The Biblical Significance of the Number 12
The number twelve is featured in many instances throughout the Bible, so it would make sense to explore what, if any, spiritual significance this number might have. It was very common to use symbolic numbers in Jewish circles during the time of Jesus, almost like codewords that could be shared without fear of mistranslation or misunderstanding. Many biblical scholars have delved into the meaning of these numbers, and while they all tend towards the same conclusions when it comes to 12, the deeper, spiritual meaning of which can be found in the Bible is still open for interpretation.
Taking it at face value, twelve seems to be a number that has inextricably linked with both spiritual and temporal things. There were twelve tribes of Israel, for example, and Jesus chose twelve apostles to carry out His mission. This could equate to a symbolic reinforcement of the ‘spiritual twelve’. As a number, twelve is also used to represent fullness, as in a twelve-month year, or twelve hours of daylight.
The Apostle Paul may have seen it as a tangible sign of faithfulness. In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul described the Church of Jesus Christ as “a chaste virgin to Christ” and John 13:20-21 points out that loyal followers can serve as an example to others. And all this is of course reflected in the structure of the original 12 apostles.
It can also be viewed as a prophetic number. According to Matthew 19:28, Jesus proclaimed that in heaven “there will be twelve thrones and on them will sit twelve judges, judging the twelve tribes from Israel”. That judgment is often interpreted as a symbolic foreshadowing of Christ’s eventual return. For example, in Revelation 21:12-14, the New Jerusalem which was to exist after the Final Judgment was said to be “laid out as a square, 12,000 furlongs in length, width and height, with twelve gates and twelve pearls”.
Additionally, examining the 12 gates that led into the City of Jerusalem, we can see a spiritual representation of the characteristics of Jesus Christ and his 12 disciples that they disciples embodied in their behavior, as well as an expression of faith. According to Proverbs 8:20-21, the gates symbolically represent divine wisdom and protection, and the 12 gates represent protection from all sides. They also act as a reminder of the 12 tribes and signify the short distance the believer needs to travel to reach heaven.
Symbolism of Perfection and Perfect Government
The number twelve also symbolizes perfection in many ways. For example, twelve represents perfection of government, as a well-formed government should consist of twelve members (perfect to signify completion).
There were twelve major Roman deities representing perfection (Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Vulcan, Mercury, Apollo, Diana, Venus, Mars, Minerva, Vesta, and Ceres).
In the Old Testament, the 12 tribes of Israel were said to represent the “Perfect Government”, embodying the perfect divine order.
The 12 stones set up by Joshua in the middle of the Jordan River are also seen as symbols of perfect government, as each stone bears the name of one of the 12 tribes.
The 12 princes of the 12 tribes of Israel represented God’s people and were seen as a living testimony to the unity of God’s chosen people.
The Symbolism of Fulfillment
The number twelve is also a symbol of fulfillment. In the Bible, 12 is often linked to the completion or fulfillment of a certain task. Twelve baskets of food were used to store the leftovers of Jesus’s miracle of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:20). Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for him by choosing 12 apostles, who would then go out into the world and spread the Gospel. The 12 men of Israel were led by Moses to fulfill God’s mission for them.
The number 12 is also often used to represent the completion of a task in the Bible. The 12 lamps of the Tabernacle, for example, symbolize the completion of the journey through the wilderness. The 12 disciples were symbols of the completion of Jesus’s mission on earth. The “12 tribes” of the Israelites were a sign of fulfillment of the divine plan for them.
Finally, the 12 stars of the book of Revelation signify the completion of the heavenly kingdom. These are just a few examples of how twelve is often used to portray the fulfillment of God’s will.
The Symbolism of Time and Eternity
The Bible often ties twelve to the concept of time and eternity. The 12-hour division of the day, for example,12 is likened to the 12 labors of Hercules or the 12 months in a year. The number 12 thus symbolizes humanity’s struggle against time, and our need to use our finite time in service to God and each other.
Just as twelve symbolizes eternity and a lifetime of struggle, it can also represent the idea of a cycle that cannot be broken. The Twelve Tribes of Israel were meant to be a nation that was separated yet united, as well as a reflection of the power of eternity, insofar as even if one is destroyed, the other eleven can still exist.
Twelve can also symbolize timelessness in the context of faith. The twelve apostles were intended to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ for generations to come, and it is alluded to in the Bible that their work will never die. In a way, this can also represent eternity and immortality, as the work of the apostles is timeless and inseparable from the life of Jesus Christ.
The Symbolism of Divine Power
The number 12 is also associated with the divine power of God. As the twelve members of the Tribes of Israel had to rely on God’s power and faithfulness, twelve was seen as a symbol of protection, delivered by the Lord.
In addition, the twelve stones set up in the middle of the Jordan River and the twelve loaves of bread set out in the Tabernacle were intended to represent the power of God over the 12 tribes of Israel. Likewise, the 12 stars at the gates of the city of Jerusalem were a sign of the ultimate triumph of the Lord over the enemies of His chosen people.
The 12 jewels in the foundation of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation further reinforces the notion that the power of God is not just for the past, but for the future too. It serves as a reminder that even after the world has changed, God’s kingdom remains unchanged and the Lord will always be with His people, now and forever.
The Symbolism of Unity
The Twelfth of Israel, perhaps moreso than any other number, symbolizes unity. The twelve apostles were chosen to represent unity among different people and nations; they were the embodiment of Christ’s mission “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity”. Just as the Twelve Tribes of Israel were unified in their faith, so too were the apostles meant to be unified in their mission
The 12 stones of the Jordan River were also meant to be a sign of unity among the twelve tribes of Israel. They are a reminder to the people that even though each tribe has its own customs and beliefs, they are united by the same faith and by the same God.
This is also reflected in the twelve gates of the city of Jerusalem. These gates symbolize the gates of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation, a city open to those from all nations who love God. They serve as a reminder that patience, love and understanding are what unite us all, no matter what our differences may be.
The Symbolism of Approaching the Divine
Finally, the number 12 can be seen as symbolic of approaching the divine. The 12 disciples of Jesus represent the approaching of the divine. The twelve baskets used to store the leftovers of Jesus’s miracle of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:20) also hint at approaching the divine.
The 12 lamps of the Tabernacle were constantly burning, a symbol that the path to the Lord was always open. This also ties into the symbolism of the twelve gates of the city of Jerusalem, which signify that entrance into the City of God is always available, regardless of any divisions that exist in the world.
In addition, the 12 stones set up by Joshua by the Jordan River further speak of approaching the divine, as their placement was an expression of faith that the divine was present, even during the perilous journey across the Jordan River.
Overall, it is clear that the number twelve has deep spiritual significance in the Bible, and that its meaning is open to interpretation and discussion. The potential implications of its symbolism can be explored and discussed further to gain greater insight into its meaning and how it is used in biblical passages.
