Bible Strands
Revelation 7:5
From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports a divine announcement listing tribal groups receiving a seal. This event functions as an interlude between the sixth and seventh seal sequences, not during the seventh seal's opening.
The words — ἐσφραγισμένοι (esphragismenoi) = sealed; δώδεκα (dōdeka) = twelve. The text states these terms directly as the action and fixed quantity applied to each tribal entry.
The thread — The tribal enumeration echoes Exodus 1:2 and Numbers 1:4, which list Israel's patriarchal families, and Numbers 10:14, which establishes Judah's leading position in the camp.
Why it lands — A reader must account for the precise, repeated distribution of twelve thousand across named tribes without assuming the list represents a literal demographic count or a future prophecy.
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
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Cross-references
- Exodus 1:2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;
- Numbers 1:4 And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you.
- Numbers 10:14 First, the divisions of the camp of Judah set out under their standard, with Nahshon son of Amminadab in command.
- Numbers 13:4 and these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur;
- 1 Corinthians 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.