1429. dódekaphulon

Lexicon

dódekaphulon: Twelve tribes

Original Word: δωδεκάφυλον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: dódekaphulon
Pronunciation: do-de-KAH-foo-lon
Phonetic Spelling: (do-dek-af'-oo-lon)
Definition: Twelve tribes
Meaning: the Twelve Tribes (of Israel).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

twelve tribes.

From dodeka and phule; the commonwealth of Israel -- twelve tribes.

see GREEK dodeka

see GREEK phule

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from adjective dódekaphulos (of twelve tribes); from dódeka and phulé
Definition
the twelve tribes
NASB Translation
twelve tribes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1429: δωδεκάφυλον

δωδεκάφυλον, δωδεκαφυλου, τό (from δώδεκα, and φυλή, tribe), the twelve tribes, used collectively of the Israelitish people, as consisting of twelve tribes: Acts 26:7. (Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 55, 6 [ET]; Protevangelium Jacobi,

c. 1, 3; λαός ὁ δωδεκάφυλος, Sibylline Oracles Cf. δεκάφυλος, τετράφυλος, Herodotus 5, 66; (Winer's Grammar, 100 (95)).)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From δύο (dō) meaning "two" and δέκα (deka) meaning "ten," combined with φύλον (phylon) meaning "tribe" or "race."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H7626 שֵׁבֶט (shevet) • tribe, rod, staff
- H4294 מַטֶּה (matteh) • tribe, staff, branch

These Hebrew terms are often used in the Old Testament to denote the tribes of Israel, reflecting their role as distinct yet unified entities within the nation.

Usage: The word δωδεκάφυλον is used in the New Testament to refer to the collective tribes of Israel, emphasizing the unity and identity of the people of Israel as descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob.

Context: The term δωδεκάφυλον is a compound word that encapsulates the concept of the twelve tribes of Israel, a foundational element in the narrative of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The twelve tribes originate from the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel, and they form the nation of Israel. Each tribe is named after one of Jacob's sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph (often represented by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh), and Benjamin.

In the New Testament, the concept of the twelve tribes is significant in understanding the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the fulfillment of His promises. The Apostle Paul, in his defense before Agrippa, refers to the hope of the promise made by God to "our fathers," which the twelve tribes hope to attain (Acts 26:7, BSB). This highlights the enduring expectation of the tribes for the coming of the Messiah and the restoration of Israel.

The Book of Revelation also references the twelve tribes in the context of the eschatological vision, where 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel are sealed (Revelation 7:4-8, BSB). This symbolic number underscores the completeness and perfection of God's salvific plan for His people.

The concept of the twelve tribes serves as a reminder of the historical and spiritual heritage of Israel, as well as the inclusive nature of God's redemptive work, which extends to all who are grafted into the spiritual Israel through faith in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

δωδεκαφυλον δωδεκάφυλον dodekaphulon dōdekaphulon dodekaphylon dodekáphylon dōdekaphylon dōdekáphylon

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 26:7 N-NNS
GRK: ἣν τὸ δωδεκάφυλον ἡμῶν ἐν
NAS: [the promise] to which our twelve tribes hope
KJV: [promise] our twelve tribes, instantly
INT: which the twelve tribes of us in

Strong's Greek 1429
1 Occurrence

δωδεκάφυλον — 1 Occ.