Introduction:
The number twelve holds significant symbolic and literal importance throughout the Bible. It often represents completeness, authority, and divine governance. This number appears in various contexts, from the tribes of Israel to the apostles of Jesus, and is frequently associated with God's covenantal promises and organizational structures.

Twelve Tribes of Israel:
The most prominent occurrence of the number twelve in the Bible is the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob. These tribes form the foundation of the nation of Israel. In Genesis 49, Jacob blesses his sons, each of whom becomes the progenitor of a tribe. The tribes are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph (often represented by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh), and Benjamin.

Twelve Apostles:
In the New Testament, Jesus appoints twelve apostles to be His closest followers and to spread His teachings. The selection of twelve apostles is symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a new covenant and the establishment of the Church. The apostles are Peter, James (son of Zebedee), John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias as noted in Acts 1:26).

Twelve Stones:
In Joshua 4:1-9, twelve stones are taken from the Jordan River to serve as a memorial for the Israelites' crossing into the Promised Land. Each stone represents one of the twelve tribes, symbolizing unity and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

Twelve Gates and Foundations:
The Book of Revelation describes the New Jerusalem with twelve gates and twelve foundations. 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 continuity between the Old and New Covenants and the completeness of God's redemptive plan.

Twelve in Worship and Rituals:
The number twelve also appears in the context of worship and rituals. In Leviticus 24:5-9, twelve loaves of bread, known as the Bread of the Presence, are placed on the table in the Tabernacle each Sabbath as an offering to the Lord. This practice signifies God's provision and the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Twelve Years and Twelve Months:
The Bible occasionally uses the number twelve in reference to time. For example, in Mark 5:25, a woman suffers from a bleeding condition for twelve years before being healed by Jesus. Additionally, the Hebrew calendar is based on a lunar cycle with twelve months, aligning with the natural order and God's creation.

Twelve in Visions and Prophecies:
In prophetic literature, the number twelve often appears in visions and symbolic imagery. For instance, in Revelation 12:1, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head, represents Israel and the fulfillment of God's promises through the Messiah.

Conclusion:
The number twelve is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, symbolizing divine order, governance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Its repeated use across both the Old and New Testaments highlights its importance in the theological and historical context of the Bible.12 (22 Occurrences)

1 Chronicles 25:10
the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:11
the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:12
the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:13
the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:14
the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:15
the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:16
the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:17
the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:18
the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:19
the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:20
for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:21
for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:22
for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:23
for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:24
for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:25
for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:26
for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:27
for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:28
for the one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:29
for the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:30
for the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve:
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:31
for the four and twentieth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
(See NIV)

12 (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 12 (22 Occurrences). ... 1 Chronicles 25:12 the fifth
to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve: (See NIV). ...
/num/12.htm - 10k

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 4:12, 14, a rover or wanderer (Hebrews n'a); Judges 12:4, a refugee, one
who has escaped (Hebrews palit); 2 Kings 25:11, a deserter, one who has fallen ...
/f/fugitive.htm - 11k

Administration (12 Occurrences)
... ad-min'-is-ter ad-min-is-tra'-shun diakoneo, diakonia: Terms used in the King James
Version in 1 Corinthians 12:5 2 Corinthians 8:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 9:12...
/a/administration.htm - 12k

Fence (12 Occurrences)
... From various causes they were apt to bulge out and fall (Psalm 62:3). In Psalm
80:12, RV (see Isaiah 5:5), the psalmist says, "Why hast thou broken down her ...
/f/fence.htm - 15k

Pashur (12 Occurrences)
... Release. (1.) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Nehemiah 10:3;
12:2), the head of ... Henry Wallace. Multi-Version Concordance Pashur (12 Occurrences). ...
/p/pashur.htm - 14k

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)
... We find "gazelle" without comment in Deuteronomy 12:15, 22; Deuteronomy
14:5; Deuteronomy 15:22 1 Kings 4:23. ... Gazelle (12 Occurrences). ...
/g/gazelle.htm - 13k

Enchantments (12 Occurrences)
... (2.) The rendering of the Hebrew keshaphim, "muttered spells" or "incantations,"
rendered "sorceries" in Isaiah 47:9, 12, ie, the ... Enchantments (12 Occurrences). ...
/e/enchantments.htm - 11k

Kedesh (12 Occurrences)
... It was originally a Canaanite royal city (Joshua 12:22), and was the residence of
Barak (Judges 4:6); and here he and Deborah assembled the tribes of Zebulun ...
/k/kedesh.htm - 14k

Jewel (12 Occurrences)
... term in Hebrew is keli ("utensil," "vessel"), coupled with mention of "gold" or
"silver" or both (Genesis 24:53 Exodus 3:22; Exodus 11:2; Exodus 12:35; Exodus ...
/j/jewel.htm - 12k

Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... country (Leviticus 18:3, 4; 20:22, 23). Solomon formed a league with Hiram
(1 Kings 5:12). This "brotherly covenant" is referred to 250 ...
/a/alliance.htm - 21k

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