Twelve
Hebrew #8147 – šᵊnayim – שנים
Definition:
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Equivalent to the product of three and four; two more than ten; twelve
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A group or unit of twelve people or things
Related word: dozen
“All these are the twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them, he blessed each one according to his own blessing.”
Berĕshith (Genesis) 49:28
“These were those registered, whom Mosheh and Aharon registered, with the leaders of Yisra’ĕl—twelve men, each one for his father’s house.”
Bemiḏbar (Numbers) 1:44
“And Shelomoh had twelve governors over all Yisra’ĕl, who provided food for the sovereign and his household—each one made provision for one ḥodesh of the year.”
Melaḵim Aleph (1 Kings) 4:7
“It stood on twelve oxen: three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. And the Sea was set upon them, and all their back parts were inward.”
Diḇre haYamim Bĕt (2 Chronicles) 4:4
“And commanding the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the taught ones. And the taught ones gave to the crowds, and all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up the pieces left over—twelve baskets, filled.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 14:19–20
“And immediately the girl rose up and was walking, for she was twelve years old. And they were completely astonished.”
Marqos (Mark) 5:42
Throughout the Scriptures, we see the number twelve appear again and again. Twelve tribes. Twelve disciples. Twelve baskets of food left over after Yahusha multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand people.
On several occasions—especially in the instructions for offerings found throughout Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers—we see twelve used as a specific number of animals to be brought for offerings. Bemiḏbar (Numbers) 7:84–87 records “the dedication of the slaughter-place.” The passage lists objects of gold and silver that were to be made for this purpose: twelve dishes, twelve bowls, and twelve ladles—one of each for each of the twelve tribes.
In fact, most of the time throughout Scripture, the word twelve is used because of the twelve tribes, or to represent them. For example, Melaḵim Aleph (1 Kings) 18:31 says:
“And Ěliyahu took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Ya‛aqoḇ, to whom the word of יהוה had come, saying, ‘Yisra’ĕl is your name.’”
But the question is—why?
Why twelve tribes? Why twelve sons of Yisra’ĕl?
This is where it all began. Even the twelve followers of Yahusha, I believe, were chosen to represent the twelve tribes.
Let us look at the word itself.
šᵊnayim – שנים – #8147 comes from the word šēnî – שני – #8145, meaning second or two. But šēnî – שני – #8145 comes from its root word šānâ – שנה – #8138, meaning to repeat, do again, change, or alter.
This is fascinating.
How could the word used for twelve come from a root meaning to repeat or do again? Perhaps it is because twelve is repeated countless times throughout Scripture, woven again and again into the story of Yahuah and His people.
Now let us look at the Hebrew letters that make up the word for twelve:
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ש – shin: teeth; destruction or beauty
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נ – nun: seed; new beginning
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י – yod: arm; control or intention
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ם – mem: water; peace or chaos
Taken together, these letters suggest something profound. The number twelve, as in the twelve tribes, carries within it the potential for both chaos and peace—seed, offspring, continuation. It speaks of a strong arm, a loving arm like Yahuah’s, and of water—the living water Yahuah offers to those who follow Him in faith.
Yahuah was no fool when He created the Hebrew language, nor when He chose there to be twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl. He knew the tribes would bring both chaos and peace.
Consider Yehudah, the fourth son of Ya‛aqoḇ. He brought chaos and confusion into the story—yet through him came King Dawiḏ, and through Dawiḏ came Yahusha, who spoke of the living water, saying that those who drink of it will never thirst again. In this, we see the meaning of the seed fulfilled.
And with His strong arm, Yahuah performed awe-striking deeds for the children of Yisra’ĕl—parting the sea, feeding them from heaven, and sustaining them day after day.
And His great deeds did not stop within the pages of ancient Scripture.
He is working now—right now, this very moment.
Every second, Yahuah is working:
revealing His living water through the Scriptures,
drawing hearts to Himself,
and blessing those who love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind.
I urge you to think deeply about the word twelve, the tribes of Yisra’ĕl, and Yahuah’s promises—and how each of these can influence and change your life for the better as you continue to love Him and walk in His ways.
Praise Yah!
Shalom,
ES
