the King James.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel (euaggelion) of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people (Matthew 4:23, KJV).
And this gospel (euaggelion) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14, KJV).
The Greek word semeion, Strong's #G4592, is found 77 times in 69 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the books of John (17) then Acts and Matthew (13 each). The word refers to a sign, mark, token or wonder of a supernatural origin.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign (semeion) from thee (Matthew 12:38, KJV).
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles (semeion) before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20, KJV).
77 is the product of 7 x 11, both of which are prime numbers. It is also equal to the squares of three consecutive integers added together (4 x 4) + (5 x 5) + (6 x 6) or 16 + 25 + 36.
Interestingly, 77 is also the sum of the first eight primes or 2 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 + 17 + 19.
The English word "Christ," if we use a simple system where the letter "a" is equal to 1, "b" is two and so on to "z" being equal to 26, adds to 77. C is equal to 3, h is 8, r is 18, i is 9, s is 19 and t is 20 or 3 + 8 + 18 + 9 + 19 + 20 or 77.