3845. Fulfill this week. That this signifies a further succession of study, is evident from the signification of “fulfilling,” as here being to serve or fulfill by serving, thus study (see n. 3824); and from the signification of a “week,” as being a state and also an entire period (n. 728, 2044); in the present case therefore a subsequent state and period, consequently what is successive. In regard to the signification of a “week,” this is the same as with the signification of a “month” (n. 3814), namely, that when it is mentioned in the singular number, it signifies the end of a former and the beginning of a subsequent state, thus a new state, to “fulfill” which is to proceed from the beginning to the end. The reason why a “week,” like all times specifically, signifies a state and also a period, is that all states have also their periods, that is; their beginning, successive progress, and end; yet in the other life these are not perceived as times, but as states and their revolutions. It is here very evident what the ancients understood by a week, namely, in a proper sense, every period that was distinguished into seven, whether it was of days, or of years, or of ages; thus whether it was great or small. That here it is a period of seven years is manifest; and as with the ancients seven signified that which is holy (n. 84-87, 395, 433, 716, 881), a “week” signified a holy period, and also the holiness of a period.

433. That Cain’s being “avenged sevenfold” signifies that it was sacrilege to do violence to that separated faith which is meant by “Cain” has been already shown at verse 15. And that by a “seventy and sevenfold avengement” is signified a far greater sacrilege the consequence of which is damnation, is evident from the signification of “seventy and sevenfold.” That the number “seven” is holy, originates in the fact that the “seventh day” signifies the celestial man, the celestial church, the celestial kingdom, and, in the highest sense, the Lord Himself. Hence the number “seven” wherever it occurs in the Word, signifies what is holy, or most sacred; and this holiness and sanctity is predicated of, or according to, the things that are being treated of. From this comes the signification of the number “seventy” which comprises seven ages; for an age, in the Word, is ten years. When anything most holy or sacred was to be expressed, it was said “seventy-sevenfold” as when the Lord said that a man should forgive his brother not until seven times, but until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22), by which is meant that they should forgive as many times as he sins, so that the forgiving should be without end, or should be eternal, which is holy. And here, that Lamech should “be avenged seventy and sevenfold” means damnation, because of the violation of that which is most sacred.