Revelation 7:4-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 7:1-12

Here we have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds. By these winds we suppose are meant those errors and corruptions in religion which would occasion a great deal of trouble and mischief to the church of God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind: here the spirits of error are compared to the four winds, contrary one to another, but doing much hurt to the church, the garden and vineyard of God, breaking the branches and blasting the fruits of his plantation. The devil... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 7:4-8

7:4-8 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand were sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand; of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand; of the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand; of the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand; of the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand; of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand; of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand; of the tribe of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 7:4-8

There are certain quite general things to be noted here which will greatly help towards the interpretation of this passage. (i) Two things are to be said about the number 144,000. (a) It is quite certain that it does not stand for the number of the faithful in every day and generation. The 144,000 stands for those who in the time of John are sealed and preserved from the great tribulation which at that moment was coming upon them. In due time, as we see in Revelation 7:9 , they are to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:4

And I heard the number of them which were sealed ,.... And therefore could be sure of the exact number, which did not depend upon his sight, and telling them, in which some mistake might have been made, but he heard the number expressed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty, and four thousand : which is a square number arising from twelve, the square root of it, being just twelve times twelve thousand; and may denote their being the true and genuine offspring of the twelve... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:5

Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand ,.... Judah is mentioned first, because Christ sprung from that tribe, and the pure worship of God was preserved in it; and that itself was preserved a distinct tribe until the coming of Shiloh; its name signifies "praise God", Genesis 29:35 ; and shows, that it becomes all the sealed ones, all true believers, and every member of the church of God, to praise him for all favours and blessings, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:6

Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand ,.... "Asher", which the Septuagint pronounce "Aser", as here, signifies "blessed", Genesis 30:13 ; as all the sealed ones are, blessed with all spiritual blessings, with grace here, and glory hereafter. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand ; the name of this tribe signifies "wrestlings", Genesis 30:8 ; and may design the wrestlings of saints, both with God in prayer, and with their enemies, sin, Satan, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:7

Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand ,.... The name of this tribe signifies "hearing", Genesis 29:33 ; and such an hearing as is attended with obedience; and denotes the spiritual and practical hearing of the Gospel by those who hear, and understand, and believe, and practise what they hear, and yield the obedience of faith unto it. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand ; this name signifies "joined", Genesis 29:34 ; and denotes, that these sealed ones... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:8

Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand ,.... Which signifies "dwelling", Genesis 30:20 ; and was the tribe in which Christ had his dwelling, and where he much conversed; and may denote his gracious inhabitation, as well as that of God the Father, md of the Spirit, among the saints and sealed ones. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand ; whose name signifies "adding", Genesis 30:24 ; and may intend the additions both of numbers, and of gifts and graces to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 7:4

I heard the number of them which were sealed - In the number of 144,000 are included all the Jews converted to Christianity; 12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes: but this must be only a certain for an uncertain number; for it is not to be supposed that just 12,000 were converted out of each of the twelve tribes. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 7:5-8

Of the tribe of Juda, etc. - First, we are to observe that the tribe of Levi is here mentioned, though that tribe had no inheritance in Israel; but they now belonged to the spiritual priesthood. Secondly, That the tribe of Dan, which had an inheritance, is here omitted; as also the tribe of Ephraim. Thirdly, That the tribe of Joseph is here added in the place of Ephraim. Ephraim and Dan, being the principal promoters of idolatry, are left out in this enumeration. read more

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