The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 1212
The possible meaning of the number 1212 is derived from the Biblical calendar and a unique pattern found in God's word.
The first year on the Hebrew (Biblical) calendar begins late 3761 B.C. (Julian). Year 1212 on this calendar system runs from late September 2550 B.C. to the middle of September in 2549.
BibleStudy.org's Old Testament timeline, unlike the Hebrew calendar, dates the creation of man in 3969 B.C. This date also differs from Ussher's famous chronology that places Adam's creation in 4004 B.C. 1212 years after 3969 is 2757 B.C.
The first three Biblical patriarchs, Adam, Seth and Enos (Genesis 5:3 - 11), had already passed away by the time 2757 B.C. arrived. Cainan, the great-grandson of Adam, turned 887 years old this year. He will go on to live 23 more years until his death in 2734.
Other patriarchs alive 1212 years after man's creation include Mahalaleel (Cainan's son, Genesis 5:15 - 17), Jared (Mahalaleel's son, verses 18 - 20), Methuselah (Enoch's son, verses 25 - 27), Lamech (Methuselah's son, verses 28 - 31) and Noah (Lamech's son). Noah, who represented the 10th generation of humans on earth, was 156 years old.
Appearances of Number One Thousand Two Hundred Twelve
Ancient Israel, after a Judge named Othniel died, began to indulge in evil. God, in response to their unrepented sins, allowed Moab's king and his allies to dominate his people for eighteen years (Judges 3:11 - 14). After the people cried out to the Lord, however, he raised up a deliverer.
God inspired a man named Ehud, a rare left-handed warrior from the tribe of Benjamin, to free his people from Moab. After freeing the people, he served as Judge from 1292 to 1212 B.C., the longest of anyone who had or would serve in this capacity.
The people, after Ehud the Judge died in 1212 B.C., again indulged in evil. This time God allowed them to be harshly treated by King Jabin of Canaan for twenty years (Judges 4:1 - 3). It will take the godly leadership of Deborah and Barak to free the people from this great and powerful enemy.
Wrath, Death and Number 1212
Several Bible passages with a chapter and verse pattern of 1212 have a theme of wrath, judgment and death. For example, Exodus 12:12 reveals God's wrath on the Egyptians during the first Passover ancient Israel would keep.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord (Exodus 12:12, HBFV).
Genesis 12:12 conveys Abraham's fear of being murdered by the Egyptians so that they could have his beautiful wife Sarah. Joshua 12:12 reveals the kings of Eglon and Gezer were two of the thirty-one rulers killed by Israel during their fight for the Promised Land.
Jeremiah 12:12 laments the destruction of Jerusalem, "for the sword of the Lord shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other." The final example of 1212 signaling wrath and destruction is found in Revelation.
"Therefore, rejoice you heavens and those who dwell in them. Woe to those who inhabit the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, having great wrath because he knows that he has only a short time." (Revelation 12:12, HBFV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 1212
A man named Shamgar fought to free the Israelites of their implacable enemy the Philistines by killing 600 of them with nothing more than an ox goad (Judges 3:31). He seems to have served as a Judge concurrent with Ehud for possibly only a year (1212 B.C.).
The number 1212 is equal to 2 x 2 (or 2 squared) x 3 x 101.