What does the number 12 mean in bible?

Answer 1

First answer:

12 stands for the twelve disciples. Additionally: ...the twelve disciples... who were promised by Jesus:

"...in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon TWELVE THRONES, judging the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL." (Matt.19:28)

Second answer:

Twelve in The Bible signifies governmental perfection.

In the Old Testament:

There were twelve patriarchs from Seth to Noah (before the flood), and twelve from Shem to Jacob.

Twelve persons were anointed by God for government:

Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar, Saul, David, Absalom, Solomon, Jehu, Joash, Jehoahaz

In the New Testament:

Besides the twelve Apostles, the measurement of New Jerusalem will be 12,000 furlongs square, while the wall will be 144 (12 x 12) cubits (Revelation 21:16,17).

And twelve legions of angels mark the perfection of angelic powers (Matthew 26:53).

Answer 2

All numbers used throughout the Bible have a spiritual meaning and a symbolic significance all of their own beginning with the first book of the Bible, Genesis, to the last, Revelation. Most often, the first time a specific number is found, the significance of it will be maintained throughout the rest of scripture wherever it is found.

For instance, the 12 Tribes of Israel (Gen.49:28) represents or is symbolic of (Divine) Government. Now compare Matt 19:28 which states ..."you shall also sit on 12 thrones...". There is the connection which links them both to a form of Government. Again, in Luke 6:13 Jesus chooses 12 disciples, again here a group representing something like a government (a Government has leaders, responsibilities, decisions, ruling, serving the people, etc.).

So the number 12 shows one of its meanings as the number of divine government .

The Holy City of God in Rev. 21:12 tells of the New Jerusalem and states it will have 12 gates, 12 angels at the gates, with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and in verse 21 it states the 12 gates are actually 12 pearls. In ch.22 v.2 it states there are 12 different fruits on the tree of life. Here we have the number 12 as the "fullness" of that Government. The Holy "City" represents God's Government and the attributes that go with it.

Multiples of the numbers usually carry the same meaning, but intensify the truth that is being conveyed by them as in Rev.4:4, which states around the Throne were 24 seats with 24 elders sitting on them. Here we have a multiple of 12 which is 12 x 2 equalling 24. And here again the no. represents or is symbolic of government or leaders. Who these 24 are we aren't told, except to note that they are seated round the Throne of God, bringing home to us the real truth of the scene.

The no. 12 is mentioned many, many times and represents a divine number that relates to authority, rulership, government.