1. Leviticus 8:33 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why is the number seven significant?

Leviticus 8:33 (ESV)

33 And you shall not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for it will take seven days to ordain you.

The command to remain in the tent seven days stressed the completeness and perfection of the process of being ordained into the priesthood. The number seven (šě'ḇǎ‛) in Hebrew symbolizes completion and fulfillment—it is a common number for a period of ritual separation (see Genesis 50:10; Leviticus 14:8; Leviticus 15:13). In Exodus 29:36 Moses is commanded to sacrifice a bull on each of the seven days in order to make purification and atonement.