SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:4
Y oí el nmero de los sealados: ciento cuarenta y cuatro mil sealados de todas las tribus de los hijos de Israel.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:4
Verse 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed , etc.] 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 apostles of the Lamb, holding their doctrine, and being built on their foundation; (see Revelation 21:14); and these were of all the tribes of the children of Israel ; not that these were all Jews in a literal sense, for the time of their conversion in great numbers is not yet come. Dr. Goodwin thinks these sealed ones design the believers of the Greek and Armenian churches, and his reasons are not despicable; but this is to limit and restrain them to a particular part of the church of Christ; whereas they take in all the saints within this long tract of time, even all that are the true Israel of God, who are Jews inwardly, of what nation, kindred, tongue, and people soever; and is a certain and determinate number for an uncertain and indeterminate one; and only intends a large number of persons known to God and Christ; see the Apocrypha: ``Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord; (2 Esdras 2:38).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - In the figurative language of Scripture, the blowing of the four wind together, means a dreadful and general destruction. But the destructio is delayed. Seals were used to mark for each person his ow possessions. This mark is the witness of the Holy Ghost, printed in the hearts of believers. And the Lord would not suffer his people to be afflicted before they were marked, that they might be prepared agains all conflicts. And, observe, of those who are thus sealed by the Spirit, the seal must be on the forehead, plainly to be seen alike be friends and foes, but not by the believer himself, except as he look stedfastly in the glass of God's word. The number of those who wer sealed, may be understood to stand for the remnant of people which God reserved. Though the church of God is but a little flock, in compariso with the wicked world, yet it is a society really large, and to be still more enlarged. Here the universal church is figured under the type of Israel.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 ηκουσα 191 5656 τον 3588 αριθμον 706 των 3588 εσφραγισμενων 4972 5772 ρμδ 1540 5062 5064 χιλιαδες 5505 εσφραγισμενοι 4972 5772 εκ 1537 πασης 3956 φυλης 5443 υιων 5207 ισραηλ 2474
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. An hundred and forty and four thousand. Not literally, but the number symbolical of fixedness and full completion (12 x 12). The interpretations, as usual, vary greatly, dividing generally into two great classes: one holding that only Jews are meant, the other including the whole number of the elect both Jew and Gentile. Of the former class some regard the sealed as representing Jewish believers chosen out of the literal Israel. Others add to this the idea of these as forming the nucleus of glorified humanity to which the Gentiles are joined. Others again regard them as Jews reserved by God until Antichrist comes, to maintain in the bosom of their nation a true belief in Jehovah and His law, like the seven thousand in the days of Elijah.
The interpretation of the latter class seems entitled to the greater weight. According to the Apocalyptic usage, Jewish terms are "christianized and heightened in their meaning, and the word "Israel" is to be understood of all Christians, the blessed company of all faithful people, the true Israel of God." See Rom. ii. 28, 29; ix. 6, 7; Gal. vi. 16; Philip. iii. 3. The city of God, which includes all believers, is designated by the Jewish name, New Jerusalem. In verse 3, the sealed are designated generally as the servants of God. In chapter 14 the one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed are mentioned after the description of the enemies of Christ, who have reference to the whole Church of Christ; and the mention of the sealed is followed by the world-wide harvest and vintage of the earth. The one hundred and forty-four thousand in chapter 14., have the Father's name written in their foreheads; and in chapter xxii. 4, all the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem are so marked. In chapter xxi. 12, the twelve tribes include all believers. The mark of Satan which is in the forehead, is set upon all his servants without distinction of race. See chapter xiii. 16, 17; xiv. 9; xvi. 2; xix. 20; xx. 4. The plagues threaten both Jews and Gentiles, as the sealing protects all.
