The number 700 combines divine perfection (7) with completeness on a large scale (100), symbolizing an intensified wholeness or fulfillment.
In biblical tradition, 7 is one of the most central symbolic numbers, linked to God's perfection, rest, and covenant. When multiplied by 100, this symbolism is intensified to express a grand or lavish perfection. In Judges 20:16, 700 chosen left-handed Benjamites who were sling experts are mentioned, suggesting a special selected whole within the tribe. The number also appears in connection with Solomon's 700 wives of royal rank (1 Kings 11:3), expressing excessive abundance and royal power. The biblical text links this directly to Solomon's fall, as his wives "turned his heart toward other gods" (1 Kings 11:4) – thus 700 here becomes a warning symbol that even divine perfection can be perverted through human arrogance. In Judges 20:16, the 700 Benjamites are described as "chosen men, left-handed," each able to "slingshot a stone at a hair without missing." The selection of exactly 700 warriors emphasizes that this was a complete, elite unit. In the extended Hebrew numeral system (where final letters have their own values), nun sofit (ן) represents the number 700. Nun is associated with faithfulness and perseverance, which can enrich the symbolic understanding of 700 as perfect faithfulness. Solomon's 700 wives and 300 concubines total 1000, a number that in itself symbolizes absolute completeness. This combination can be understood as a literary device to express the totality of Solomon's abundance—and his apostasy.*