The divisions of Israel on lines of kinship, according to descent from the twelve sons of Jacob. These divisions were most pronounced in the period before Saul became king of Israel but were maintained throughout Israel's history.
Origin of the tribes of Israel
Twelve sons of Jacob
Genesis 35:22–26 See also Genesis 29:31–35, Genesis 30:3–13, Genesis 30:17–24, Genesis 35:16–18
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons: The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali. And the sons of Leah’s maidservant Zilpah were Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
Increased in number while living in Egypt
Genesis 46:5–27 See also Exodus 1:1–7
Blessings on the tribes of Israel
Genesis 49:1–28; Deuteronomy 33:1–29
Association of the twelve apostles with the tribes of Israel
Matthew 19:28 See also Matthew 10:1–4 parallels Mark 3:13–19, Luke 6:12–16; Luke 22:28–30; Acts 1:12–26; Revelation 21:12–14
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Other NT references to the tribes of Israel
James 1:1 See also Acts 26:6–7
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
The tribes of Israel in end-time prophecy
Revelation 7:1–8 See also Ezekiel 47:13–14, Ezekiel 48:1–35; Revelation 21:9–14
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, with the seal of the living God. And he called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have placed a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The tribe of Asher
The genealogy of Asher
Genesis 46:17 See also Numbers 26:44–47; 1 Chronicles 7:30–40
The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
The history of Asher
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:40–41, Numbers 10:25–28; Deuteronomy 27:12–13; Joshua 19:24–31; Judges 7:22–23; 2 Chronicles 30:6–11; Luke 2:36–38
The tribe of Benjamin
The genealogy of Benjamin
Genesis 46:21 See also Numbers 26:38–41; 1 Chronicles 7:6–12, 1 Chronicles 8:1–40, 1 Chronicles 9:1–9
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
The history of Benjamin
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:36–37, Numbers 2:18–23; Deuteronomy 27:12; Joshua 18:11–28; 1 Chronicles 12:1–2; Judges 19:1–21:23 the war against Benjamin; 1 Kings 12:21–24 parallel 2 Chronicles 11:1–4; 2 Chronicles 11:5–12; Ezra 1:5
The tribe of Dan
The genealogy of Dan
These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: The Shuhamite clan from Shuham. These were the clans of Dan. All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered . . . 64,400.
The history of Dan
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:38–39, Numbers 2:25, Numbers 10:25; Deuteronomy 27:12–13; Joshua 19:40–47; Judges 18:1–31
The tribe of Ephraim
The tribe of Ephraim was descended from Joseph's younger son
Joshua 14:4 See also Genesis 48:1–20
The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.
The genealogy of Ephraim
Numbers 26:35–37 See also 1 Chronicles 7:20–29
These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan. And the descendants of Shuthelah were the Eranite clan from Eran. These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered . . . 32,500. These clans were the descendants of Joseph.
The history of Ephraim
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:32–33, Numbers 2:18; Joshua 16:1–10, Joshua 17:14–18; Judges 1:29, Judges 7:22–8:3; Judges 12:1–6 the war against Ephraim
Later prophecies against Ephraim
The tribe of Gad
The genealogy of Gad
Genesis 46:16 See also Numbers 26:15–18
The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
The history of Gad
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:24–25, Numbers 2:10–14; Numbers 32:28–36; Deuteronomy 3:12–17, Deuteronomy 29:7–8; Joshua 13:24–28; Joshua 1:12–18, Joshua 4:10–13, Joshua 22:1–34; 1 Chronicles 5:18–22; 1 Chronicles 5:25–26, 1 Chronicles 12:37
The tribe of Issachar
The genealogy of Issachar
Genesis 46:13 See also Numbers 26:23–25; 1 Chronicles 7:1–5
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.
The history of Issachar
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:28–29, Numbers 2:3–6; Deuteronomy 27:12; Joshua 19:17–23; Judges 10:1; 1 Chronicles 12:38–40; 2 Chronicles 30:10–20
The tribe of Judah
The genealogy of Judah
Numbers 26:19–22 See also Genesis 46:8–12; 1 Chronicles 2:1–4:23
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan. These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah. And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered . . . 76,500.
The tribe of Judah in the wilderness
Numbers 1:26–27 See also Numbers 2:3–4, Numbers 13:1–6, Numbers 34:16–19; Deuteronomy 27:11–12, Deuteronomy 33:7
From the sons of Judah, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, those registered to the tribe of Judah numbered 74,600.
Judah was prominent among the tribes
Genesis 49:8–12 See also Numbers 2:1–9, Numbers 7:10–17, Numbers 10:11–14; Judges 1:1–20
Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.
The territory of the tribe of Judah
Joshua 18:5 See also Joshua 11:21, Joshua 15:1–63 the extent of the allotment for Judah; Joshua 20:1–7 cities of refuge in JudahJoshua 21:1–4, Joshua 21:9–16 1 Samuel 17:1, 1 Samuel 22:3–5, 1 Samuel 23:21–23, 1 Samuel 27:8–10, 1 Samuel 30:11–16; 2 Samuel 2:1, 2 Samuel 24:5–7
and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north.
Early evidence of the distinction between Judah and the other tribes
2 Samuel 24:9 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:5 See also 1 Samuel 11:8, 1 Samuel 17:52, 1 Samuel 18:162SA 1 Samuel 2:8–11, 2 Samuel 3:9–10, 2 Samuel 5:5 2 Samuel 11:11, 2 Samuel 12:8, 2 Samuel 19:40–20:2 Judah remained loyal to David when Israel rebelled; 2 Samuel 21:2, 2 Samuel 24:11KI 2 Samuel 1:35, 1 Kings 4:20, 1 Kings 4:25
And Joab reported to the king the total number of the troops. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000.
The separation of Judah from the northern tribes
1 Kings 12:1–24 parallel 2 Chronicles 10:1–11:4
The continuing tribal identity of Judah
2 Chronicles 19:8–11 See also 2 Kings 17:18–20; Psalm 78:67–68; Ezekiel 37:15–28, Ezekiel 48:1–8, Ezekiel 48:30–31; Revelation 7:1–8
Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities— whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances— you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!”
The tribe of Levi
The genealogy of Levi
Exodus 6:16–25; Numbers 3:17–20, Numbers 26:57–62
The tribe of Levi is set apart to God
Exodus 32:25–29 Their loyalty to the LORD set them apart.; Numbers 1:47–53, Numbers 3:38
They were claimed by God as a substitute for the firstborn males of Israel
Numbers 3:11–13 See also Numbers 3:40–45, Numbers 8:15–18
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me, for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”
The tribe of Levi received no allotment of land
Deuteronomy 18:1–2 See also Numbers 18:23; Joshua 13:32–33, Joshua 14:3–4
The Levitical priests — indeed the whole tribe of Levi — shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.
The tribe of Levi lived in designated towns
Numbers 35:1–8 See also Leviticus 25:32–34; Joshua 21:1–42 parallel 1 Chronicles 6:54–80
Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. You are also to measure two thousand cubits outside the city on the east, two thousand on the south, two thousand on the west, and two thousand on the north, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as larger pasturelands for the cities. Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities. The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.”
Tithes and offerings given by the rest of Israel supported the tribe of Levi
Numbers 18:21–24 See also Deuteronomy 14:22–29; Nehemiah 10:37–38, Nehemiah 13:4–13
Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”
Moses blesses the tribe of Levi
The tribe of Levi in the period of the monarchy
1 Chronicles 12:26–28 Their fighting men join David at Hebron; 1 Chronicles 23:2–24 David divides them into three groups and organises their responsibilities; 1 Chronicles 27:16–17 David sets an army officer over them.
The tribe of Manasseh
The tribe of Manasseh was descended from Joseph's older son
Joshua 14:4 See also Genesis 48:3–20; Numbers 26:28–37; 1 Chronicles 7:14–19
The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.
Manasseh in the wilderness
Numbers 1:34–35 See also Numbers 2:18–21, Numbers 27:1–11, Numbers 36:1–12
And from the sons of Manasseh, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, those registered to the tribe of Manasseh numbered 32,200.
The division of Manasseh into two
The half-tribe of Manasseh was allocated territory in Gilead: Numbers 32:33, Numbers 32:39–42; Deuteronomy 3:13–15, Deuteronomy 29:7–8; Joshua 12:4–6, Joshua 13:29–31; 1 Chronicles 5:23; Joshua 13:6–7, Joshua 16:1–4, Joshua 17:1–13; Judges 1:27; Joshua 22:1–34 the threat of war against the half-tribe of Manasseh and the other Transjordan tribes
Manasseh in the period of the judges
Judges 7:23 See also Judges 6:11–16, Judges 6:33–35, Judges 11:1–11, Judges 12:1–7
Then the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites.
Manasseh under the monarchy
1 Chronicles 5:26 See also 1 Chronicles 12:19–20, 1 Chronicles 26:32; 2 Chronicles 15:9, 2 Chronicles 30:1–20, 2 Chronicles 34:8–9
So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria) to take the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. And he brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day.
The tribe of Naphtali
The genealogy of Naphtali
Genesis 46:24 See also Numbers 26:48–50
The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
The history of Naphtali
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:42–43, Numbers 2:25–30; Deuteronomy 27:12–13; Judges 1:33, Judges 4:4–10, Judges 6:33–35; 2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chronicles 12:38–40; 2 Chronicles 34:1–7
The territory of Naphtali
Isaiah 9:1 See also Joshua 19:32–39; Matthew 4:13–16
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
The tribe of Reuben
The genealogy of Reuben
Numbers 26:5–7 See also Genesis 46:8–9; Exodus 6:14; 1 Chronicles 5:1–10
Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu, the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730.
The history of Reuben
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:20–21, Numbers 2:10–16, Numbers 16:1–3; Numbers 32:1–38; Deuteronomy 3:12–17, Deuteronomy 29:7–8; Joshua 13:15–23; Joshua 1:12–18, Joshua 4:10–13, Joshua 22:1–34; 1 Chronicles 5:18–22; 1 Chronicles 5:25–26, 1 Chronicles 11:42, 1 Chronicles 12:37, 1 Chronicles 26:32, 1 Chronicles 27:16
The tribe of Simeon
The genealogy of Simeon
Exodus 6:15 See also Genesis 46:10; Numbers 26:12–14; 1 Chronicles 4:24–37
The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.
The history of Simeon
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:22–23, Numbers 2:10–16; Joshua 19:1–9; 1 Chronicles 4:38–43, 1 Chronicles 12:23–25; 2 Chronicles 15:9, 2 Chronicles 34:1–7
The tribe of Zebulun
The genealogy of Zebulun
Genesis 46:14 See also Numbers 26:26–27
The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.
The history of Zebulun
In the wilderness: Numbers 1:30–31, Numbers 2:3–9; Deuteronomy 27:12–13; Judges 1:30, Judges 4:6, Judges 4:9–10, Judges 5:13–14, Judges 5:18, Judges 6:33–35, Judges 12:11–12; 1 Chronicles 12:33, 1 Chronicles 12:40; 2 Chronicles 30:10–20
The territory of Zebulun
Isaiah 9:1 See also Joshua 19:10–16; Matthew 4:12–16
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.