Topical Encyclopedia
The term "twelfth" in the Bible often signifies completeness or divine order, as it is associated with the number twelve, which holds significant symbolic meaning throughout Scripture. The number twelve is frequently used in the Bible to denote God's authority and governmental foundation, as seen in various contexts and narratives.
Twelve Tribes of Israel: The twelfth son of Jacob, Benjamin, completes the list of the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes form the foundation of the nation of Israel, each descending from one of Jacob's sons. The number twelve here represents the fullness of the people of God in the Old Testament. In
Genesis 49, Jacob blesses his sons, and these blessings are prophetic for the tribes that will emerge from them.
Twelve Apostles: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ chose twelve apostles to be His closest followers and to lay the foundation of the Church. This choice reflects the continuity of God's covenant people from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The apostles are often seen as the spiritual leaders who would carry forward the message of the Gospel. In
Matthew 10:2-4, the names of the twelve apostles are listed, emphasizing their role in the establishment of the early Church.
Revelation and the New Jerusalem: The Book of Revelation uses the number twelve extensively to describe the New Jerusalem, the eternal city of God.
Revelation 21:12-14 states, "The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." This imagery underscores the completeness and perfection of God's eternal kingdom, with the number twelve symbolizing the unity of the Old and New Covenants.
Twelfth Month: In the Hebrew calendar, the twelfth month is Adar. It is significant for the celebration of Purim, a festival commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people as recorded in the Book of Esther.
Esther 9:1 notes, "In the twelfth month, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the edict commanded by the king was to be executed." This event highlights God's providential care and protection over His people.
Other References: The number twelve appears in various other contexts, such as the twelve stones set up by Joshua in the Jordan River (
Joshua 4:9) and the twelve loaves of the Bread of the Presence in the Tabernacle (
Leviticus 24:5-9). Each instance reinforces the theme of divine order and completeness.
In summary, the concept of "twelfth" in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the idea of divine governance, completeness, and the fulfillment of God's promises. The recurrence of the number twelve in both the Old and New Testaments serves as a reminder of God's sovereign plan and the unity of His people across the ages.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Next in order after the eleventh; coming after eleven others; -- the ordinal of twelve.
2. (a.) Consisting, or being one of, twelve equal parts into which anything is divided.
3. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by twelve; one of twelve equal parts of one whole.
4. (n.) The next in order after the eleventh.
5. (n.) An interval comprising an octave and a fifth.
Greek
1428. dodekatos -- twelfth ... twelfth. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dodekatos Phonetic Spelling:
(do-dek'-at-os) Short Definition:
twelfth Definition:
twelfth.
... Strong's Hebrew
143. Adar -- the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar... 142, 143. Adar. 144 . the
twelfth month in the Jewish calendar. Transliteration:
Adar Phonetic Spelling: (ad-awr') Short Definition: Adar.
... 144. Adar -- the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar
... 143, 144. Adar. 145 . the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar. Transliteration:
Adar Phonetic Spelling: (ad-awr') Short Definition: Adar. ...
8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)
... 7), each other (1), few (1), forty-two* (3), pair (7), second (11), second time
(1), sixty-two* (4), thirty-second* (2), thirty-two* (7), twelfth* (22), twelve ...
6240. asar -- ten
... 23), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), seventeen* (5), seventeenth* (6), sixteen*
(18), sixteenth* (3), thirteen* (12), thirteenth* (11), twelfth* (22), twelve ...
Library
From the Twelfth Chapter.
... from the twelfth chapter. 1. "And there was seen a great sign in heaven.
A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet ...
Twelfth Letter
... LETTERS TWELFTH LETTER. To the same correspondent probably, and expresses
his own abiding comfort through faith. IF we were well ...
Twelfth Proposition of Arminius
... TWELFTH PROPOSITION OF ARMINIUS. Thirdly, of Non-Election or Preterition.
Non ... questions. ANSWER OF JUNIUS TO THE TWELFTH PROPOSITION. ...
May the Twelfth Mouth and Matter
... MAY The Twelfth MOUTH AND MATTER. "Now therefore go, and I will be with
thy mouth." "Exodus 4:10-17. And what a promise that is ...
February the Twelfth the Bulb and the Soil
... FEBRUARY The Twelfth THE BULB AND THE SOIL. "He that hath My commandments,
and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me." "John 14:15-24. ...
October the Twelfth Round-About Ways
... OCTOBER The Twelfth ROUND-ABOUT WAYS. ACTS vii.1-7. "Unto a land that I
will show thee." But what mysterious windings there often ...
January the Twelfth Two Opposites
... JANUARY The Twelfth TWO OPPOSITES. "If any man love the world, the love
of the Father is not in him." "1 John 2:13-17. No man can ...
June the Twelfth Waiting for the Spectacular
... JUNE The Twelfth WAITING FOR THE SPECTACULAR. "The waves covered their
enemies.... Then believed they His words." "Psalm 106:1-12. ...
April the Twelfth the Lamb on the Throne
... APRIL The Twelfth THE LAMB ON THE THRONE. "In the midst of the throne stood
a Lamb as it had been slain!" "Revelation 5:6-14. How ...
Twelfth Day. Fidelity in Rebuke.
... Twelfth Day. FIDELITY IN REBUKE. "The Lord turned and looked upon Peter.""Luke,
xxii.61. Jesus never spake one unnecessarily harsh or severe word. ...
Thesaurus
Twelfth (20 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) The next in order after the eleventh. 5. (n.) An interval comprising an
octave and a fifth. Multi-Version Concordance
Twelfth (20 Occurrences).
...Adar (10 Occurrences)
... Large, the sixth month of the civil and the twelfth of the ecclesiastical year
of the Jews (Esther 3:7, 13; 8:12; 9:1, 15, 17, 19, 21). ...
Thirteenth (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after
the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month. ...
Othniel (7 Occurrences)
... In the days of David we find a family bearing the name of Othniel, from which came
Heldai the Metophathite, captain of the twelfth month (1 Chronicles 27:15). ...
Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... This was followed by the Middle Empire, the most powerful dynasty of which
was the Twelfth. The Fayyum was rescued for agriculture ...
Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of
King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day ...
Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of
king Ahasuerus, they cast pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day ...
Ahasuerus (28 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of
King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day ...
Pur (3 Occurrences)
... of the lots for the auspicious time: "They cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman
from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is ...
Removal (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:27 And it cometh to pass, in the thirty and seventh year of the removal
of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the twenty and seventh ...
Resources
What is the Twelfth Imam in Islamic eschatology? | GotQuestions.orgIslamic antichrist? Will the antichrist be a Muslim? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Epiphany / Three Kings' Day and should Christians celebrate it? | GotQuestions.orgTwelfth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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