Bible Strands
Revelation 7:4
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel:
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The visionary narrator reports hearing a declaration during a divine pause in the outpouring of judgments. The message addresses the sealing of a specific group before environmental destruction begins.
The words — ἀριθμὸν (arithmon) literally means number, and ἐσφραγισμένων (esphragismenōn) means sealed. These terms ground the vision in a precise count and a protective marking.
The thread — This sealed group reappears in Revelation 14:1 standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion and in Revelation 14:3 singing before the throne. The tribal framework echoes Jesus’ promise in Luke 22:30 regarding the twelve tribes of Israel.
Why it lands — The text states a fixed count of marked individuals drawn from specific tribal lineages before demanding recognition of that bounded group. It requires the reader to accept divine preservation as operating through precise identification rather than broad exemption.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Cross-references
- Revelation 14:1 Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
- Revelation 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
- Luke 22:30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Acts 26:7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.
- Ezekiel 48:31 the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.
- Romans 9:27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved.
- Romans 11:5 In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
- James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
- Revelation 9:16 And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.