John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand , etc.] 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 were not only joined one to another in love and holy fellowship, but to Christ, and were one spirit with him, and were members of his body, flesh, and bones, and cleaved to him with full purpose of heart. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand ; the interpretation of this name is hire or reward, ( Genesis 30:18); and may design those rewards of grace which God bestows upon his faithful servants, in times of tribulation.
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
εκ 1537 PREP φυλης 5443 N-GSF συμεων 4826 N-PRI ιβ 1427 A-NUI-ABB χιλιαδες 5505 A-NPF εσφραγισμενοι 4972 5772 V-RPP-NPM εκ 1537 PREP φυλης 5443 N-GSF λευι 3017 N-PRI ιβ 1427 A-NUI-ABB χιλιαδες 5505 A-NPF εσφραγισμενοι 4972 5772 V-RPP-NPM εκ 1537 PREP φυλης 5443 N-GSF ισαχαρ 2466 N-PRI ιβ 1427 A-NUI-ABB χιλιαδες 5505 A-NPF εσφραγισμενοι 4972 5772 V-RPP-NPM
