Eric Reece
Dictionary.com crowned their 2025 word of the year: the word “6-7.”
That’s six-seven, not sixty-seven.
I try to keep up with the latest trends and happenings. I understand if you ask a youngster how they are doing, they may respond, “6-7.” If a teacher asks a question, all the students may shout, “6-7!”
Some schools have tried to discourage students from yelling “6-7!,” but you know what happens when you forbid the latest hip thing.
What does it mean? I am not sure if anyone knows, but I have heard two explanations. One comes from a song and the other from an understanding of what numbers symbolize in the Bible.
The song “Doot Doot” is by the artist Skrilla. A line about “6-7” from the song was repeatedly used in video clips and became popular. So, people went around saying “6-7” this and “6-7” that.
In the Bible, numbers have symbolism. They are a clue of what may lie ahead. The number 12 is a symbol of divine order. You have 12 patriarchs and 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus had 12 disciples.
The number 40 symbolizes a period of testing and judgement. You have 40 days and nights of rain and 40 years traveling in the wilderness. Nivenah had 40 days to repeat. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, was tempted by Satan but did not succumb to his lies and began his ministry.
Where does 6 and 7 fit in with the Bible? On the sixth day, God created the land, animals and humans. God saw everything God had created and it was very good. God had created the heavens, Earth and their hosts in six days – but creation was not complete. Lastly, God blessed the seventh day, made it holy and rested. Six is incomplete, but seven is blessed by God. Six stands for human imperfection, but seven is perfection.
Seven plays a prominent role in the Book of Revelation. There are seven churches that are called out. You have seven spirits, which symbolizes the fullness of the Holy Spirit. You have seven seals, trumpets and bowls symbolizing complete judgement. There are seven lampstands, stars and torches. The number seven in the Book of Revelation symbolized completeness, as God ushers in the new heaven and earth.
There is one use of seven in the Bible that is very important for us to understand. In Matthew 18, Simon Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness, willing to forgive someone up to seven times. This was commendable as rabbi’s taught you to forgive someone up to three times, but the fourth was on them.
How did Jesus respond? He said, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Jesus’ response is to not put a limit on forgiveness. Why? Because God does not limit the forgiveness God has for us. This is the grace of God available for all.
God’s grace that has the power to forgive us of all sin and God’s grace that has the power to forgive even those who have terribly injured us.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.