Revelation 7:8

Translations

Modern

…from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Traditional

Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Literal

…out of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, out of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, out of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand having been sealed.

Latin

…ex tribu Zabulon duodecim millia signati: ex tribu Joseph duodecim millia signati: ex tribu Benjamin duodecim millia signati.

Original

Greek

English

…from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 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