I'm testing a Theory.. So many people discuss whether or not 144,000 is a literal number.. I want to discuss, what if 144,000 is not a number of Individuals, rather a number of Groups of People.
While there is no unanimous acceptance or truth, some believe that The Book if Revelation was written in Hebrew originally. My theory is based in this possibility.
" The Language of the Book of Revelation
To anyone who knows the Greek language, it is immediately clear that the author of the book of Revelation had not mastered idiomatic Greek of his day. Rather, his native language was Hebrew. This has led some scholars to argue that the book of Revelation was originally written in Hebrew, and later translated into Greek. 3 Others have contended that its original language was Aramaic, which was later translated into Greek. 4 However, neither of these views has gained widespread acceptance among scholars, because neither accounts for all the data presented in the book itself. Charles is undoubtedly correct when he states: “while he [the author of the book of Revelation] writes in Greek, he thinks in Hebrew.” 5 Thus, meanings of words, tenses, cases, and syntactical constructions which do not make sense in the Greek of the book of Revelation, make excellent sense when the Hebrew behind them is understood." - http://www.studyjesus.com/Religion_Library/Johannine_Studies/15_O_T_Revelation.htm
There is much confusion over the word "eleph" 1,000 vs Clan (Family)
Isaiah 60:22 - ""The smallest one will become a clan, And the least one a mighty nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time." - ESV
Isaiah 60:22 - "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time." - KJV
The difference comes from the confusion of the Translation of a form of Eleph
"The oxen likewise and the young asses that till the ground shall eat savory provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fork." (ASV, Isaiah 30:24)
In the verse above is the Hebrew noun אלף (eleph, Strong's #504) meaniing is oxen. Oxen are the largest of the Ancient Hebrews' livestock and were most frequently used for plowing the fields, usually in pairs. An older ox would be yoked to a younger one in order for the older one to teach the younger through association. This same noun is also found in Judges 6:15 where it is translated as "family." In a family, the children learn from the parents, in the same manner as the oxen, through association.
As oxen are "very large" animals, the word אלף (eleph) is also used for a "thousand," a "very large" number. (While this is the same word discussed previously, Strong's dictionary has assigned this word the number 505 when used for a "thousand.") From this aspect of the noun, a second verb is formed. Normaly, Hebrew nouns are derived out of verbs, however on occasion, a verb is derived out of a noun, this verb is called a demonstrative verb. The demonstrative verb formed out of אלף (eleph) is אלף (A.L.Ph, Strong's #503) meaning to "give a thousand."
In summary, the Hebrew word אלף can be;
- 1. A verb meaning to learn by association.
- 2. A noun meaning oxen, a large beast, which learns through association.
- 3. A noun meaning family, through the idea of association.
- 4. A noun meaning a thousand, a large number.
- 5. A verb meaning to give a thousand.
"If bible translators can misinterptet 'lp as "thousand" when "clan" is intended there is clearly scope for a scribe copying an early Hebrew text to interpret 'lp as "thousand"when "troop" was intended. http://kiel0.home.xs4all.nl/ColinHumphreysNumbers1.pdf
Regarding the number 144,000 in Revelation, The seemingly obvious view is that by Multiplying 12 by 1,000 you reach 144,000 - Each 12 Represents one of the 12 Tribes of old Testament Israel, however as seen above the Old Testament uses the word eleph in a Variety of Ways. As a number eleph could designate 144 Groups of 1,000 People, the Word can also Designate a Military unit such as a Brigade or Battalion.
Eleph COULD also Represent the Administrative divisions of each Tribe! Something like States with in a Country (Clan within a Tribe).
This Method of Separation can be seen at Exodus 18:21 - " Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens." A more detailed Example of this organization can be seen is Numbers 26 http://biblehub.com/esv/numbers/26.htm
Since the Nation of Israel originated from a Single Family (Genesis 49:1-28) such Administrations can also Represent a Family Tree, each of the Tribes can be broken down into Sub tribes,Clans and Families.
This could mean that the eleph does not represent 144,000 People, rather 144 Heads of Households. each ruling a clan numbered in four figures.. Regardless of the Exact meaning, I feel that it is unwise to be Dogmatic about 144,000 being a Literal number! The 144,000 Represents everyone who has ever been faithful to God and His son, through out History.
Imagine this Translation :
Revelation 7:4 - "
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144 Clans, + sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: +
5 Out of the tribe of Judah 12,Clans sealed;
out of the tribe of Reu′ben 12,Clans;
out of the tribe of Gad 12,Clans;.... etc
Revelation 14:1 - " Then I saw, and look! the Lamb + standing on Mount Zion, + and with him 144 Clans + who have his name and the name of his Father + written on their foreheads.
14:3 - " And they are singing what seems to be a new song + before the throne and before the four living creatures + and the elders, + and no one was able to master that song except these 144 Clans who have been bought from the earth.
= )