Pronunciation Guide: doh-DEK-ah-toss (δω-ΔΕΚ-α-τος)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1428: δωδέκατος (dōdekatos) is an ordinal number meaning “twelfth” in sequence. It appears in the Book of Revelation to identify the twelfth and final foundation stone of the New Jerusalem. As a numerical adjective, it represents completion, divine order, and the fulfillment of God’s perfect design in the heavenly city.
Etymology and Morphology
- Part of Speech: Adjective (Ordinal Number)
- Root Word: δώδεκα (dōdeka, “twelve”)
- Origin: Greek
- Primary Usage: Apocalyptic literature (specifically in Revelation)
- Compound Word: Formed from δύο (duo, “two”) + δέκα (deka, “ten”) = “two [and] ten” + -τος (-tos, ordinal suffix)
δωδέκατος Morphology:
- δωδέκατος (masculine nominative singular) – twelfth
- δωδεκάτη (feminine nominative singular) – twelfth
- δωδέκατον (neuter nominative/accusative singular) – twelfth
- δωδεκάτου (masculine/neuter genitive singular) – of the twelfth
- δωδεκάτῳ (masculine/neuter dative singular) – to/with/in the twelfth
Origin & History
The Greek word δωδέκατος derives from the cardinal number δώδεκα (twelve), which itself is a compound of δύο (two) and δέκα (ten). In classical Greek literature, the number twelve held significant cultural and mathematical importance. Herodotus in his “Histories” used ordinal numbers including δωδέκατος to describe sequences of kings and events. In the mathematical works of Euclid, the number twelve was considered a perfect number due to its many divisors.
In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, numbers and especially the number twelve carry profound theological significance. The twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve months of the year, and various ceremonial counts of twelve appear throughout the text. While δωδέκατος itself appears rarely in the LXX, its cardinal form δώδεκα occurs frequently, emphasizing completeness and divine organization. Early church fathers like Origen in his “Commentary on John” and Clement of Alexandria in “Stromata” expanded on the symbolism of twelve as representing apostolic fullness and the complete revelation of God.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- The twelfth in a sequence or order
- Denoting completion of a divinely appointed series
- Indicating the final element in a set of twelve
- Symbolizing the perfection and completion of God’s design
δωδέκατος Translation Options:
- Twelfth – The most direct and accurate translation, maintaining the ordinal nature of the word
- The final of twelve – Emphasizes its position as the completion of a series
- Last of the twelve – Highlights its culminating position when the context clearly indicates a series of twelve items
- Completing the twelve – Used when emphasizing the concept of completion rather than mere numerical position
Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, δωδέκατος appears only once in Revelation 21:20, where it describes the twelfth foundation stone of the New Jerusalem. This singular appearance is significant as it marks the completion of the foundation stones, each adorned with a precious gem and corresponding to one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The twelfth stone is identified as an amethyst, a purple gem often associated with royalty, spirituality, and divine connection in ancient cultures.
The cardinal number δώδεκα (twelve) appears much more frequently throughout the New Testament, particularly in reference to the twelve apostles, twelve tribes of Israel, and various symbolic uses in Revelation. These usages establish a framework for understanding the significance of δωδέκατος as the completion of a divinely ordained number.
- “the twelfth [δωδέκατος] stone was amethyst.” Revelation 21:20
Though δωδέκατος appears only once in scripture, its root δώδεκα appears in significant contexts:
- “having twelve [δώδεκα] gates, and at the gates twelve [δώδεκα] angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve [δώδεκα] tribes of the sons of Israel.” Revelation 21:12
- “And the wall of the city had twelve [δώδεκα] foundation stones, and on them were the twelve [δώδεκα] names of the twelve [δώδεκα] apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:14
Cultural Insights
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, amethyst—the gem associated with the δωδέκατος foundation—was highly valued for its purple color. Purple was the color of royalty due to the immense expense of purple dye, which was extracted from certain sea snails in a labor-intensive process. The fact that the twelfth and final foundation stone is amethyst has special significance, potentially symbolizing the royal nature of the heavenly Jerusalem as the dwelling place of the King of Kings.
In Jewish tradition, the high priest’s breastplate contained twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. According to some traditions, amethyst was associated with the tribe of Gad. The connection between the twelve foundation stones in Revelation and the twelve stones in the high priest’s breastplate creates a powerful theological link between the Old and New Covenants, suggesting that the New Jerusalem fulfills and completes the symbolic representation of God’s presence among His people that was foreshadowed in the Tabernacle and Temple worship.
Theological Significance
The appearance of δωδέκατος in Revelation 21:20 signifies the completion of God’s redemptive plan. The number twelve in Scripture consistently represents divine governance and perfect administration, seen in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. The twelfth foundation stone completes the foundation of the New Jerusalem, representing the fullness of Yahweh’s covenant relationship with His people, now perfected through the Messiah.
The amethyst stone associated with the δωδέκατος foundation has traditionally been linked to sobriety of mind and spiritual awareness. In the ancient world, amethyst was believed to protect against drunkenness (its name in Greek, ἀμέθυστος, means “not intoxicated”). Spiritually, this suggests that in the New Jerusalem, believers will experience perfect clarity of mind and spirit, no longer seeing “through a glass darkly” but face to face with God (1 Corinthians 13:12). This final foundation stone thus represents the ultimate clarity and perfection of our knowledge of God in the eternal state.
Personal Application
The δωδέκατος foundation reminds us that God is a God of completion. Just as He finished the New Jerusalem with the twelfth foundation stone, He will complete the good work He has begun in each of us (Philippians 1:6). When we feel incomplete or unfinished in our spiritual journey, we can take comfort in knowing that our Lord is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, who brings all things to their divinely appointed completion.
Consider meditating on the nature of the amethyst—a stone that was believed to bring clarity of mind and protection from intoxication. In our daily walk with the Messiah, we are called to be sober-minded and alert (1 Peter 5:8), not intoxicated by the world’s philosophies or distractions. The δωδέκατος foundation invites us to seek spiritual clarity and to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), anticipating the perfect understanding we will one day have in the New Jerusalem.
Related Words
- δώδεκα (dōdeka, “twelve”) – The cardinal number from which δωδέκατος derives; appears frequently in the New Testament to designate the twelve apostles, twelve tribes, and other divinely appointed groups of twelve. Differs from δωδέκατος in being a cardinal rather than ordinal number. See G1427
- δεκαδύο (dekaduo, “twelve”) – An alternate form of δώδεκα, less common in the New Testament but conveying the same meaning. This form emphasizes the components “ten” and “two” more distinctly. See G1177
- δέκατος (dekatos, “tenth”) – A related ordinal number indicating the tenth position in a sequence. Appears in significant contexts including tithing (tenth part) and in Revelation’s sequence of judgments. See G1182
- ἑνδέκατος (hendekatos, “eleventh”) – The ordinal number immediately preceding δωδέκατος; appears in Revelation 21:20 describing the eleventh foundation stone (jacinth). See G1734
- πρῶτος (prōtos, “first”) – While not numerically adjacent to δωδέκατος, this ordinal number is theologically significant as it begins the sequence that δωδέκατος completes, representing the “first and the last” concept that appears throughout Revelation. See G4413
Did you Know?
- Did you know that the amethyst stone associated with the δωδέκατος foundation has historically been connected to sobriety and clear thinking? Its very name in Greek (ἀμέθυστος) means “not intoxicated,” derived from the belief that wearing this purple stone would prevent drunkenness. This connection makes it a fitting symbol for the perfect clarity of thought and spiritual understanding that believers will experience in the New Jerusalem, where we will see the Lord “face to face” with perfect comprehension.
- Did you know that in ancient Jewish tradition, according to some rabbinic sources, the amethyst stone on the high priest’s breastplate (חושן/hoshen) was associated with the tribe of Gad? The name Gad means “fortune” or “troop,” and this tribe was known for its warrior qualities. The connection between the warrior tribe and the stone of clear thinking suggests that spiritual warfare requires mental clarity and sobriety—a concept that the δωδέκατος foundation in Revelation may indirectly reference.
- Did you know that in medieval Christian symbolism, the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem were often associated with the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed? The δωδέκατος (twelfth) stone, amethyst, was linked to the final article: “the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” This connection emphasizes how the twelfth foundation stone symbolizes the completion and perfection of God’s redemptive work, culminating in eternal life.
Remember This
The δωδέκατος foundation stone reminds us that in Yahweh’s divine architecture, nothing is left unfinished—His work in creation, redemption, and final restoration all culminate in the perfect completion symbolized by this twelfth and final foundation of the eternal city.
