The 144000 Out of the 12 Tribes of Israel
The 144000 Sealed (Revelation 7:4–8, KJV)
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
and the Great Multitude
The Great Multitude (Revelation 7:9–10, KJV)
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Another description of the 144000 appears in Revelation 14:1–5:
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
3 …and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
1. The Hebrews
The term Hebrew first appears in Genesis 14:13:
“And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew…”
The word “Hebrew” is understood to mean “from beyond” (the river Euphrates), linking Abraham’s lineage back to Eber (Genesis 10:21, 25). Thus, all physical descendants of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, are considered Hebrews.
2. The Israelites
The name Israel was given to Jacob after he wrestled with the angel of God (Genesis 32:28):
“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”
From Jacob came 12 sons, who became the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 49). Thus, Israelites are Hebrews specifically descended from Jacob (Israel).
3. The Jews
The word Jew was originally associated with the tribe of Judah, one of Jacob’s sons (2 Kings 16:6). After the Babylonian exile, however, “Jew” became a broader term for all Israelites who returned to Judea and practiced the covenant.
By the time of Jesus, “Jew” had become a national and religious identity (John 4:9). However, Jesus and Paul emphasized that being a true Jew was not merely outward but also spiritual:
- Romans 2:28–29 “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly… but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit…”
4. False Jews
In Revelation, Christ warns of those who claim to be Jews but are not:
- Revelation 2:9 “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
- Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie…”
This refers to those who claimed covenant identity by religion or lineage but rejected Christ, the Messiah.
5. The 144000
In Revelation 7:4–8, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel are sealed, totaling 144000.
- They are Israelites by blood (since tribes are listed).
- They are also redeemed in Christ (Revelation 14:4).
This shows that not all Israelites are included, only those who belong to Christ.
6. The Great Multitude
Right after the sealing of the 144000, John sees a great multitude:
- Revelation 7:9 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne…”
This represents Gentiles (non-Israelites) who have been redeemed through Christ. They are not counted in the 144,000 because they are not Israelites by blood, but they are fully saved and share in eternal life.
7. Summary
- Hebrews = descendants of Abraham (Genesis 14:13).
- Israelites = descendants of Jacob/Israel (Genesis 32:28).
- Jews = originally from Judah, later all Israelites (2 Kings 16:6, John 4:9).
- False Jews = claim Jewish identity but reject Christ (Revelation 2:9, 3:9).
- 144000 = Israelites by blood, redeemed by Christ (Revelation 7:4–8, 14:4).
- Great Multitude = redeemed Gentiles from all nations (Revelation 7:9).
Diagram
Here is the chart that visually explains the relationships:
✨ In conclusion: the Bible distinguishes between physical descent and spiritual faith. The 144000 represent faithful Israelites sealed in Christ, while the Great Multitude represents the nations brought in by the gospel — together forming the one redeemed people of God.