The number 70,000 appears in the Bible in the context of a significant event during the reign of King David, specifically in relation to a divine judgment upon Israel. This number is associated with the consequences of David's census of the people, an act that was displeasing to God.

Context of the Census:

The account of the 70,000 is found in two parallel passages: 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. King David, incited by Satan or moved by God’s anger, depending on the account, decided to take a census of Israel and Judah. This act was considered sinful, as it demonstrated a reliance on military strength rather than trust in God.

Divine Judgment:

After the census was completed, David's conscience was troubled, and he recognized his sin. God sent the prophet Gad to David, offering him a choice of three punishments: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of plague. David chose to fall into the hands of the Lord, preferring the plague, as he trusted in God's mercy.

The Plague:

The Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and as recorded in 2 Samuel 24:15 , "So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people died, from Dan to Beersheba." Similarly, 1 Chronicles 21:14 states, "So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead."

Significance:

The death of 70,000 men serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the seriousness of sin. It underscores the importance of reliance on God rather than human strength or numbers. The event also highlights God's mercy, as He relented from destroying Jerusalem after David interceded and built an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, where the plague was halted.

Theological Implications:

The incident of the 70,000 deaths raises questions about divine justice and mercy. It illustrates the tension between God's holiness and His compassion. David's response, which included repentance and sacrificial offerings, demonstrates the appropriate human response to sin and divine judgment. The narrative also foreshadows the need for a perfect atonement, which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, censuses were often conducted for military or taxation purposes. However, in Israel, such actions were to be directed by God, reflecting His sovereignty over the nation. The unauthorized census by David was a breach of this divine order, leading to severe consequences.

Related Entries:

· David, King of Israel: The second king of Israel, known for his military conquests, his heart for God, and his significant failures, including the census.
· Gad, the Prophet: A prophet during David's reign who delivered God's message of judgment and offered David the choice of punishments.
· Araunah the Jebusite: The owner of the threshing floor where David built an altar to stop the plague, a site that later became the location of Solomon's Temple.70000 (1 Occurrence)

2 Chronicles 2:18
He set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work.
(See NAS)

70000 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 70000 (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 2:18 He set seventy
thousand of them to bear burdens, and eighty thousand ...
/num/70000.htm - 6k

74600 (2 Occurrences)

/num/74600.htm - 6k

64300 (1 Occurrence)

/num/64300.htm - 6k

Numbering (35 Occurrences)
... In his "strait" David said, "Let me fall into the hands of the Lord." A pestilence
broke out among the people, and in three days swept away 70,000. ...
/n/numbering.htm - 19k

David (1052 Occurrences)
... a pestilence, brought upon the land as a punishment for David's sinful pride in
numbering the people (2 Samuel 24), in which no fewer than 70,000 perished in ...
/d/david.htm - 93k

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