Why the Number 12 is Prominent in Various Religions

This video follows up on a prior video regarding the number 12 and how we tell time, and is followed by a video on the the number 12 in music. The focus here is on the usage of the number in various religions, including Astrology, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Greek Mythology. I argue the prominence is based on 12 lunar cycles in a year.

From the Hebrew Scriptures I discuss Abraham and his two sons. Ishmael having 12 sons and Israel having 12 sons, making up the 12 tribes of Israel and being allotted twelve regions of land. I discuss the connection between the numbers 13/12 in our solar system, and various other places the number 12 comes up in the Hebrew Scriptures.

I then discuss the number 12 in the New Testament, most prominently with the 12 Disciples, and also including several references to the number 12 in the book of revelation.

I finally discuss the number 12 in Greek Mythology including the 12 Titans and 12 Olympians, and how this is similar to the pattern in old and new testament.