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Seventy times seven / seventy-seven forgiveness

Here’s what it means

Jesus requires repeated, generous forgiveness rather than keeping a small tally of offenses.

Why the Bible says it this way

The writer deliberately uses very strong language to make an important point. The point is serious even though the wording is not meant literally.

A helpful detail: The number is not a permission to stop forgiving at a calculated limit. It likely reverses Lamech’s boast of escalating revenge.

Where it appears