490

"Bethlehem" in Hebrew, Beit Lechem (House of Bread) literally has a numeric value of 490. And 490 is connected to forgiveness.

Think about it for a moment.

Peter comes to Jesus and says, "How many times do I have to forgive? Up to seven?" He thought he was really spiritual, (referring to) the number of completion.

And Jesus is not impressed. He says, "No, seventy times seven, 490."

Of any number he could have chosen why did he choose the number 490?

Because 490 is a numerical value of the Hebrew word "Tamim" (tah-meem) which means "to be perfect or complete."

You can't be perfect or complete in your faith unless you're willing to forgive.

"Let your heart be perfect" in Hebrew literally adds up 490.

-Rabbi Jason Sobel

James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus, also understood this when he wrote, "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:4

This is the reason why we have come to learn that unforgiveness blocks the flow of healing in a person's life. Many times we will pray with the person for healing and if there's no change we stop and have them ask the question, "Holy Spirit, is there someone I need to forgive?" or "Holy Spirit, do I need to forgive myself?"

Read the testimony section on this.