I recently received an email that is similar to ones I have answered in the past, so I figured it would be wise to post my answer publicly, for the sake of anybody running into the same question. The email reads as follows:
Brandon, I had heard that “sin” is in the KJV 448 times and so is “blood”. I looked it up on Blue Letter Bible, and it says that “blood” is only mentioned 447 times. Can you tell me about this at all?
My response:
These counts are relayed correctly by Blue Letter Bible search (though I don’t usually recommend this website/program for counting; I prefer KJPBS).
blood is mentioned 447 times
sin is mentioned 448 times
However, unlike the myth that Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the Bible (it’s actually Psalm 117), the claim that both blood and sin are mentioned the same number of times does have some validity. A few editions of the KJB actually contain 447 mentions of sin – equivalent to the 447 mentions of blood.
This happens because of 2 Chronicles 33:19. One of the final textual standardizations in KJV printing history was “sins” vs “sin” in this verse. Some KJBs read “sins” while most read “sin.”
2 Chronicles 33:19 –
Most KJVs: His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.
A few KJVs: His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.
All current Cambridge and TBS printings read “sin” while most Allan (Oxford) editions retain “sins.” To see which editions have which reading, see Row 18 in this spreadsheet (Google Sheets).
The difference is also present in the Hebrew Masoretic Text vs the Greek Septuagint (LXX).
The Hebrew reads “sin” (singular) while the LXX has “sins” (plural) in 2 Chronicles 33:19.
The correct reading is in the Hebrew, which again, is present in most KJBs today: “sin” (singular) – accounting for the total of 448 mentions.
Why It’s Significant
1 John 1:7 says, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
As believers, we are saved and cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: – Colossians 1:14
An equal number of mentions reflects this great victory that is found in Christ. His blood covers all of our sins.
But as many people know, there is one sin known as “the unpardonable sin” which will never receive forgiveness. Some call this “an end of a Christ rejecting life.” It could also be the same sin as worshipping the beast or taking his mark (see Luke 12:10-12, Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:4-7, 14:11). Here is how Jesus describes it in all three synoptic gospels:
Matthew 12:31-32 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Mark 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
Thus, it is coherent and scripturally sound to see one more mention of sin than blood; there is one sin that will never be forgiven.
Intersecting Pattern
It’s worth noting that an even stronger pattern, with higher numeric significance, exists because of the settled and correct reading of “sin” in 2 Chronicles 33:19.
Sin (448x) + Forgiven (42x) = 490 mentions in the KJV, which equals 70×7, the number Christ associated with complete forgiveness of sins in Matthew 18:21-22. Changing the count from 448 to 447 would negate this pattern.
If you’re completely new to Bible numerics and the incredible things discovered in the King James Bible, please check out some of the main patterns such as The Golden Sequence on kjvcode.com.