12 Tribes - 12 Members of a Jury?

QUESTION:
In Joshua when God is dividing the land to the 12 Tribes and sets land off for the bad people...Does this have anything to do with our current system of government and the 12 members of a jury? I maybe reaching but I was thinking that with 12 jury members and from all different areas like the 12 tribes getting the lands we were using this thought process when the idea came about?

RESPONSE:
Throughout the history of the United States, there have been questions about the connection between the Bible and our system of government. Whether it is the references to the Creator in our founding documents or the laws that derive from the Ten Commandments, the two link together in a number of ways. However, we need to take a closer look at the two issues referenced in this question to come to a proper conclusion.

The twelve tribes of Israel were formed from the 12 sons of Jacob. These sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, and Joseph (Genesis 35:22-26). While these men were the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel, this list does not match exactly the names of the tribes allotted land in Canaan. The ancestors of Joseph were in two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Joseph’s sons (Joshua 16). Also, the tribe of Levi received no land but they inherited cities in which to live (Joshua 21).

The sixth amendment to the United States Constitution provides for trial by jury. The amendment states, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a…trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law….” Misdemeanor cases in many states have juries of six, but felony cases operate with 12-member juries. By the time the framers of our Constitution wrote the sixth amendment, 12-member juries had 700 years of history behind it. England had been using juries since early in the 12th century. Henry II asked that 12 free men be assigned to arbitrate the cases. It was thought that 12 would be an accurate cross-section of the population.

The number 12 has no connection to the 12 tribes of Israel according to the biblical scholars and historical sources that were consulted in this research. For the purposes of the United States Constitution, our 12-member juries came from England. The fact is, evidence of juries can be found as early as ancient Greece. But those juries included several hundred members.

Numerology speculators may find limited success in different areas of the Scriptures, but we cannot let these side issues distract us from the story of hope and redemption that is found throughout Scripture, even in the Old Testament. It is beautiful to see the number of chances God gave to Israel and remember the opportunity He gives to us when He sent His Son to die on the cross. Staying focused on the redemptive story in Scripture will never lead us astray.

Proverbs 31:10-31

QUESTION:

I heard that the first letter of each verse (10-31) is an acronym in Hebrew. If so, what does it say/mean? (I've attempted online translations with no luck.) Secondly, how can this passage apply not only to married women, but all women, and how should men approach/respond to the same?

RESPONSE:

Proverbs 31:10 – 31 is a piece of Hebrew prose written in an alphabetical acrostic form. This means that the first word of each line begins with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical order. Many times in Hebrew poetry this was a device used to aid one’s memory in learning and memorizing. It is therefore not a “secret code” within Scripture with hidden meaning, but rather something beautiful and artistic that has been lost in the midst of time and translations. The good news is that we 21st century English speakers can still learn from this, being that this passage was set apart to a degree to carry an important and timeless message about the qualities and character of godly women.

Throughout this passage, the woman of Proverbs 31:10 – 31 is described as an incredible benefit to her husband (v. 11 – 12, 21, 23), family (v. 15; 27 – 28), and others (v. 20). This is a result of her character (v. 10) and wisdom (v. 26) that are rooted in her faith and obedience to the Lord (v. 29 – 30). This example of a hard working woman of faith (v. 17, 26) is worth the attention of both single and married woman, for according to Scripture, a woman exhibiting such traits is to be praised (v. 31).

For men, the lesson seems to be one of singular focus: The wisdom and character of a godly woman is far greater than her outward beauty (v. 30). Such a companion in life is rare and beyond any value that can be assessed (v. 10). Such a woman will build him up (v. 23) and make him better, and he will have great comfort and trust in this relationship (v. 11 – 12). Men, therefore, should honor and seek a woman who exhibits these emblems of high spiritual value above all else (v. 10, 30).

Finally, the acrostic form of this passage is a good indication that it is well worth studying and even memorizing. Women who strive to reflect the woman in this passage are praised for their immeasurable value and strength (v. 28, 31). Men who evaluate a woman’s beauty based on such standards find themselves benefitting from a life focused on virtue and not simply what is pleasing to the eyes (v. 30). These universal and timeless applications have made this passage well known and wisely studied for generations.