δώδεκα
dōdeka
twelve
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word δώδεκα (dōdeka), Strong's number G1427, is defined as "twelve". This numeral, occurring 77 times in the Bible, suggests its importance and widespread application in various contexts. δώδεκα was used to convey quantities, such as the number of days Jesus was fed by a small amount of food (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, John 6:1-14), the number of disciples Jesus chose to follow him (Matthew 10:2-5, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16), and the number of apostles (Acts 6:2-3). The frequency and context of δώδεκα imply that it held significant numerical value, possibly symbolizing completion, unity, or perfection in a particular situation. Its appearance in different accounts of significant events underscores the importance of precise record-keeping and attention to detail in biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
77 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
Matthew 10:1He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
Matthew 10:2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;
Matthew 10:5Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans.
Matthew 11:1When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Matthew 14:20They all ate, and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
Matthew 19:28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 19:28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 20:17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
Matthew 26:14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,
Matthew 26:20Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Matthew 26:47While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Matthew 26:53Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mark 3:14He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach,
Mark 3:16Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);
Mark 4:10When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
Mark 5:25A certain woman, who had a discharge of blood for twelve years,
Mark 5:42Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.
Mark 6:7He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Mark 6:43They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.
Mark 8:19When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Twelve.”
Mark 9:35He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Mark 10:32They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
Mark 11:11Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Mark 14:10Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.
Mark 14:17When it was evening he came with the twelve.
Mark 14:20He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.
Mark 14:43Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Luke 2:42When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
Luke 6:13When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Luke 8:1Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve,
Luke 8:42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him.
Luke 8:43A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians and could not be healed by any
Luke 9:1He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
Luke 9:12The day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place.”
Luke 9:17They ate and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
Luke 18:31He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.
Luke 22:3Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve.
Luke 22:14When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.
Luke 22:30that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 22:47While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.
John 6:13So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.
John 6:67Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?”
John 6:70Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
John 6:71Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.
John 11:9Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
Acts 6:2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
John 20:24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.
Acts 7:8He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
Acts 19:7They were about twelve men in all.