What is in a number?

The Number 12 in the Bible

The number twelve is found 187 times total in the Bible, 22 of which are in the book of Revelation. Twelve is a perfect number, represents divine authority and appointment, signifying perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with rule. Twelve is the product of 3 the number of personages in the Divine Godhead.  There were twelve patriarchs from (and including) Shem (the son of Noah) to Jacob.

There were also 12 princes of Ishmael, and 12 sons of Jacob, whose families formed the 12 tribes of Israel with 12 princes.  This number is symbolically used to represent authority such as the stones in the High Priest's breastplate, the stones taken out of the Jordan, the number of the spies sent into the promised land, and the shewbread of the temple consisted of 12 loaves. During the period of the judges, there were 12 judges judged Israel. Solomon, one of those judges, appointed 12 officers over Israel. Elijah took twelve stones to build his altar to the Lord.

When we come to the New Testament we find the same emphasis and significance in the number 12. According to some church authorities, Jesus may have been born in the 12 month of the year.  At age 12, Jesus appeared at the temple. Jesus ordained 12 apostles, who were sent with authority to preach the Gospel and to be witnesses of His resurrection. Twelve legions of angels mark the perfection of angelic powers (Matthew 26:53). The holy city, the New Jerusalem is described in Revelations with twelve gates with twelve pearls, and at the gates twelve angels, and twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles.   The measurement of the New Jerusalem will be 12,000 furlongs square, while the wall will be 144 (12 x 12) cubits, Revelation 21:16,17. 

In the latter-days we have the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the First Presidency (3 members) holding the keys of the priesthood and the authority to direct the church on the earth.  A young man may first be ordained the priesthood at the age of 12.  In every temple, the 12 tribes of Isreal are represented in the oxen of the baptismal font. 

Twelve Trivia

There are: 12 Olympians in Mythology, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 sons of Odin – the Norse God, 12 Knights of the Round Table, 12 days of Christmas, and 12 Imams of Islam. In Hinduism there are 12 names for the sun god Surya. In most calendar systems, there are 12 months. There are 12 signs of the zodiac, and the hours of the day are numbered 1-12 A.M and P.M. The human body has 12 cranial nerves and 12 pairs of ribs. There are 12 edges on a cube, and 12 inches in a foot. There are 12 function keys on most PC keyboards. There are 12 basic hues on a color wheel.  There are 12 members of a jury in the United States. Twelve men have walked on the moon. Things that come by the dozen: donuts, roses, and eggs. And most importantly you should remember that a maximum of 12 characters can play in a round of Mario Kart.