THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL
The Bible tells us that a man named Abraham was the first human being to recognize
that there was one true God. The twelve tribes of Israel are the descendants of
that man and his wife Sarah through their grandson Jacob. The story of the family
occurs in wanderings through Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), Canaan (modern Israel),
and Egypt.
In Canaan Sarah and Abraham were blessed with a son named Isaac, who with his wife
Rebecca had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. God’s selection of the younger twin Jacob
as the son to carry on the family line put Jacob’s life in danger, which caused
him to flee back to Mesopotamia. There he married two of his cousins, Leah and Rebecca.
With his two wives and two of their handmaids, he fathered 12 sons and a daughter:
Reuben; Simeon; Levi; Judah; Dan; Naftali; Gad; Asher; Issachar; Zebulun; Dinah;
Joseph; and Benjamin.
Years later, while Jacob was returning with his large family to Canaan, his name
was changed by God to Israel. Israel’s favorite son was Joseph. Through a set of
divinely ordained circumstances, Joseph ended up as the Vizier of Egypt, a position
from which he was able to rescue his family, when they—like the rest of the Middle
East—were beset by famine.
For the next several hundreds of years, this family—divided into 12 tribes—made
its home in Egypt. From there, on the first Passover, God delivered them from slavery
and directed them to begin a 40 year return to Canaan.
As this family—the Israelites—entered the land, their leader allotted each tribe
its own portion:
"So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD
said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to
their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."
Joshua 11:23
The Tribe of Levi, descendants of Jacob’s third son by Leah, did not receive an
allocation, because they were awarded a higher honor: the priesthood. The Tribe
of Joseph received a double allocation because, before his death, Jacob had adopted
Joseph’s twin sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 30:14; 35:22-23; 37:21-22;
37:29; 42:22; 42:37; 46:8-9; 48:5; 49:3 Exodus 1:2; 6:14 Numbers 1:20; 16:1; 26:5
Deuteronomy 11:6; 33:6 Joshua 15:6; 18:7 1 Chronicles 2:1; 5:1; 5:3
Reuben
MEANING OF THE NAME
See, a son!
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled east of the River Jordan between the Arnon and Jabbok Rivers
Reuben, the first-born of Jacob, was his son by Leah. The tribe members were cattle
herders and became known in legend as one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 34:25; 34:30; 35:23;
42:24; 42:36; 43:23; 46:10; 48:5; 49:5 Exodus 1:2; 6:15
Simeon
MEANING OF THE NAME
[God] has heard
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in a desert area in the south that included Beersheba
Simeon, the second son of Jacob, was his son by Leah. Together He and his brother
Levi avenged the rape of their sister Dina, Jacob’s daughter by Leah. The tribe,
unaccountably, declined significantly in size between the two censuses recorded
in Numbers1:2 and Numbers 26:2.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:23; 37:26-27; 37:38;
37:43-44 Exodus 1:2 Numbers 26:19 Deuteronomy 33:7 Ruth 4:12 1 Chronicles 2:4-5;
2:9 Nehemiah 11:24
Judah
MEANING OF THE NAME
Gratitude
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled from north of Jerusalem, southward to the Kesalon and Sorek Rivers
Judah became the dominant tribe of all and occupied a major part of the land. They
had grazing pastures, vineyards and lands to grow grains. David and many of the
prophets were descendants of the tribe as was Jesus. The tribe’s symbol is a lion,
commonly known as the Lion of Judah.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:23; 46:13; 49:14
Exodus 1:3 Deuteronomy 33:18 1 Chronicles
Issachar
MEANING OF THE NAME
Rewarded
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in the eastern end of the Valley of Jezreel
The tribe were religious scholars as suggested by the Book of Chronicles- ...from
Issachar, men who understood the times, and knew what Israel ought to do... Issachar
and Zebulun had a relationship whereby Issachar would study and teach, while Zebulun
would provide financial support, in exchange for a share of Issachar's spiritual
reward.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:23; 46:14; 49:13
Exodus 1:3 Deuteronomy 33:18-19 1 Chronicles 2:1
Zebulun
MEANING OF THE NAME
Dwelling
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in the southwestern part of the Alonim Hills (Lower Galilee) and in part
of the Jezreel Valley
Zebulun was Jacob’s sixth son by Leah. Expert warriors ,they played an important
part in the early history of Israel. In the Song of Deborah, Zebulun is referred
to as having "offered their lives to death in the region of Merom," and praised
because they bravely led the army to battle.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:25; 46:23; 49:16-17
Exodus 1:4 Numbers 26:42 Deuteronomy 33:22 Joshua 19:47 1 Chronicles 2:2
Dan
MEANING OF THE NAME
Judge
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in the southern coastal region near Jaffa, Later on moved to the northeast
corner of the country due to pressure from the Philistines
Dan was Jacob’s first son by Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. The tribe, well known as
seafarers, was the last to receive their territory The most celebrated Danite was
Samson. Ethiopian Jews claim descent from the Tribe of Dan, whose members migrated
south into the Kingdom of Kush, now Ethiopia and Sudan.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:25; 46:24; 49:21
Exodus 1:4 Deuteronomy 33:23 1 Chronicles 2:2; 7:13
Naphtali
MEANING OF THE NAME
Wrestling
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in extensive territory from the Jezreel Valley and the Sea of Galilee to
the northern border
Naftali was Jacob’s second son by Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. Capernaum, an important
town in Jesus’ ministry, lies within the tribe’s area. It extended from the the
Litani River to 12 miles south of the Sea of Galilee. In the Song of Deborah, Naftali
is commended, with Zebulun, for risking their lives in the fight against Sisera.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:26; 46:16; 49:19
Exodus 1:4 Deuteronomy 33:20 1 Sam. 22:5 2 Sam 24:11-18 1 Chronicles 21:9-19; 29:29
2 Chronicles 29:25
Gad
MEANING OF THE NAME
[Both] Troop [and] Good fortune
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled east of the River Jordan
Gad was Jacob’s first son by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. The tribe settled east of
the Jordan River. And was a member of the Northern kingdom until it was conquered
by Assyria in c. 723 BC. From that time, the tribe has been counted among the Ten
Lost Tribes of Israel.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:26 Deuteronomy 33:24
Joshua 17:10-11 Judges 5:17 1 Chronicles 2:2; 7:30; 7:40 Ezekiel 48:34
Asher
MEANING OF THE NAME
Happiness
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in the coastal area of the western Galilee, from Mount Carmel to beyond
the Ladder of Tyre
Asher was Jacob’s second son by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. The tribe’s region had
relatively low temperature and much rainfall, making it some of the most fertile
land in Canaan. Located in rich pasture, wooded hills, and orchards Asher was prosperous,
particularly known for its olive oil.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 41:52; 46:20; 48:1-20;
50:1-23 Numbers 26:28 Deuteronomy 23:17 1 Chronicles 7:20-22
Ephraim
MEANING OF THE NAME
Fruitfulness
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in the central hill area south of Shechem (modern Nablus) and extending
into the coastal plain
One of Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt, and Jacob’s grandson. After their territory
was conquered by the Assyrians, the tribe exiled. Several groups claim descent including
the Samaritans, Persian Jews and the Telugu Jews of India who call themselves Bene
Ephraim, many of whom live in Israel today.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 41:51; 48:1-20; 50:23
Numbers 26:28-34; 32:39-41; 36:1 Deuteronomy 3:13; 33:17 Joshua 13:31; 17:1-3 1
Kings 4:13 1 Chronicles 7:14-17
Menasseh
MEANING OF THE NAME
Forgetting
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in a large area from the coastal plain across the central hill area near
Shechem (modern Nablus) on to the Jordan River Valley with part of the tribe east
of the Jordan River
One of Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt, and Jacob’s grandson. The tribe was divided
by the Jordan River. In 2005, the Mizo Jews of northeast India who call themselves
Bnei Menashe, were recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel as descendants of
the tribe.
For Biblical citations, see: Genesis 35:42-46; 49:27 Exodus
1:3 Deuteronomy 33:12-13 Judges 20:36 1 Chronicles 2:2; 7:6
Benjamin
MEANING OF THE NAME
Son of the south
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Settled in a narrow strip across the Judean Hills from the coastal plain to the
Jordan River Valley at Jericho with Jerusalem just within its border
Benjamin was Jacob and Rachel’s youngest son and, as such, greatly loved by his
father. Rachel died giving birth to him. Saul, the first king of the first centralized
governing body of the Israelites, was from the Tribe of Benjamin. The tribe’s symbol
is a wolf.
"...And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said,
Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love
me." Genesis 29:32
"And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard
that I [was] hated, he hath therefore given me this [son] also: and she called his
name Simeon." Genesis 29:33
"And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD:
therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing." Genesis 29:35
"And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my
husband: and she called his name Issachar." Genesis 30:18
"And Leah said, God hath endued me [with] a good dowry; now will my husband dwell
with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun." Genesis 30:20
"And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given
me a son: therefore called she his name Dan." Genesis 30:6
"And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have
prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali." Genesis 30:8
"And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad." Genesis
30:11
"And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called
his name Asher." Genesis 30:13
"And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make
thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."
Genesis 48:20
"And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land
of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, [are] mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they
shall be mine." Genesis 48:5
"And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called
his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried
in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem." Genesis 35:18-19
"...Y concibió Lea, y dio a luz un hijo, y llamó su nombre Rubén, porque dijo:
Porque vio el SEÑOR mi aflicción; ahora por tanto me amará mi marido." Genesis 29:32
"Y concibió otra vez, y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo:
Por cuanto oyó el SEÑOR que yo era aborrecida, me ha dado también éste. Y llamó su nombre Simeón." Genesis 29:33
"Y concibió otra vez, y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo:
Esta vez alabaré al SEÑOR; por esto llamó su nombre Judá; y dejó de dar a luz." Genesis 29:35
"Y dijo Lea:
Dios me ha dado mi salario, por cuanto di mi sierva a mi marido; por eso llamó su nombre Isacar." Genesis 30:18
"Y dijo Lea:
Dios me ha dado buena dádiva; ahora morará conmigo mi marido, porque le he dado a luz seis hijos; y llamó su nombre Zabulón." Genesis 30:20
"Y dijo Raquel:
Me juzgó Dios, y también oyó mi voz, y me dio un hijo. Por tanto llamó su nombre Dan." Genesis 30:6
"Y dijo Raquel:
Con luchas de Dios he luchado con mi hermana, y he vencido. Y llamó su nombre Neftalí." Genesis 30:8
"Y dijo Lea: Vino la buena ventura. Y llamó su nombre Gad." Genesis
30:11
"Y dijo Lea:
Para hacerme bienaventurada; porque las mujeres me dirán bienaventurada; y llamó su nombre Aser." Genesis 30:13
"Y los bendijo aquel día, diciendo: En ti bendecirá Israel, diciendo:
Póngate Dios como a Efraín y como a Manasés.
Y puso a Efraín delante de Manasés."
Genesis 48:20
"Y ahora tus dos hijos Efraín y Manasés, que te nacieron en la tierra de Egipto,
antes que viniese a ti a la tierra de Egipto, míos son; como Rubén y Simeón, serán míos" Genesis 48:5
"Y aconteció que cuando su alma partía, pues murió, lo llamó Benoni ; pero su padre lo llamó Benjamín .
Murió, pues, Raquel, y fue sepultada en el camino de Efrata, es decir, Belén." Genesis 35:18-19