1429. The fact that and Abram was a son of seventy-five years means that he did not yet have much divinity can be seen from the symbolism of five as a little and of seventy as holiness. The symbolism of five as a little was illustrated above in §649 and that of seventy (or seven) as holiness in §§395, 433, 716, 881. Since the number seventy is mentioned in connection with the Lord here, it symbolizes divine holiness.

Previous statements and proofs regarding years and numbers (§§482, 487, 493, 575, 647, 648, 755, 813) show that on a deeper level, the numbers counting Abram's years have a different meaning [than the literal one]. The same conclusion is indicated by the fact that the Word contains not so much as a syllable or even a mark that lacks an inner meaning. It would never have been mentioned that Abram was then [a son] of seventy-five years if this had not involved spiritual and heavenly matters, and in fact the event would not have occurred at that particular stage of his life. The presence of a deeper meaning can also be seen from other numbers measuring both years and concrete objects in the Word. ¹

Footnotes:

648. The heavenly and spiritual symbolism of numbers and dimensions in the Word is plainly indicated by the taking of the measurements of the New Jerusalem and the new temple as recorded by John and Ezekiel. Anyone can see that the New Jerusalem and the new temple symbolize the Lord's kingdom in the heavens and on earth. Clearly that kingdom cannot be physically measured, and yet numerical dimensions of length, width, and height are specified.

From this, anyone can reach the conclusion that the numbers and measurements hold a sacred meaning. In John, for example:

A reed like a staff was given to me, and the angel stood nearby. He told me, "Get up and measure God's temple and the altar and those worshiping in it." (Revelation 11:1)

And regarding the New Jerusalem:

The wall of the heavenly Jerusalem was big and high, having twelve gates and on the gates twelve angels and names written, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, on the west three gates. The wall of the city had twelve foundations and on them the twelve names of the Lamb's apostles. The one who was talking to me had a golden reed for measuring the city and its gates and its wall. The city lies square, and its length is as great as its width. So he measured the city with the reed at twelve thousand stadia. Its length and width and height were equal. He measured its wall at a hundred forty-four cubits, which is the measure of a human, that is, of an angel. (Revelation 21:12-13, 14, 15, 16-17)

[2] The number twelve turns up repeatedly in this passage. It is a sacred number because it symbolizes the holy things of faith, as was mentioned above at verse 3 of the present chapter [§577]. (The same thing will be demonstrated below at chapters 29, 30 of Genesis [§§3858, 3862, 3913:1], with the Lord's divine mercy.) This is why it adds that the measure is the measure of a human, that is, of an angel.

The meaning is similar for the new temple and the new Jerusalem spoken of in Ezekiel, where again they are described by their measurements. See Ezekiel 40:3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13-14, 22, 25, 30, 36, 42, 47; 41; 42:5-15; Zechariah 2:1-2. In these places too, the numbers have no meaning by themselves. The only meaning is the one abstracted from the numbers, which is that of something holy and either heavenly or spiritual. This holds true for all the dimensions of the ark in Exodus 25:10 as well, and those of the appeasement cover, golden table, dwelling place, and altar in Exodus 25:17, 23; 26; 27:1. Likewise for all the figures and dimensions connected with the Temple in 1 Kings 6:2-3; and for many others.