1And a great sign [warning of an ominous and frightening future event] appeared in heaven: a 12:1 The woman represents the nation of Israel. The sun refers to Jacob (also called Israel, the name divinely bestowed on Jacob at Peniel Gen 32:28), and the moon to Rachel, while the twelve stars refer to the twelve tribes of Israel, originating with the sons of Jacob and Rachel (Gen 37:9-11).woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.