Revelation 7:5 kjv

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.

Revelation 7:5 nkjv

of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;

Revelation 7:5 niv

From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

Revelation 7:5 esv

12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad,

Revelation 7:5 nlt

from Judah ? 12,000
from Reuben ? 12,000
from Gad ? 12,000

Revelation 7 verses

Revelation 7 5 Meaning

Revelation 7:5 specifies the first three tribes out of the twelve from whom 12,000 individuals are sealed by God. This sealing identifies them as God's servants, marked for divine preservation and protection amidst the coming judgments upon the earth. The list begins with Judah, indicating its unique preeminence within God's chosen people, followed by Reuben and Gad, establishing a precise, divinely orchestrated order for this specific group.

Revelation 7 5 Context

Revelation 7:5 appears in an important interlude (Rev 7:1-8) between the opening of the sixth seal (Rev 6) and the seventh seal (Rev 8). The previous chapter described cosmic disruptions and fearful cries asking, "Who can stand?" (Rev 6:17) amidst divine wrath. Chapter 7 serves as God's answer, identifying two specific groups preserved by Him: first, the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, sealed for protection; second, a vast, innumerable multitude from every nation, praising God, who come out of the great tribulation. Verse 5 begins the enumeration of the 144,000, establishing the order and specific number from the initial tribes, highlighting God's meticulous, sovereign selection and preservation within Israel before the full fury of judgment is unleashed. This scene offers a comforting assurance of divine protection amidst impending cataclysm.

Revelation 7 5 Word analysis

• from the tribe of Judah (Greek: ek phylēs Iouda - ἐκ φυλῆς Ἰούδα)
  • from the tribe of: Signifies membership and origin, emphasizing the specific ethnic and familial identity of the group.
  • Judah: The first tribe mentioned. This placement is highly significant as Judah was not the firstborn son of Jacob but became the leading tribe due to God's blessing and covenant promises. It signifies royal preeminence (Gen 49:8-10) and is the lineage from which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, originates (Heb 7:14, Rev 5:5). This divine reordering highlights Christ's centrality to God's plan.
• 12,000 sealed (Greek: dōdeka chiliades esphragismenoi - δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι)
  • 12,000: Represents completeness and divine governmental order (the number 12, symbolizing the tribes of Israel and the apostles, indicative of God's covenant people) multiplied by 1,000, denoting a large, complete, and perfectly organized multitude. This figure suggests a perfectly assembled, distinct group rather than merely a symbolic representation, emphasizing their Israelite identity and specific divine purpose.
  • sealed (esphragismenoi): Passive participle, meaning "having been sealed." This act is divinely initiated, not human. A seal was used for authenticity, ownership, security, and preservation. In this context, it marks God's ownership of these individuals and ensures their divine protection from the coming judgments (Rev 9:4), separating them from those marked for destruction. It mirrors the sealing of believers with the Holy Spirit for redemption (Eph 1:13, 4:30).
• from the tribe of Reuben (Greek: ek phylēs Roubēn - ἐκ φυλῆς Ῥουβῆν)
  • Reuben: Jacob's firstborn son (Gen 29:32). However, due to his sin, he lost his preeminent status (Gen 49:3-4). His placement second, after Judah, further reinforces Judah's superior position and reflects God's sovereign prerogative in establishing a new order for His purposes.
• 12,000
  • This repetition of "12,000" underscores the equal representation and fixed, precise number from each of the sealed tribes, indicating an orderly and intentional selection process.
• from the tribe of Gad (Greek: ek phylēs Gad - ἐκ φυλῆς Γάδ)
  • Gad: A son of Jacob through Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Gen 30:10-11). The listing follows the same precise numbering, further building the full list of the 144,000.
• Word-Group analysis
  • "from the tribe of [X] 12,000 sealed": This repeated structure emphasizes God's methodical, precise, and systematic preservation of a distinct number of individuals from each specified Israelite tribe. It highlights that the 144,000 are not an amorphous group but specifically identified members of the covenant people of Israel. The inclusion of the "sealed" phrase points to their divine mark and protection from wrath, in contrast to others on earth who will suffer judgment.

Revelation 7 5 Bonus section

The specific order and composition of the tribes listed in Revelation 7 (Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin) differ significantly from nearly all Old Testament tribal lists (e.g., birth order in Genesis 29-30, encampment order in Numbers 2, or future land allotments in Ezekiel 48).Key differences:

1. Judah's Primacy: Judah consistently takes the lead, replacing Reuben, the actual firstborn. This theological reordering stresses Christ's significance.
2. Omission of Dan: The tribe of Dan is conspicuously absent from this list. Reasons are debated among scholars, possibly linking to Dan's historical idolatry (Judg 18:30) or a future association with apostasy or antichrist traditions in some Jewish apocalyptic writings. Its omission could signify a removal from the divinely appointed, preserved remnant.
3. Inclusion of Levi: The tribe of Levi, usually set apart for priestly service and not typically included in secular censuses or land distributions, is present here, indicating its restoration or specific role within this sealed group, not primarily a land-owning one.
4. Joseph vs. Ephraim/Manasseh: "Joseph" is listed as a single tribe, while his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, usually divide his portion. However, Manasseh is listed separately, indicating Joseph represents Ephraim. This also makes up for Dan's absence and allows for 12 tribes (10 others + Levi + Joseph as two portions through his sons) to reach the sacred total.This unique configuration signifies a divinely ordered, eschatological roll call that reflects God's specific purposes and perhaps a reordering of the covenant people in the end times.

Revelation 7 5 Commentary

Revelation 7:5 initiates the roll call of the 144,000, revealing God's precise and deliberate method for identifying a specific, complete number of individuals from the tribes of Israel to be sealed. The prominent placement of Judah first signifies its enduring messianic and royal importance, underscoring Christ's sovereignty, as He came from this tribe. The subsequent listing of Reuben and Gad, each with 12,000, establishes the consistent numerical representation for each tribe. The act of "sealing" is paramount; it denotes God's divine ownership, authenticates their identity, and guarantees their protection and preservation through the intense tribulation period that is soon to unfold. This passage reinforces God's faithfulness to His covenant promises with Israel and His capacity to protect His chosen servants amidst widespread judgment. It speaks to an orderly divine plan that meticulously accounts for each of His own, assuring believers of God's unfailing care even in the face of universal turmoil.