In the biblical context, the division of time into weeks is a significant concept that finds its roots in the creation narrative and is further emphasized throughout Scripture. The week, consisting of seven days, is a fundamental unit of time ordained by God and is deeply embedded in the rhythm of life as described in the Bible.

Creation and the Seven-Day Week

The concept of the week originates in the creation account found in Genesis. According to Genesis 1:1-2:3, God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day. This pattern established the seven-day week, with the seventh day being sanctified as a day of rest. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."

The Sabbath Commandment

The division of time into weeks is further reinforced by the Fourth Commandment, which instructs the observance of the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:8-11 , the Israelites are commanded, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

Weeks in Israelite Worship and Festivals

The division of time into weeks also plays a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. The Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot or Pentecost, is celebrated seven weeks after the Passover. Leviticus 23:15-16 instructs, "From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count seven full weeks. You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD."

Prophetic and Symbolic Use of Weeks

In biblical prophecy, weeks are sometimes used symbolically. The prophecy of the "Seventy Weeks" in Daniel 9:24-27 is a notable example, where "weeks" are interpreted as periods of seven years each. This prophecy outlines a timeline for significant events in the history of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of the week continues to hold importance. The early Christians gathered on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 20:7 notes, "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread." This practice highlights the continued significance of the weekly cycle in the life of the early Church.

The division of years into weeks, as established in the biblical narrative, underscores the divine order and rhythm instituted by God. It serves as a reminder of God's creative work, His commandments, and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ.Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured on the desolate.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 18:12
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Fragment xviii. On the Circumstances Connected with Our Saviour's ...
... space of a day and night being divided into nineteen parts ... which in the Hebrew system
make 490 years, as has been previously stated, that is, 70 weeks, by which ...
/.../the writings of julius africanus/fragment xviii on the circumstances.htm

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
... angel for about four hundred years] standing on ... the families of Israel, now divided
into political factions ... and zealots or patriots; and into religious factions ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/v annunciation to zacharias of.htm

Daniel
... seventy years are not literal years, but weeks of years ... During the last week (ie
seven years) there would be ... by a Greek empire, which will be divided into four. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ...
... Having mentioned therefore seventy weeks, and having divided them into two parts ...
Unto Christ the Prince shall be seven weeks," which make forty-nine years. ...
/.../on daniel ii the interpretation.htm

Antichrist in Daniel
... so that a period of 490 years in all is ... These seventy "sevens" are divided into three
portions: First ... in the so-called "Triumphal Entrance into Jerusalem." Third ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/4 antichrist in daniel.htm

On the Creation of the World
... in Daniel, [2231] also the forty-three weeks in Daniel ... day, as I have above related,
is divided into two parts ... by these hours too, months, and years, and seasons ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Introduction.
... two hundred and fifty times," ie probably 250 weeks of years (= 4250), after ... Fourth
Book of the Sibylline Oracles the time is divided into eleven generations ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

Spanish Conquest-The Propagation, Decay, and Downfall of Spanish ...
... The spiritual work was naturally and wisely divided into the pastoral ... Fourscore years
after the founding of the colony and mission ... "In a few weeks no Spaniard ...
/.../chapter ii spanish conquest-the propagation.htm

The Sanhedrim in Session.
... They, as was usual, divided into two classes. ... pushed with vigor and which lead a
few weeks later to ... man, who was high priest in all for eighteen years, from ad ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the sanhedrim in session.htm

The Roman Power.
... The army was divided into legions, each about 6,000 men ... make himself king, and after
four years, some of the ... of the old Persians, and bursting into Judaea when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xix the roman power.htm

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