The Simeonites are the descendants of Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Simeon, whose name means "heard," was one of the twelve patriarchs of Israel, and his descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Simeon is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, playing various roles in the history and development of the Israelite nation.

Ancestry and Early History

Simeon was born to Jacob and Leah, as noted in Genesis 29:33: "And she conceived again, and bore a son, and said, 'Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son also.' So she named him Simeon." The tribe of Simeon is first mentioned in the context of the family of Jacob, who later became known as Israel. The Simeonites, along with the other tribes, descended from Jacob's sons and formed the nation of Israel.

Role in the Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings

During the Exodus from Egypt, the Simeonites were counted among the tribes of Israel. In the first census recorded in Numbers 1:22-23, the tribe of Simeon numbered 59,300 men of fighting age. However, by the time of the second census in Numbers 26:14, their numbers had decreased significantly to 22,200, reflecting a decline in their population during the wilderness wanderings.

The Simeonites were encamped under the standard of the tribe of Reuben, on the south side of the Tabernacle, as described in Numbers 2:12. They were part of the second group to set out during the Israelites' journeys.

Inheritance in the Promised Land

Upon entering the Promised Land, the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah. Joshua 19:1 states, "The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, clan by clan. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah." This arrangement suggests that the Simeonites were somewhat absorbed into the larger and more powerful tribe of Judah, as their allotted land was scattered among Judah's territory.

Historical and Spiritual Significance

The Simeonites played a role in various biblical events. In Genesis 34, Simeon, along with his brother Levi, took vengeance on the city of Shechem for the defilement of their sister Dinah. This act of violence had lasting repercussions, as Jacob later rebuked them for their actions (Genesis 49:5-7).

In the time of the Judges, the Simeonites joined forces with the tribe of Judah to conquer the Canaanites in their allotted territories (Judges 1:3). This cooperation highlights the close relationship between the two tribes.

Prophetic and Eschatological References

Jacob's prophetic blessing over Simeon and Levi in Genesis 49:5-7 foretold the scattering of their descendants in Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled as the Simeonites did not possess a distinct, contiguous territory of their own but were dispersed within Judah.

The Simeonites are not prominently mentioned in later biblical prophecies or eschatological passages, suggesting their integration into the broader Israelite community. However, their legacy as one of the tribes of Israel remains significant in the context of biblical history and the unfolding of God's covenant promises to the nation of Israel.

Conclusion

The Simeonites, as descendants of one of the twelve patriarchs, hold a place in the rich tapestry of Israel's history. Their journey from the early days of the patriarchs, through the Exodus, and into the Promised Land reflects both the challenges and the divine providence experienced by the tribes of Israel.SIMEONITES

sim'-e-on-its.

See SIMEON.

8099. Shimoni -- descendant of Simeon
... descendant of Simeon. Transliteration: Shimoni or Shimoni Phonetic Spelling:
(shim-o-nee') Short Definition: Simeonites. ... tribe of Simeon, Simeonites. ...
/hebrew/8099.htm - 6k

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... The writing of Enoch foretold that the Simeonites should corrupt themselves,
and attempt to injure Levi; but they shall not prevail. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Simeonites (10 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SIMEONITES. sim'-e-on-its. See SIMEON.
Multi-Version Concordance Simeonites (10 Occurrences). ...
/s/simeonites.htm - 9k

Simeonite (3 Occurrences)
... name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman,
was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among the Simeonites...
/s/simeonite.htm - 7k

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... 2. The Tribe in Scripture: In the wilderness of Sinai the Simeonites camped beside
the Reubenites (Numbers 2:12; Numbers 10:19); it was Zimri, a member of one ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Shephatiah (13 Occurrences)
... father of Meshullam, of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:8). (3) A Benjamite, who joined
David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:5). (4) A prince of the Simeonites in the ...
/s/shephatiah.htm - 12k

Maachah (19 Occurrences)
... (8) Father of Hanan, one of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:43). (9) Father
of Shephatiah, ruler of the Simeonites under David (1 Chronicles 27:16). ...
/m/maachah.htm - 16k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... (8) Father of Hanan, one of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:43). (9) Father
of Shephatiah, ruler of the Simeonites under David (1 Chronicles 27:16). ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

Similar (13 Occurrences)

/s/similar.htm - 11k

22200 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 22200 (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:14 These are the families
of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/22200.htm - 6k

Zicri (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was
Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of ...
/z/zicri.htm - 9k

Zerahites (5 Occurrences)
... ze'-ra-hits (ha-zarchi; Codex Vaticanus ho Zarai; Codex Alexandrinus ho Zaraei;
the King James Version Zarhites): (1) A family of Simeonites (Numbers 26:13). ...
/z/zerahites.htm - 8k

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