Twelve Tribes of Israel - Part 1 of 2

Created Date: 20-Nov-2016

There are really 14 spoken of as the Twelve

Last updated: 23-Feb-2021

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Sections

  Part one of this topic    
1 Twelve or Fourteen Tribes? 2 Twelve and Fourteen Significance
3 How does the Scripture handle this nomenclature? 5 Twelve Tribes
4 Two More Tribes Added 6 Listings Occurrences in the Scripture
7 Lost Tribes? "No" 8 144,000 Virgin Men of 12 Tribes
  Part two of this topic    
9 Prophetic information for each Tribe 10 Marching of the Tribes in Numbers
11 Message using the Tribal names in Revelation 7 12 Encampment Around Tent
13 Gates in the New Jerusalem    

This is a wonderful introductory topic into the remarkable scriptural meaning, patterns, and the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The Holy Spirit uses remarkable pointers of the meanings of the Tribes names, their order of references in the scriptures, and so much more. 

In the New Testament, there were twelve primary disciples that later became the initial eleven Apostles where

  1. The disciple Judas Iscariot was replaced by the Apostle Matthias, and
  2. The Apostle Paul was also added

for a total of thirteen Apostles.  The twelve tribes of Israel also had two additions.  Some Biblical Scholars, including this author, will state that the scriptures are replete and consistent in use of patterns, numbers, encryptions, and so much more which is found in the studies on Gematria in the Scriptures. 

Twelve or Fourteen Tribes?

There are fourteen Tribes of Israel listed in scripture, where they are identified and given the scriptural title the Twelve Tribes of Israel. 

After the first twelve sons were born to Jacob, there are two sons of Joseph named Manasseh and Ephraim that were adopted by Jacob.  Joseph is one of Jacob's sons where Jacob's act was elevating Manasseh and Ephraim from grandson status to son status.  The two sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, were born of Joseph in Egypt, where the adoption is read in Genesis 48:5.   

Genesis 48:5 Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.

(Note: Jacob speaks of Joseph's two son in the reverse birth order, which is important because of future history of Ephraim.)

Regarding the use of the title and phrase "The Twelve Tribes" in Scriptures, the title and phrase is always referring collectively to all of the Tribes, but there are many cases when the names of specific Tribes are listed and with omissions of specific other Tribes. 

When using the phrase, the "The Twelve Tribes", notice in Exodus 24:4 where Moses calls the Tribes: "The Twelve Tribes of Israel".  At the time of Moses, the Fourteen Tribes had already existed for 400 years as slaves in Egypt, plus the good years.  Moses knows there are fourteen tribes and speaks prophecies over thirteen of the fourteen tribes before his death with the exception of Simeon. 

Exodus 24:4 And Moses wrote all the words of HaShem, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the mount, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Twelve and Fourteen Significance

In some Biblical commentaries, when dealing with the Tribes of Israel, will sometimes try to emphasize the adoption by giving a synonym type of name of Thirteen tribes or a "baker's dozen - means buy 12 and get one free", because when speaking of the Tribe of Joseph, it means both Manasseh and Ephraim.  Additionally, if speaking about Manasseh and Ephraim, then this means the entire tribe of Joseph.  This author is mentioning this in case the reader comes across this thirteen tribes' analogy.

When potentially using a different analogy for the title of the tribes, it will become confusing in this author's opinion.  Furthermore, Christians should use the scriptural nomenclature, "the Twelve Tribes", as the Holy Spirit directed Moses and other writers in the scriptures to use the title of "the Twelve Tribes". 

For the scriptural student, when looking for more:

with the use of the names of the Tribes, then it is important to recognize there are fourteen Tribes that are correctly called the Twelve Tribes, in our studies for a deeper understanding in this author's opinion.

How does the Scripture handle this nomenclature?

When scripture is referring to the Tribe of Joseph, it will sometimes only mention one or both of the Tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim as being included, which means half of the tribe of Joseph is omitted.  

One of the underlying reasons for God's "Twelve" is the Holy Spirit's use of patterns in numbers throughout the scriptures which are consistent and proving expositional consistency of the harmony of over forty authors, spreading thousands of years who wrote sixty-six books in the Bible.  This is not discussed in this topic.

When reading through this topic, a list of the scriptural references of the Tribes is given where there are times that specific Tribes were omitted which points to something that is important that God wants us to recognize and understand. 

Twelve Tribes

Isaac, who later becomes Israel, has twelve sons born in this order as listed in Genesis 29:32 through Genesis 30:24 and Benjamin in Genesis 35:18.

  Birth Order Hebrew Mother Ensign General Meaning
1 Reuben ראובן Leah Man Made from two words: 1st part is to "see, look" and 2nd part "son, offspring".  Put together "Behold a son" or "Son of Vision" or "Son who's seen"
 verb ראה (ra'a) and בן (ben)
2 Simeon שמע Leah Sword/Ships General meaning it to "Hear" or "Heard" or hear something through word of mouth. 
3 Levi לוי  Leah Breastplate of Judgment Two possible meanings "Weary" or "to be Joined"
4 Judah ידה  Leah Lion Means "praise"
5 Dan דין Bilhah for Rachel Snake then changed to a Eagle In Genesis 30:6 we learn it means "Judge" or "Judging"
6 Naphtali פתל  Bilhah for Rachel Female Deer Means to "twist" or "contort" or "wrestling"
7 Gad גדי Zilpah for Leah Horsemen Possible meaning "Good Fortune" or "Good Luck" or "Harrowing Fortune"
8 Asher אשר  Zilpah for Leah Royal Dainties From Genesis 30:13 the meaning is "Happy"
9 Issachar Ισαχαρ Leah Donkey From Genesis 30:18 the meaning is "There is recompense"
10 Zebulun זבלון Leah Sea/Ships From Genesis 30:20 the meaning appears to be Leah feels exalted because she has given Jacob 6 sons.  Therefore, the meaning is "Exalted"
11 Joseph יוסף Rachel Horns of Unicorns
or Ox
Two meanings "May He (Yahweh) Add" or "He Shall Add"
12 Benjamin בנימין Rachel Wolf Three meanings "Son Of The Right Hand" or "Son Of Strength" or "Son Of The South"

For more on ensigns of the Tribes, see notes from Mazzaroth.

Brief Notes concerning the sons of Jacob.  Jacob was renamed to Israel by God in Genesis 35:10.

Two More Tribes Added

In Genesis 48:5, Israel adopts Joseph's two sons as his own.  The scriptures point to Israel using the choice to give the rights of the First-Born to Joseph because of the actions of all the other brothers.  First-Born is a title and the benefits of the first-born is not always given to a son by the birth order as seen in many examples in the scriptures.  Note: First-Born status does not mean other sons are less loved by a parent or God! 

Genesis 48:5 Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.
Deuteronomy 21:17 but he (Joseph) shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first-born is his.

The two additional tribes added:

  Birth Order Hebrew Mother Ensign General Meaning
13 Manasseh מנשה Asenath - Joseph's wife Vine by the side of a Wall, Olive Branch or Arrows Means to "Forget" which is derived where Joseph said God has caused me to forget the separation and pain caused from his departure into Egypt.
14 Ephraim אפרים Asenath - Joseph's wife Ox A few meanings where most probably "Fruitful" and then potentially "fruitfulness in the land of affliction"

In the beautiful story of God's providence, restoration and redemption of the concerning the life of Joseph who is hated and sold into slavery by his brothers, where they told Israel that Joseph was killed by a wild beast, Joseph ends up being second in charge over all of Egypt.  In Egypt, Joseph's brothers are reunited, forgiven and prospered until the time after Pharaoh's death which then had 400 years of slavery in Egypt.  The reunion of Israel with Joseph, who Israel thought was dead, is when the adoption occurs.

During the period of the Exodus from Egypt, God is instructing Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel is God's First-Born, which is a place of honor and is special.  Pharaoh's kingdom suffers the punishment of death of the first born in Egypt including his own after many other tragic events that befell the Egyptians. 

The Exodus event, regarding First-Born, is one example of many in the Scriptures that show the significance of the First-Born honor which can be given to a son who is not necessarily born first in order.  It is also mentioned because it involved Moses as further endorsement of the accounts of the tribes with their blessings and prophecies that are discussed later in this topic. 

Exodus 4:21-23 21 The Lord said to Moses, When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then say to Pharaoh, This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, Let my son go, so he may worship me. But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.

Listings Occurrences in the Scripture

The birth-order reference number in the 3rd column is the order they were listed in the identified Scripture. 

  Scripture reference Major references of Tribes listed in the order presented and notes Count Tribes omitted
1 Gen 29:32 through Gen 30:24; Gen 35:18. 1 through 12 in Birth Order 12 0
2 Gen 46:8-20 1 through 12 - Jacob moves to Egypt 12 0 - Tribes 13 - Manasseh & 14 - Ephraim referenced in Gen 46:20 but not adopted yet
3 Gen 48:5 13 & 14 - Adoption into the twelve tribes 2 not applicable - 2 new tribes added.
4 Gen 49:3-27 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 9, 5, 7, 8, 6, 11, 12 - Blessings & Prophecy 12 Tribes 13 - Manasseh & 14 - Ephraim
5 Exo 1:2-4 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 5, 6, 7, 8 - Entering Egypt 11 Tribes 11 - Joseph already in Egypt, Grandsons 13 & 14 which were adopted were also already in Egypt.
6 Num 1:5-15 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 13, 12, 5, 8, 7, 6 - Lists two people from the tribes listed who are leaders of the census 13 Tribe 3 Levi
7 Num 1:20 - 43 1, 2, 7, 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 13, 12, 5, 8, 6 13 Tribe 3 - Levi which were exempted
8 Num 2 4, 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 3, 14, 13, 12, 5, 8, 6 - Arrangement of the Camps 13 Tribe 11 - Joseph
9 Num 7 4, 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 14, 13, 12, 5, 8, 6 - dedication offerings for Alter 12 Tribes 3 - Levi and 11 - Joseph
10 Num 10 4, 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 14, 13, 12, 5, 8, 6 - marching order 12 Tribes 3 - Levi and 11 - Joseph
11 Num 13 1, 2, 4, 9, 14, 12, 10, 11, 13, 5, 8, 6, 7 - spies sent into promise land.  Note that Gaddi the son of Susi was sent (represented) both the tribe of Joseph and Manasseh so there were 12 spies. 13 Tribe 3 - Levi
12 Num 26 1, 2, 7, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 12, 5, 8, 6 - census 13 Tribe 3 - Levi
13 Num 34 1, 7, (13), 4, 2, 12, 5, 11, (13), 14, 10, 9, 8, 6 - division of the land 13 Tribe 3 - Levi
14 Deu 27 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 1, 7, 8, 10, 5, 6 - blessings and curses Mount Ebal 12 Tribes 13 - Manasseh and 14 - Ephraim
15 Deu 33 1, 3, 12, 11, 14, 13, 10, 9, 7, 5, 6, 8 12 Tribes 2 - Simeon and 4 - Judah
16 Jos 13 - 22 (13), 1, 7, 11, 14, (13), 4, 12, 2, 10, 9, 8, 6, 5 - Canaan divided among the Tribes 13 Tribe 3- Levi
17 Jud 5 14, 12, 10, 9, 1, 5, 8, 10, 6 - Song of Deborah 9 Tribes 2, 3, 4, 7, 11
18 1 Chr 2:1-2 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 5, 11, 12, 6, 7, 8 - Genealogies 11 Tribes 9 - Issachar, 13 - Manasseh, 14 - Ephraim
19 1 Chr 4-9 8, 2, 1, 11, 7, (13), 3, 4, 10, 9, 12, 6,  13, 14, 8, 12 - Genealogies 13 Tribe 5 - Dan
20 1 Chr 12 12, 7, 4, 13, 2, 3, 14, 9, 10, 6, 8, 10, 6 - David's supporters in Zihlog 13 Tribe 5 - Dan
21 1 Chr 27:16- 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 6, 14, (13), (13), 12, 5 - David's commanders by Tribe 11 Tribe 7- Gad, 8 - Asher, 11 - Joseph
22 Ezk 48:1-30 5, 8, 6, 13, 14, 1, 4, 3, 12, 2, 9, 10, 7 - Kingdom (Land) divisions in the Millennium.  They all will inherit. 13 Tribe 11 of Joseph which is inferred by having Tribes 13 & 14.  Joseph is mentioned in Ezk 48:32
23 Rev 7 4, 1, 7, 8, 6, 13, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11- The 144,000 witnesses, 12,000 from 12 of the Tribes of the 14. 12 Tribe 5 - Dan, 14 - Ephraim
24 Rev 21:12 And having a wall great and high, and having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel 12 Assumption is Joseph which includes Ephraim and Manasseh

Lost Tribes? "No"

There is a legend that there are 10 lost tribes of Israel.  There is an abundance of information that this is not true. 

The belief from the scriptures comes from 2 Kings 17:6-23 where the King of Assyria, Shalmaneser, deported Israelites to various parts of the Kingdom of Assyria after a three-year siege on the capital of the Northern conquered kingdom.  At that time, Israel was divided into a Southern Kingdom and a Northern Kingdom where the Northern was ruled by Hoshea in which 10 of the 14 tribes were located geographically. 

The northern Kingdom had rejected the Southern Kingdom under King Solomon's son Rehoboam.  In the Northern Kingdom idolatry had been setup under Jeroboam in the form of two golden calves or bulls.  The question spoken in Biblical Commentaries is:

 "If you were a believer in Yahweh, do you stay in the north or do you move so that you can continue to go to Jerusalem on the Sabbath, Feast Days and to present offering rather than participate in idolatry in the north?"  

The answer would be move to the Southern Kingdom or often travel to the Southern Kingdom.  There are many Biblical Scholars that have stated this is what happened which is evidenced by other future history, that is written in the scriptures, where people knew what tribe, they belonged.

From the New Testament scriptures listed below, besides Old Testament references which occur after the Northern Kingdom's fall, there is six Tribes specifically listed.  Then in Revelation 12 the twelve tribes are listed of the fourteen tribes which means God knows where they are and they were not lost.   When reading these sixteen examples, there is a number next to the tribe that indicates the tribe numerical identification that was listed above.

  1. When Babylonians took over the Northern Kingdom, all the Tribes were represented in the Southern Kingdom.  Recall that Isaiah was prophesying to Judah, "House of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel.", in Isaiah 48:1.
  2. After the Babylonian captivity, the term Jew and Israelite are used interchangeably.  Ezra uses Jew 8 times and Israel 40 times; Ezra speaks "all Israel" in Ezra 2:70, 3:11; 8:35, 10:25;
  3. In Nehemiah 12:47, Nehemiah speaks of "all Israel" being back in the land.
  4. In Matthew 10:5-6 and 15:24, there are Tribes other than Judah which are mentioned specifically in the land by Jesus speaking to go to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel".
  5. In Matthew 4:13 "and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, with is by the sea, in the region of (10) Zebulun and (6) Naphtali."  Notice there is no scripture stating in the land "formerly settled by".
  6. In Luke 2:26 "And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (8)."
  7. In Acts 2:36 at the feast of Pentecost, Peter cries out "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain the God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified". 
  8. In Acts 4:36 "And Joseph, a Levite (3) .. "
  9. In Acts 26:7 where Paul is speaking to Agrippa: "the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain .."  If they were lost it was news to Paul.
  10. In Romans 11:1, Paul speaking: "I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin (12)."
  11. In Hebrews 8:8 "a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (4)"
  12. In James 1:1, James is a bond servant to Jesus Christ and to the twelve tribes "twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad greetings".  Note James says they are dispersed but not lost and James is sending greeting to them as James expects his writings to reach them.
  13. In Philippians 3:5 ".. eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin (12)."
  14. If specific Tribes moved, did the following generations forget their ancestry / genealogy? With exceptions from specific peoples taken from their homelands into slavery, most people have ideas of themselves being German, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Scottish, Grecian, Ukrainian, Ethiopian, Dutch, Nigerian, Venezuelan, Brazilian, etc.
  15. In Ezekiel 36, 37, there is the Dry Bones vision of Israel re-gathered in the land.
  16. If God names 12,000 from 12 tribes in Revelation chapter 12 then they are not lost in God's viewpoint.

144,000 Virgin Men of 12 tribes in the Book of Revelation

In the Book of Revelation there is a wonderful reference to 144,000 men who will have a special role in the Tribulation Period.  An important point to note is the men are virgin sons and not daughters*, and there are twelve tribes referenced.  The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted from the list. 

Revelation 7:3-8 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh were sealed twelve thousand.Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.Of the tribe of Zebulun were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

The mission of the 144,000 Jewish "Evangelist" Witnesses, is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World.  Many people will be Saved during that period of time.  

All 14 tribes have representatives who make it into the 1,000 year millennium kingdom from the scriptural references in Ezekiel 48 so this means that Dan and Ephraim will have members of their tribes going into that period. 

Regarding the two Tribes not mentioned in the 144,000 Jewish Witnesses.  Biblical Scholars have suggested:

  1. The Tribe of Dan is left out of the protection because of the evidence based on the history of the tribe being the first to let in idolatry along with not participating in military actions when they were expected.
  2. The Tribe of Ephraim led other tribes in the northern part of Israel briefly against King David and then later under Jeroboam they divided the nation into two kingdoms.  Note that the members of the tribe of Ephraim may be actually included because the Tribe of Joseph is mentioned, where the Holy Spirit chose to not name Ephraim as a sort of penalty from the actions in history.

An additional point by this author is to notice that these 144,000 have a mark (a seal) on them.  This author's theory, which I haven't seen anywhere else, is the mark is exactly the same to what Cain had that protected him from harm and also reminded Cain that he was still loved by God where Cain could exercise Faith because of the mark to not be harmed or killed, which was a type of being "sealed" like the 144,000.

* There is and have been a few religious groups that deny and claim many things that are contradictory to the Scriptures.  One of the groups claim that initially all of their members were part of the 144,000 which included men, women, children, married people and definitely not virgins if they were married with children.  This group had no proof of Jewish Tribal Lineage and also could not prove they were there to oppose the Antichrist in the last three and half years of the Tribulation Period.

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