Topical Encyclopedia The Tribes of Israel, originating from the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel, form a foundational aspect of biblical history and theology. These tribes are central to the narrative of the Old Testament, representing the chosen people of God and playing a significant role in the unfolding of His divine plan. Each tribe is further divided into families, which are often referred to as clans or houses, reflecting the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society.Reuben Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob and Leah, is the progenitor of the tribe of Reuben. The tribe is noted for its initial prominence, though it later diminished in influence. The families within the tribe of Reuben are listed in Numbers 26:5-7, which states, "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." Simeon Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah, fathered the tribe of Simeon. The tribe's families are detailed in Numbers 26:12-14: "These were the descendants of Simeon: the Nemuelite clan from Nemuel, the Jaminite clan from Jamin, the Jakinite clan from Jakin, the Zoharite clan from Zohar, and the Shaulite clan from Shaul." Levi Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah, is unique among the tribes as it was set apart for religious duties. The Levites were divided into families based on the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Numbers 3:17-20 outlines these divisions: "These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari." Judah Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, is the forefather of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended. The families of Judah are mentioned in Numbers 26:20-21: "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." Dan Dan, the son of Jacob and Bilhah, is the ancestor of the tribe of Dan. Numbers 26:42 records the family of Dan: "These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: the Shuhamite clan from Shuham." Naphtali Naphtali, the second son of Jacob and Bilhah, fathered the tribe of Naphtali. The families within this tribe are listed in Numbers 26:48-49: "These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: the Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni, the Jezerite clan from Jezer, and the Shillemite clan from Shillem." Gad Gad, the son of Jacob and Zilpah, is the progenitor of the tribe of Gad. Numbers 26:15-18 details the families: "These were the descendants of Gad by their clans: the Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni, the Oznite clan from Ozni, the Erite clan from Eri, the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli." Asher Asher, the second son of Jacob and Zilpah, fathered the tribe of Asher. The families are recorded in Numbers 26:44-47: "These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: the Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, the Beriite clan from Beriah." Issachar Issachar, the son of Jacob and Leah, is the ancestor of the tribe of Issachar. Numbers 26:23-25 lists the families: "These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans: the Tolaite clan from Tola, the Puite clan from Puah, the Jashubite clan from Jashub, and the Shimronite clan from Shimron." Zebulun Zebulun, the son of Jacob and Leah, fathered the tribe of Zebulun. The families are mentioned in Numbers 26:26-27: "These were the descendants of Zebulun by their clans: the Seredite clan from Sered, the Elonite clan from Elon, and the Jahleelite clan from Jahleel." Joseph Joseph, the favored son of Jacob and Rachel, is represented by two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh, named after his two sons. The division of Joseph into two tribes is a unique aspect of Israel's tribal structure. · Ephraim: Numbers 26:35-37 lists the families: "These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: the Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Bekerite clan from Beker, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan." · Manasseh: Numbers 26:28-34 details the families: "These were the descendants of Manasseh by their clans: the Makirite clan from Makir, the Gileadite clan from Gilead." Benjamin Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, is the progenitor of the tribe of Benjamin. The families are recorded in Numbers 26:38-41: "These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: the Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham." The division of the tribes into families underscores the importance of lineage and heritage in Israelite culture. Each family within a tribe maintained its own identity and contributed to the collective identity of the tribe as a whole. This structure played a crucial role in the social, religious, and political life of ancient Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 1:2Take you the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 26:5-50 Joshua 7:14 Library The Divided Kingdom. The Israelites How Samuel Found a Leader Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies. The Twelve and the Seventy. The Historical Books. The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ... The Pentateuch. The Early Training of a Race. Chapter xii Resources Why was the altar in Joshua 22:10 34 such a big deal? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to live on the east of the Jordan? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the tribe of Gad? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Tribes of Israel were Twelve in Number The Tribes of Israel: All Inheritance to Remain in the Tribe and Family to Which The Tribes of Israel: Canaan Divided Amongst Nine and a Half of, by Lot The Tribes of Israel: Canaan to be Divided Amongst According to Their Numbers The Tribes of Israel: Descended from Jacob's Sons The Tribes of Israel: Divided Into Four Divisions While in the Wilderness The Tribes of Israel: Divided on Mounts Ebal and Gerizim to Hear the Law The Tribes of Israel: Each Family of, had a Chief or Head The Tribes of Israel: Each of Divided Into Families The Tribes of Israel: Each of Under a President or Chief The Tribes of Israel: Each of Usually Furnished an Equal Number of Men for War The Tribes of Israel: Encamped in Their Divisions and by Their Standards Round The The Tribes of Israel: Manasseh and Ephraim Numbered Among, Instead of Joseph The Tribes of Israel: Names of, Engraven on the Breastplate of the High Priest The Tribes of Israel: Predictions Respecting Each of The Tribes of Israel: Remained As One People Until the Reign of Rehoboam The Tribes of Israel: Reuben, Gad and Half Manasseh were Required to Assist in Subduing Canaan The Tribes of Israel: Reuben, Gad and Half Manasseh: Settled on East Side of Jordan The Tribes of Israel: Situation of, and Bounds of the Inheritance of Each The Tribes of Israel: Total Strength of, on Entering the Land of Canaan The Tribes of Israel: Total Strength of, on Leaving Egypt Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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