This number was sacred among the Jews, probably because it was that of the tribes (q.v.), or of the months of the year, or (as some think) of the signs of the zodiac. It was symbolical of just proportion, beauty, and stability. It is sometimes used in the general sense of a dozen thus, Jeroboam's garment is ‘ said to have been rent into twelve pieces (1 Kings 11:30), and Elisha to have ploughed with twelve yoke of oxen, etc
. (See NUMBER).