The Twelve Tribes of Israel

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The 12 Tribes of Israel were the family groups descended from the biblical patriarch Jacob.

The tribes are important because God worked through the tribes to fulfill his purposes—especially his purpose of bringing from the tribe of Judah, Jesus the Savior, the Lion of Judah.

In the book of Genesis, we see God blessing and working through a family: Jacob and his 12 sons.

(God renames Jacob as “Israel.”)
Then God works through a nation: Israel—the descendants of Jacob’s sons arranged into 12 tribes.
God brings them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

In the New Testament, we notice God working through a different group of 12: Jesus’ 12 disciples.
They spread the good news of salvation.

In the book of Revelation, we are reminded of a remnant of 144,000 people sealed by God—
12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Breastplate of the High Priest
In the Old Testament, the high priest wore a breastplate made of linen and gold with 12 inlaid, precious stones
inscribed with the names of the tribes.

Exodus 28:15–30 lists the stones right to left, as Hebrew is read right to left. The tribal names inscribed on the stones may have followed the order of how the tribes marched in the wilderness (Num. 2–3).

Instead of Levi and Joseph, the tribes of Joseph’s sons—Manasseh and Ephraim—were represented on the breastplate.

The exact identity and color of some of the stones remain uncertain.

 

Time Line approximate

Abraham is called by God to go to Canaan; God makes a covenant with Abraham that Abraham’s descendants will be “a great nation” (Gen. 12:1–7).

Jacob (Abraham’s grandson)
marries Leah and Rachel; they and
their handmaidens bear 12 sons
(Gen. 29–30).

Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. In Egypt, he rises to prominence (Gen. 37–41).

Famine prompts Jacob’s family to
migrate to Egypt where they are
reunited with Joseph (Gen. 42–46).

Jacob blesses his sons on his deathbed (Gen. 49).
In Egypt: Jacob’s descendants
remain there 430 years, part of
that time in slavery.

Tribe symbols are based on tradition and most reflect Jacob’s blessings in Genesis 49. Bible scholars differ about the dates, meanings of names, and specific tribe locations.

The Exodus: Moses leads the Israelites (Jacob’s
descendants) out of Egypt (Ex. 3–14).*

Tabernacle built at Sinai (Ex. 26).
Tribes camp around tabernacle under their family banners (Num. 2).
First census of Israelite tribes at Sinai (Num. 1–3).
Wilderness Wanderings: Israelites
live in the wilderness for 40 years.

Second census in Moab (Num. 26). Moses blesses
tribes before his death (Deut. 33).

Joshua leads the tribes into
Canaan and divides the land
among the tribes (Josh. 1).

Era of Judges begins*

King Saul unites the
tribes into one kingdom
(1 Sam. 9–11).

Kingdom splits: Southern tribes become Kingdom of Judah; Northern tribes become Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 12).

Assyria conquers Kingdom
of Israel (2 Kings 17).

Babylonia conquers Kingdom of Judah, destroys temple, exiles people to Babylon (2 Kings 25). In exile, distinctions between the tribes become less important. The people become known as Jews.

Persia conquers Babylonia and allows the Jews to return to the land and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chron. 36:23).

 

Reuben

Size: First Census: 46,500. Second Census: 43,730.
Location: The tribe settled outside the Promised Land, east of the Jordan River in
rich pasture lands suitable for their large herds and flocks (Num. 32:1). Included
Mt. Nebo from which Moses viewed the Promised Land.
Jacob’s Blessing: Jacob called his firstborn “my might, the first sign of my
strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.” But Reuben had relations with
Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaiden (Gen. 35:22), so Jacob rebuked him saying that he is
“unstable as water” and he will “no longer excel” (Gen. 49:3–4 nkjv).
Moses’ Blessing: “Let Reuben live and not die, nor his people be few”
(Deut. 33:6).
Notable: Reuben intervened on behalf of Joseph to save him from being killed by
his brothers. Nevertheless, when Reuben returned, he discovered that his brothers
had sold Joseph to slave traders (Gen. 37).
The tribe of Reuben kept their word by helping the other tribes conquer the
Promised Land, though they themselves settled outside the land (Num. 32;
Josh. 1:12–18). Yet at other times, they seemed indecisive and failed to assist in
battle (Judg. 5:15–17)

Simeon

Size: First Census: 59,300. Second Census: 22,200. Between the two censuses—a
span of 40 years—the size of the tribe significantly decreased. Though it’s not
clear why, it’s possible that they suffered more severely than the other tribes from
the plagues recorded in the book of Numbers (See Num. 25).
Location: Enclave of land in Judah, likely with scattered settlements in Judah.
Included Beersheba.
Jacob’s Blessing: Along with his brother Levi, Simeon attacked the people of the
city of Shechem to avenge the assault on his sister Dinah (Gen. 34:24–31). Jacob
rebuked Levi and Simeon saying, “their swords are weapons of violence. Let me
not enter their council ... for they have killed men in their anger.... I will scatter
them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel” (Gen. 49:5–7).
Moses’ Blessing: Moses does not mention the tribe of Simeon.
Notable: When Jacob’s sons went to Egypt to buy food during a famine, Joseph
imprisoned Simeon as a guarantee that Benjamin, their youngest brother, would
be brought to Joseph (Gen. 42–43).
The tribe was known for being shepherds, often migrating in search of
pasturelands for their flocks, possibly a fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy that
Simeon will be scattered and dispersed (1 Chron. 4:24–43).

Levi

Size: First Census: Not counted with the other tribes because they were
caretakers of the tabernacle, not fighting men. They were counted separately
and numbered 22,000. Second Census: 23,000.
Location: Joshua gave them 48 towns throughout the Promised Land in which
to live and serve as ministers of the law among the tribes.
Jacob’s Blessing: Along with his brother Simeon, Levi attacked the people of
the city of Shechem to avenge the assault on his sister Dinah (Gen. 34:24–31).
Jacob rebuked them for the attack (Gen. 49:5–7).
Moses’ Blessing: “Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his
hands” (Deut. 33:11).
Notable: The priests were chosen from the tribe of Levi. Levites who were not
chosen to be priests, however, still participated in caretaking of the tabernacle
(Num. 3:5–10). Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest wore
the breastplate with the precious stones and entered the Most Holy Place of
the tabernacle. He sprinkled a sacrificed animal’s blood on the mercy seat of
the ark of the covenant to atone for the people’s sins (Lev. 16). The Levites
sided with the Southern Kingdom of Judah and migrated to Jerusalem after
the Northern Kingdom engaged in idol worship and rejected the Levites as
priests (2 Chron. 11:13–17). When the Jews returned to the land after exile,
Ezra had to send a special delegation to persuade some of the Levites to
return (Ezra 8:15–36). Moses, Aaron (the first high priest), Miriam, Ezra,
Ezekiel, John the Baptist, and Barnabas were from the tribe of Levi.

Judah

Size: First Census: 74,600. Second Census: 76,500. Largest of the tribes.
Location: Very large allotment of land. Included Jerusalem, Bethlehem,
Hebron, and Gaza.
Jacob’s Blessing: “You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey,
my son. 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 ruler’s staff from
between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of
the nations shall be his” (Gen. 49:9–10).
Moses’ Blessing: “Hear, Lord, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people.
With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!”
(Deut. 33:7).
Notable: Judah convinced his brothers to spare Joseph’s life and sell him to
slave traders for a profit instead of kill him (Gen. 37). Later, Judah unknowingly
had relations with his daughter-in-law Tamar. When it was revealed, he
confessed his wrongdoing (Gen. 38). The tribe of Judah led the other tribes on
their march toward the Promised Land. The tribe camped on the east side of
the tabernacle—the only side with an entrance (Num. 2). Leaders like Caleb,
David, and Zerubbabel were from the tribe of Judah, as were prophets like
Amos, Micah, Isaiah, and Zephaniah.

Dan

Size: First Census: 62,700. Second Census: 64,400.
Location: Small portion of land that included Joppa (Tel Aviv today). The
tribe, however, failed to conquer the Philistines in the land and migrated to the
northernmost part of Canaan (Judg. 18).
Jacob’s Blessing: “Dan will govern his people.... Dan will be a snake beside the road” (Gen. 49:17–18). Moses’ Blessing: “Dan is a lion’s cub, springing out of Bashan” (Deut. 33:22).
Notable: The tribe of Dan is reprimanded in the Song of Deborah for not joining in battle (Judg. 5:17). Samson was from this tribe (Judg. 13:2, 24). King Jeroboam built a pagan temple in Dan (1 Kings 12:29). Amos includes Dan in
his list of idolaters (Amos 8:14).

Naphtali

Size: First Census: 53,400. Second Census: 45,400.
Location: Hill country of Galilee.
Jacob’s Blessing: “Naphtali is a doe let loose; He bears beautiful fawns” (or
“gives beautiful words” Gen. 49:21).
Moses’ Blessing: Naphtali is “full of blessing” (Deut. 33:23).
Notable: In the Song of Deborah, the tribe is praised for its courage (Judg.
5:18). Barak was from Naphtali (Judg. 4:6). The tribe assisted Gideon in battle (Judg. 7:23). They volunteered fighting men to support David against
King Saul (1 Chron. 12). Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Matt. 4:13–22; Isa. 9:1–2).

GAD

Size: First Census: 45,650. Second Census: 40,500.
Location: Fertile land outside the Promised Land, along the Jordan River
(Num. 32).
Jacob’s Blessing: “Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels” (Gen. 49:19). Moses’ Blessing: Gad is commended for carrying “out the Lord’s righteous
will, and his judgments concerning Israel” (Deut. 33:21).
Notable: Gadites who supported David in his conquest of Jerusalem were
described as “brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield
and spear” (1 Chron. 12:8).

ASHER

Size: First Census: 41,500. Second Census: 53,400. The tribe significantly
increased.
Location: Northern coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea.
Jacob’s Blessing: “Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a
king” (Gen. 49:20).
Moses’ Blessing: “Let [Asher] be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe
his feet in oil” (Deut. 33:24).
Notable: Asher is not included in King David’s list of chief rulers, possibly indicating that by the time of David the tribe had lost its significance (1 Chron.
27:16–22). The prophetess Anna, who recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah, was from the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36–38).

Issachar

Size: First Census: 54,400. Second Census: 64,300.
Location: Fertile Jezreel Valley. Included Nazareth.
Jacob’s Blessing: “Issachar is a sturdy donkey.... When he sees how good the countryside is and how pleasant the land, he will bend his shoulder to the load and submit himself to hard labor” (Gen. 49:14–15 nlt).
Moses’ Blessing: Mentioned along with Zebulun as tribes who will “feast on the abundance of the seas, and on the treasures hidden in the sand”
(Deut. 33:18–19).
Notable: Deborah commended the tribe of Issachar for standing with the Israelites in battle (Judg. 5:15). During the time of David, the tribe was known for its wisdom: “men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chron. 12:32).

Zebulun

Size: First Census: 57,400. Second Census: 60,500.
Location: Small portion of southern Galilee.
Jacob’s Blessing: “Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for
ships” (Gen. 49:13).
Moses’ Blessing: Zebulun and Issachar will “feast on the abundance of the seas, and on the treasures hidden in the sand” (Deut. 33:18–19).
Notable: Deborah commended this tribe for risking their lives (Judg. 5:18).
They supported David with “undivided loyalty” (1 Chron. 12:33). When Hezekiah called for spiritual renewal, people from Asher, Manasseh, and
Zebulun humbled themselves and traveled to Jerusalem (2 Chron. 30:10).
Jesus began his ministry in Galilee—the land of Zebulun and Naphtali— fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Matt. 4:13–22; Isa. 9:1–2).

Joseph

Size: Manasseh: First Census: 32,300. Second Census: 52,700. Population
greatly increased.
Ephraim: First Census: 40,500. Second Census: 32,500. Population decreased.
Location: The descendants of Joseph’s two sons became recognized as two tribes and were given territory when they entered the Promised Land.
Manasseh: Two large portions of land east and west of the Jordan River.

The eastern section (Golan Heights and part of Syria today) was outside the Promised Land. Those in the eastern section are referred to in the Bible as the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Ephraim: Small portion of land (part of the West Bank today). Included Bethel where Abraham built an altar (Gen. 12:8) and where God confirmed the
Abrahamic covenant with Jacob (Gen. 28).
Jacob’s Blessing: Joseph is “a fruitful vine” (Gen. 49:22). Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons saying that Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh the firstborn (Gen. 48).

Moses’ Blessing: “May the Lord bless [Joseph’s] land ... with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness” (Deut. 33:13–17).

Notable: Though Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, God raised Joseph to a place of prominence in Egypt. Joseph stored up grain for a coming famine. When his brothers traveled to Egypt to purchase grain during the famine, Joseph was reconciled to them. He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20).

Jeroboam (who led the secession of northern tribes), Joshua, Deborah, and Samuel were from the tribe of Ephraim (Judg. 4; 1 Sam. 1; 1 Kings 12; 1 Chron. 7).

Benjamin

Size: First Census: 35,400. Second Census: 45,600.
Location: Small portion of land just north of Jerusalem, a strategic position in ancient Israel.
Jacob’s Blessing: “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder” (Gen. 49:27).

Moses’ Blessing: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long” (Deut. 33:12).

Notable: In Egypt, Joseph tested his brothers by saying that he would keep Benjamin as his slave. When Judah pleaded with Joseph not to deprive his father of Benjamin, Joseph was moved to reveal his true identity and be reconciled with
his brothers (Gen. 44–45).

In the era of the judges, a civil war nearly obliterated the tribe of Benjamin (Judg. 20).

King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin
(1 Sam. 9:1–2). After Saul’s death, the tribe fought against David for control of the kingdom, but eventually sided with David (2 Sam. 2). Jeremiah, Mordecai, and the apostle Paul were from the tribe of Benjamin (Jer. 1:1; Est. 2:5–6; Phil. 3:5).