For several reasons, the suggestion sometimes offered that the “seven times” of Leviticus 26:18 (KJV) refers to a prophecy of 2,520 years cannot be accepted.

1. The Hebrew term used in Leviticus 26:18 is sheva‘ which simply means “seven” and, from the context, is used adverbially to describe the intensity of the action, that is, “seven times more” or “sevenfold” (as a number of modern versions translate it). The same word is used in a similar way in verses 21, 24, and 28 of this chapter, but in each case only the word sheva‘ appears in the underlying Hebrew text. There is no noun that means “times” nor any other indication that a time period is intended. By contrast, Daniel 4:16, 23 has the two words “seven” and “times” in the original text. Also, the interpretation in verses 24-26 makes clear that a time period is intended.

2. Leviticus 26 contains conditional statements, promising specific blessings based on faithfulness to God and obedience to His commandments (vv. 1-13) and specific curses as a result of disobedience (vv. 14-39), as well as the possibility of forgiveness and restoration (vv. 40-46). Israel had already suffered many of the curses mentioned in Leviticus 26 long before Manasseh was temporarily taken captive by Babylon.

3. By contrast, the time prophecies of Daniel and Revelation are unconditional, referring to the distant future by use of the day for a year principle, and always give a specific starting point. The prophecy in Daniel 4 is somewhat different, referring to “seven times” or seven years in literal time. The time period was to begin when the king began living with the wild beasts and to end when his kingdom would be restored to him. Similar starting and ending points are made clear in the prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9 given in prophetic time of a day for a year. Leviticus 26 gives no indication of beginning and ending points or even that a time period is being mentioned.

4. While it is true that the Millerite prophetic chart of 1843 included a 2,520 year period based on Leviticus 26:18, this interpretation was not supported by Seventh-day Adventists. When James White republished the chart in 1863 this time period is not mentioned. Through careful Bible study, it was concluded that the mention of “seven times” (sheva‘) in Leviticus 26 refers to intensity of the punishment, not to the duration of the punishment. See James White, “The Seven Times of Lev. xxvi,” Review and Herald, January 26, 1864, p. 68.

5. Ellen G. White never refers to a prophecy of 2,520 years, but refers many times to the 2,300 years of Daniel 8:14 and, in fact, that this prophecy is the end of such time periods: “The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.” She also indicates in the same context that “the people will not have another message upon definite time” (7BC 971).

Therefore, the interpretation of Leviticus 26:18 as a time prophecy is incorrect and any message making belief in such a prophecy a test is misguided.