The Twelve
The Twelve refers to Israel's tribes and Jesus' apostles.
The Twelve is a designation used in scripture for two distinct groups: the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the patriarch Jacob, and the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. The twelve tribes are named and blessed by Jacob (Genesis 49:28), and are referenced in the construction of the altar and pillars by Moses (Exodus 24:4), the engraving of their names on stones for the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:21, Exodus 39:14), and the division of the land (Ezekiel 47:13). The twelve apostles are named by Jesus (Matthew 10:2) and are consistently called "the twelve" in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 26:20, Mark 4:10, Luke 8:1).
- Origin of the twelve tribes
- Jacob blessed his twelve sons, who became the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28).
- Moses built twelve pillars
- Moses built twelve pillars at the altar, according to the twelve tribes (Exodus 24:4).
- Stones with twelve names
- The high priest's breastplate had twelve stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes (Exodus 28:21, Exodus 39:14).
- Joshua selected twelve men
- Joshua called twelve men, one from each tribe (Joshua 4:4).
- Jesus chose twelve apostles
- The names of the twelve apostles are listed (Matthew 10:2).
- Judas was one of the twelve
- Judas Iscariot is identified as one of the twelve who betrayed Jesus (Matthew 26:14, Mark 14:10).
Lore & Background
The twelve tribes of Israel originate from Jacob's blessing of his twelve sons, each receiving a distinct blessing (Genesis 49:28). This number is symbolically reinforced in the wilderness, where Moses builds an altar with twelve pillars (Exodus 24:4) and the high priest's breastplate bears twelve stones engraved with the tribes' names (Exodus 28:21, Exodus 39:14). Later, Joshua selects twelve men, one from each tribe, for a specific task (Joshua 4:4), and Ezekiel prophesies the land's inheritance according to the twelve tribes (Ezekiel 47:13).
In the New Testament, Jesus chooses twelve apostles, whose names are recorded (Matthew 10:2). They are consistently referred to as "the twelve" throughout the Gospels, accompanying Jesus in his ministry (Luke 8:1), being taught privately (Mark 4:10), sent out to preach (Mark 6:7), and present at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20, Mark 14:17). Jesus promises that in the regeneration, they will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, betrays Jesus (Matthew 26:14, Mark 14:10), and his presence among the twelve is noted at the arrest (Matthew 26:47, Mark 14:43). The twelve apostles are also taken aside by Jesus to be told of his impending suffering (Matthew 20:17, Mark 10:32, Luke 18:31).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray "the Twelve" as a foundational and symbolic number in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the twelve tribes are a concrete historical and genealogical reality, established by Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:28) and memorialized in ritual objects like the altar pillars (Exodus 24:4) and the priestly breastplate stones (Exodus 28:21, Exodus 39:14). The number is also used for administrative purposes, such as Joshua selecting one man per tribe (Joshua 4:4) and Ezekiel's land division (Ezekiel 47:13).
In the New Testament, the twelve apostles are a deliberate parallel, chosen by Jesus (Matthew 10:2) and consistently called "the twelve" as a collective identity. They are learners, witnesses, and future judges of the twelve tribes (Matthew 19:28). The Gospels emphasize their close association with Jesus: they are with him in public and private (Mark 4:10, Luke 8:1), receive special instruction (Mark 9:35), and are present at key moments like the journey to Jerusalem (Mark 10:32) and the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20). The betrayal by Judas, one of the twelve (Matthew 26:14, Mark 14:10), highlights that even within this chosen group, human fallibility exists. The passages do not explain why the number twelve is chosen, but its consistent use across both testaments underscores its significance as a symbol of divine order and covenant community.
Did You Know?
- Jacob blessed each of his twelve sons individually, according to their own blessing (Genesis 49:28).
- Moses built twelve pillars at the altar, one for each tribe of Israel (Exodus 24:4).
- The high priest's breastplate had twelve stones, each engraved with the name of a tribe (Exodus 28:21, Exodus 39:14).
- Jesus promised the twelve apostles they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).