Lexical Summary phulé: Tribe Original Word: φυλή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance kindred, tribe. From phuo (compare phullon); an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan -- kindred, tribe. see GREEK phuo see GREEK phullon HELPS Word-studies 5443 phylḗ (from 5453 /phýō, "to generate") – a tribe (race, lineage); the descendants of a common ancestor, like the progeny springing from Jacob (Israel). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phuó Definition a clan or tribe NASB Translation tribe (23), tribes (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5443: φυλήφυλή, φυλῆς, ἡ (from φύω), from Pindar and Herodotus down; 1. a tribe; in the N. T. all the persons descended from one of the twelve sons of the patriarch Jacob (the Sept. for מַטֵּה and שֵׁבֶט; also for מִשְׁפָּחָה, see πατριά, 2): Hebrews 7:13f; with the addition of the genitives Ασηρ, Βενιαμίν, etc., Luke 2:36; Acts 13:21; Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 7:5-8; δώδεκα φυλάς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; James 1:1; Revelation 21:12; (πᾶσα φυλή υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ, Revelation 7:4). 2. a race, nation, people: Matthew 24:30; Rev. ( Strong’s Greek 5443, phylē, appears thirty-one times in the New Testament and almost always denotes a “tribe,” particularly the ancestral groupings of Israel, while also extending to the larger human family of “every tribe” worldwide. Rooted in Covenant History: The Twelve Tribes of Israel Phylē carries the memory of Genesis, where Jacob’s twelve sons became the twelve tribes. Their identity shaped Israel’s land allotments, worship rhythms, and prophetic expectations. New Testament writers assume this history; for example, Luke notes that Anna was “of the tribe of Asher” (Luke 2:36), linking the Gospel narrative to enduring covenant promises. Tribal Identity in the Life and Ministry of Jesus Hebrews highlights Messiah’s legal lineage: “It is evident that our Lord descended from Judah” (Hebrews 7:14). Revelation celebrates the same truth: “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). Jesus’ promise to the apostles underscores the continuing relevance of Israel’s tribal constitution: “you… will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Apostolic Testimony and Jewish Heritage Paul twice invokes phylē to affirm God’s fidelity to Israel and his own credentials: “from the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5). By doing so he argues that divine grace has not annulled Israel’s tribal distinctions but has fulfilled them in Christ. Diaspora and Pastoral Address James greets “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1:1). Phylē here unites dispersed Jewish believers under one messianic hope, illustrating how tribal language can serve pastoral ends, reminding exiles of their spiritual homeland. Universal Gospel Mission: Every Tribe, Language, People, and Nation Revelation widens phylē beyond Israel: the Lamb “purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9; cf. 7:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6). The word becomes a marker of global inclusivity, announcing that the Abrahamic promise has erupted onto the world stage. Eschatological Fulfillment and Judgment Jesus foretells that “all the tribes of the earth will mourn” at His return (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). Tribes—whether of Israel or the nations—stand accountable to the enthroned Son of Man. Phylē thus frames both salvation and judgment in eschatological perspective. The Sealing of Israel and the Great Multitude Revelation 7:4-8 lists twelve thousand sealed “from every tribe of the sons of Israel,” naming each tribe individually. The immediate sequel reveals “a great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” (7:9). The juxtaposition affirms God’s covenant loyalty to Israel while celebrating a redeemed humanity. The New Jerusalem and the Everlasting Memorial The consummation scene includes “twelve angels, and names written on the gates, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 21:12). Tribal names are etched into the architecture of eternity, signifying the permanence of God’s historical dealings. Theological Reflections 1. Continuity: Phylē shows that the New Testament does not discard Israel’s account but carries it into the new covenant. Practical Ministry Applications • Encourage believers from every background that their cultural identity, like Israel’s tribal identity, can be redeemed for God’s glory. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 19:28 N-AFPGRK: τὰς δώδεκα φυλὰς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ NAS: judging the twelve tribes of Israel. KJV: judging the twelve tribes of Israel. INT: the twelve tribes of Israel Matthew 24:30 N-NFP Luke 2:36 N-GFS Luke 22:30 N-AFP Acts 13:21 N-GFS Romans 11:1 N-GFS Philippians 3:5 N-GFS Hebrews 7:13 N-GFS Hebrews 7:14 N-AFS James 1:1 N-DFP Revelation 1:7 N-NFP Revelation 5:5 N-GFS Revelation 5:9 N-GFS Revelation 7:4 N-GFS Revelation 7:5 N-GFS Revelation 7:5 N-GFS Revelation 7:5 N-GFS Revelation 7:6 N-GFS Revelation 7:6 N-GFS Revelation 7:6 N-GFS Revelation 7:7 N-GFS Revelation 7:7 N-GFS Revelation 7:7 N-GFS Revelation 7:8 N-GFS Revelation 7:8 N-GFS Strong's Greek 5443 |
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