(Note this image is often seen in many Biblical Commentaries, even Sir Isaac Newton's commentaries.)
| Twelve Tribes of Israel - Part 2 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
There are primarily two places that contain prophecies concerning the Tribes. The first is Genesis 49 which were by Jacob who is Israel. The second is in Deuteronomy 33 by Moses.
| Tribe | Prophecy By | Scriptures | The Prophecy | |
| 1 | Reuben | Jacob (Israel) | Gen 49:3 | Gen 49 (3) Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: (4) Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch |
| Moses | Deut 33:6 | May Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few. | ||
| 2 | Simeon | Jacob | Gen 49:5-7 | 5 "Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. 6 "Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. 7 "Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel. |
| Moses | not mentioned | |||
| 3 | Levi | Jacob | Gen 49:5-7 | 5 "Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. 6 "Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. 7 "Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel. |
| Moses | Deut 33:8-11 |
Verse 8: Thunmin and Urim.
See this link. Perhaps two sticks or two rocks with colors on the
sides which were used for determining the direction God wanted them to
take. They were perhaps cast down and colors meant possibly a curse or
blessing if Israel proceeded. This is also mentioned in Exodus 28:30 and
Ezra 2:63 9 He said of his father and mother, ‘I have no regard for them.’ He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant. 10 He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel. He offers incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. |
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| 4 | Judah | Jacob | Gen 49:8-13 |
8 Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall
praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s
children shall bow down before you. 9
Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you
have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who
shall rouse him? 10
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a
lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be
the obedience of the people. 11
Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey’s
colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes
in the blood of grapes. 12
His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter
than milk. See the topic on Scepter of Judah will not depart until Shiloh comes for more information. |
| Moses | Deut 33:7 | Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people. With his hands he contended for them, And may You be a help against his adversaries. | ||
| 5 | Zebulun | Jacob | Gen 49:13 | Zebulun will dwell at the seashore; And he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon. |
| Moses | Deut 33:18-19 | 18 Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth, And, Issachar, in your tents. 19 They will call peoples to the mountain; There they will offer righteous sacrifices; For they will draw out the abundance of the seas, And the hidden treasures of the sand. | ||
| Other | Isaiah 9:1 | Birth and Reign of the Prince of Peace "But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles" | ||
| 6 | Dan | Jacob | Gen 49:16-17 | Dan shall judge his people, as one of the Tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. First of the Tribes to fall into idolatry in 931 B.C. as seen in Judges 18:30 which can be said is causing Israel to fall backwards. Dan means "judge" but it can be said that the Tribe chose treachery like a snake by the roadside. King Jeroboam put the golden calf for pagan worship in the area of Dan. |
| Moses | Deut 33:22 | And of Dan he said, "Dan is a lion's whelp, that leaps forth from Bashan." Appears in the negative as comparing the Tribe as a lion surprising his prey. Bashan is in opposition to God's hill. In Psalm 22:12, it has parallel means which points to the Cross and is referring to the Spirit realm of Satanic forces coming against Jesus Christ on the Cross. Bashan is one of the areas that Joshua failed to conquer. | ||
| 7 | Gad | Jacob | Gen 49:19 | As for Gad, "raiders shall raid him, But he shall raid at their heels". States that Gad will experience raids but Gad will attack afterwards. Remember that Gad means good fortune and luck. The Tribe were fierce warriors and very strong along with being swift. See 1 Chr 12:8, 1 Chr 5:18-22. |
| Moses | Deut 33:20-21 | 20 About Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad’s domain! Gad lives there like a lion, tearing at arm or head. 21 He chose the best land for himself; the leader’s portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the Lord’s righteous will, and his judgments concerning Israel.” This Tribe would have good fortune and luck. The Tribe was fierce and warlike, men of might and ready for battle. Their faces were like lions. (1 Chr 12:8 5-19-22) Elijah was from this Tribe (1 Kings 17:11) | ||
| 8 | Asher | Jacob | Gen 49:20 | Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king. The were productive, had rich food, good workmen and provide materials for King David. Kept Passover under Hezekiah when others did not. |
| Moses | Deut 33:24 | 24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil. 25 The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days. Moses is echoing is similar to Jacob's prophecies. | ||
| 9 | Issachar | Jacob | Gen 49:14 | "14 Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens. 15 When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor." From the commentary of Chuck Missler: "The word hòamor gerem, literally, bony ass, designates a powerful beast of burden that submits himself to the galling yoke without complaint in order that he may be free to lie quietly in ease and comfort. Issachar, located in the fertile broad pleasant plain of Esdraelon, was often subject to invading armies. Jacob was predicting that the Tribe of Issachar would submit to the Canaanite invader, who would fasten the yoke upon them. Instead of fighting, the men of this Tribe would submissively allow themselves to become slaves of the peoples of the land. They would prefer shame and slavery to courageous action." |
| Moses | Deut 33:18-19 | 18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; And, Issachar, in thy tents. 19 They shall call the peoples unto the mountain; There shall they offer sacrifices of righteousness: For they shall suck the abundance of the seas, And the hidden treasures of the sand. | ||
| 10 | Naphtali | Jacob | Gen 49:21 | Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns. |
| Moses | Deut 33:23 | About Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the Lord and is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake.” | ||
| 11 | Joseph | Jacob | Gen 49:22-26 |
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine
near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23
With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at
him with hostility. 24 But his bow remained
steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25 because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. 26 Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers. |
| Moses | Deut 33:13-17 |
13 About Joseph he said: “May the Lord bless his
land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below; 14 with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield; 15 with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills; 16 with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers. 17 In majesty he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.” |
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| 12 | Benjamin | Jacob | Gen 49:27 | "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at night he shall divide the spoil." Many commentaries describe this prophecy as conveying fierce cruelty. Saul was a Benjamite. Heroes are Ehud, Queen Esther and the apostle Paul. The Tribe had a reputation for bravery. |
| Moses | Deut 33:12 | "Of Benjamin he said, The beloved of Jehovah shall dwell in safety by him; He covereth him all the day long, And he dwelleth between his shoulders." Refers to the Tribe's great strength. See Judges 19:16; 2 Sam 15-16; 1 Chr 8:40; 1 Chr 12:2; 2 Chr 17:17. | ||
| 13 | Manasseh | Jacob | not mentioned | |
| Moses | Deut 33:17 | As Moses is making his blessing on Joseph, he includes Ephraim and Manasseh: "The firstling of his herd, majesty is his; And his horns are the horns of the wild-ox: With them he shall push the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth: And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And they are the thousands of Manasseh." The Tribe is included in the blessings given to the Tribe of Joseph but Manasseh is second to Ephraim. | ||
| 14 | Ephraim | Jacob | not mentioned | |
| Moses | Deut 33:17 | As Moses is making his blessing on Joseph, he includes Ephraim and Manasseh: "The firstling of his herd, majesty is his; And his horns are the horns of the wild-ox: With them he shall push the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth: And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And they are the thousands of Manasseh." The Tribe is included in the blessings given to the Tribe of Joseph but Ephraim is superior to Manasseh. Notice "ten thousands vs. Manasseh's thousands. Later on, during the time of the Northern Kingdom, Ephraim is used as synecdoche of the Northern Kingdom. |
In Numbers 2, Israel is given instructions to camp based on the Tribes. Each Tribe was given a specific location. When you take the numbers of men and take any spacing you want to assume on each man, the absolute point still remained for the tents and placement to be exactly east, west, north or south. In other words, if a tribe had more tents, then the tribe always had to be precisely south, east, west or north of the Tribe of Levi. The Tribes and their numbers are listed below. The following is a graphic showing them positioned based on the instructions which appears to be a cross which many commentaries, like Isaac Newton, believe is the reason why we have the scriptural reference, along with the reason why God instructed the Tribes to position themselves precisely.
The question is "why is the Cross pointing west and on its side?", where the significance is not known by Biblical Scholars. The mere fact that the camp is set out in this pattern definitely appears to be "pointing" to the future Cross of Jesus Christ. A theory is the camp, shaped in the sign of the Cross, is pointing geographically towards the future Jerusalem which had not been established yet. Additionally, Hebrew is read right to left which is going west so there could be relevance also based on that also. On a separate topic, there are many encryptions in the Scriptures where by the skipping of letters, which makes words and sentences, point to events and places that authenticate/prove the Bible, so the theory is most likely relevant on the Cross pointing that this writer has not found yet.
Note that there is 12 of the 14 tribes listed here. Levi is in the center as instructed in Numbers 2:17. Joseph is missing but his two sons, highlighted in yellow, are listed which means you get Joseph because Ephraim and Manasseh together are the Tribe of Joseph.
| Numbers 2:17 | "Then the tent of meeting shall set out with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; just as they camp, so they shall set out, every man in his place by their standards. ... |
| Location | Tribe | Men | Total | Ensign | A Scriptural tie to Ensign besides Rev 4:7 that was identified to the Tribe | Surrounding Throne of God | 4 Synoptic Gospels |
| East Side | Judah | 74,600 | Lion | Gen 49: 9 - "Like a lion" | Revelation 4:7 | Matthew - Lion of the tribe of Judah | |
| Issachar | 54,400 | Donkey | Gen 49:14-15 | ||||
| Zebulun | 57,400 | 186,400 | Sea/Ships | Gen 49:13 | |||
| South Side | Reuben | 46,500 | Man | Gen 49:4 - "man of strength" | Revelation 4:7 | Mark, the suffering servant | |
| Simeon | 59,300 | Sword/Ships | Gen 49:5-7; Gen 23:18 | ||||
| Gad | 45,650 | 151,450 | Horsemen | Gen 49:19 | |||
| West Side | Ephraim | 40,500 | Ox | Deu 33:17 - Joseph's sons | Revelation 4:7 | Luke, the divine nature | |
| Manasseh | 32,200 | Olive Branch or Arrows | |||||
| Benjamin | 35,400 | 108,100 | Wolf | Gen 49:27 | |||
| North Side | Dan | 62,700 | Snake then Eagle | Gen 4:17 - 1st a Serpent then Eagle | Revelation 4:7 | John the heavenly nature | |
| Asher | 41,500 | Royal Dainties | Gen 49:20 | ||||
| Naphtali | 53,400 | 157,600 | Female Deer | Gen 49:21 |
Notice the Ensign of the primary Tribes in the grouping match those found in Revelation 4:6-8 " 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle." Also, this is what is in Ezekiel 1:10.
(Note this image is often seen in many Biblical Commentaries, even Sir Isaac
Newton's commentaries.)
In Revelation 7:5-8, the tribes are listed in the order below where the meaning of the names gives a message to Israel at the time of the Great Tribulation. In the Tribulation Period, the purpose is for Israel to recognize their Messiah that they rejected and cut off.
| Hosea 5:15 | I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me. This is a beautiful Scripture describing the 2nd Coming for Israel to recognize their Son whom they Pierced. |
| Matthew 23:37 - 39 | 37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 38 "Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" |
A message tucked away in the lineage of the Tribes by the Holy Spirit:
| Tribe | Tribe's name meaning to build a sentence |
| Judah | Praise the Lord, |
| Reuben | He has looked on my affliction (and) |
| Gad | granted good fortune. |
| Asher | Happy am I, |
| Naphtali | my wrestling |
| Manasseh | has made me forget my sorrow. |
| Simeon | God hears me; |
| Levi | has joined me, |
| Issachar | purchased me, (and) |
| Zebulon | exalted me (by) |
| Joseph | adding to me |
| Benjamin | the Son of His right hand. |
This type of message is often seen in many places in the entirety of the scriptures through the multitude of Bible Codes. Another beautiful example is lineage of Adam containing the Gospel message.
Notice that Dan and Ephraim are left out in Revelation 7 as mentioned earlier in this article. Also, we know from many scriptural references that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father with a thrown to the right of God the Father.
| Romans 8:34 | Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. |
According to Numbers 2:2-32, the Israelites were to have a specific order and location when they camped and stayed in any location. The interesting point to notice is the Tribe of Joseph is not named but the two sons of the Tribe of Manasseh and Tribe of Ephraim are named, so this does include the Tribe of Joseph.
| Numbers 2:3-9 East Side |
3 And those that encamp on the east side toward the sunrising shall be they of the standard of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Judah shall be Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 5 And those that encamp next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and the prince of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar. 6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 7 And the tribe of Zebulun: and the prince of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon. 8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 9 All that were numbered of the camp of Judah were a hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, according to their hosts. They shall set forth first. |
| Numbers 2:10-16 South Side |
10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur. 11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 12 And those that encamp next unto him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the prince of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 14 And the tribe of Gad: and the prince of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 16 All that were numbered of the camp of Reuben were a hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, according to their hosts. And they shall set forth second. |
| Numbers 2:17 Center Camp |
17 Then the tent of meeting shall set forward, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place, by their standards. |
| Numbers 2:18-24 West Side |
18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 20 And next unto him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 21 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 22 And the tribe of Benjamin: and the prince of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were a hundred thousand and eight thousand and a hundred, according to their hosts. And they shall set forth third. |
| Numbers 2:25-31 North Side |
25 On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 27 And those that encamp next unto him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the prince of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ochran. 28 And his hosts, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 29 And the tribe of Naphtali: and the prince of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 31 All that were numbered of the camp of Dan were a hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall set forth hindmost by their standards. |
(Publicly found image with no ownership or copyright
information. If owner is known, please notify Biblical Thoughts - For
God's Glory)
In Revelation 21:9-14, we learn that the gates of the New Jerusalem will have the Twelve Tribes names on them. By inferring the tribes encampment instructions of Numbers Chapter 2, then the gates can/will most likely have the same naming sequence and positions. The Tribe of Levi will possibly not have their name on a gate.
| Revelation 21:9-14 | 9 And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: 12 having a wall great and high; 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: 13 on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb |
The laws given by Moses, known as the Mosaic Laws, had not be solidified into scripture at the time when Joseph, Israel's son, was alive where it is an interesting point to recognize that God has put His Laws into our hearts even when we are not Believers in the True God. As an example, Noah was given instructions on what were the clean and unclean animals to be taken onto the Ark of Noah in pairs of two and seven.
| Exodus 21:16 | Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper’s possession. |
What to read next?
At a future time in Revelation 1:7, Jesus Christ will have the world see what He did for all of mankind and for even those who did not accept Him. What is Salvation? Is it is possible to lose Salvation? We have eternal life. Evolution is not real. When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it. Rewards in heaven. Do we Tithe? What does the 3rd Commandment tell us? What is Grace and Mercy? Is there an Age of Accountability? Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?