Keraia
Revelation 7

Revelation 7:7

144,000 Sealed · Revelation 7:1–8
Read Revelation 7

Translations

Modern
…from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
Traditional
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
Literal
…out of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, out of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, out of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,
Latin
…ex tribu Simeon duodecim millia signati: ex tribu Levi duodecim millia signati: ex tribu Issachar duodecim millia signati:

Original

Greek
English
…from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

Notes

Revelation 7:4–8

Who are the 144,000? This list of the tribes of Israel does not match the twelve physical tribes exactly. Instead, it shows that God knows exactly who belongs to him. By the 90s AD, Israel’s twelve tribes no longer existed. Ten tribes were scattered when Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:1–41).

The early Christian church saw itself symbolically as the Israel of God (Matthew 19:28; Romans 2:28–29; 9:6–8; Galatians 3:29; 6:16; Philippians 3:3). The 144,000 likely represent all faithful Christians (compare Revelation 14:1–5; 21:12–17).

The list starts with Judah, the royal tribe of Jesus, but replaces Dan with Manasseh, one of Joseph's two tribes. The tribe of Dan fell into idolatry (Judges 18:14–31; 1 Kings 12:25–30), and early Christians saw it as the symbol of evil.

Revelation 7:1–8

The first vision in the interlude shows how God protects his faithful followers from any ultimate harm.

Revelation 7:1–17

Three interludes occur in Revelation 6–14 (Revelation 7; 10:1–11:14; 12:1–14:20). These interludes explain the place of God’s holy people and help readers understand the scenes that came before them. In this first interlude, which appears before the seventh seal is opened, two visions show how God protects his people and confirms his calling on them.

Revelation 6:1–8:1

The Lamb breaks the seven seals to reveal the significance of history from God’s point of view.

Theme notes and profiles

Symbolic Numbers Visions

People

Issachar: Son of Jacob and Leah, forefather of tribe Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Simeon: Son of Jacob and Leah, one of the twelve tribes

Glossary

Book of Esther Book of Revelation Cherub, Cherubim Mark of God, Mark of the Beast New Jerusalem Numbers and Numerology Simeon, Tribe of Tribe of Dan

Topics

Israel: Number of, in John's Apocalyptic Vision Levites: John's Vision Concerning Seals: Security Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sealing of the One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand