A) FIRST, THE TRIBAL SYMBOLS.

B) THE TWELVE (THIRTEEN) TRIBES OF ISRAEL.

C) THE LISTING OF THE TRIBES IN ORDER.

 

 

A) FIRST, THE TRIBAL SYMBOLS

 

 

Most of these symbols came about from Genesis, Chapter 49, where Jacob is blessing his children:

 

Reuben = Unstable Water.

Simeon and Levi = Instruments of Cruelty.

Judah = A Lions Whelp (see also Hosea 5:14).

Zebulun = A Haven of Ships.

Issachar = A Strong Ass.

Dan = A Judge; A Serpent By The Way; An Adder In The Path.

Gad = An Over-comer of Troops (see also Gen. 30:11).

Asher = A Maker of Bread and Dainties.

Naphtali = A Hind Let Loose.

Joseph = A Fruitful Bough.

Benjamin = A Wolf.

 

As we can see, these symbols are not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture except where noted above.

 

It should be remembered and noted that these are only symbols of their characters, which is what our Lord is really only concerned about (our characters).  Let us be excellent representatives of Him as to the name that we take upon ourselves (Christians).

 

 

B) THE TWELVE (THIRTEEN) TRIBES OF ISRAEL

 

 

The conception of these are found in GENESIS, CHAPTERS 29-30 (Benjamin no conceived yet; Also, I mention “Dinah,” who is a female, because God seems to promote or acknowledge a list of 13):

 

29:32:  “Reuben” = Meaning, “Looked” or “Affliction,” or put together, “Looked upon my affliction,” or better, “Seen my affliction.”

29:33:  “Simeon” = Meaning, “The LORD hath heard.”

29:34:  “Levi” = Meaning, “Joined unto me.”

29:35:  “Judah” = Meaning, “Let him be praised.”

30:6:  “Dan” = Meaning, “Judged me,” or better, “God has vindicated me,” or, “God has corrected a wrong.”

30:8:  “Naphtali” = Meaning, “wrestled,” or, “having fought.”

30:11:  “Gad” = Meaning, “a troop,” or “company.”

30:13:  “Asher” = Meaning, “Happy.”

30:18:  “Issachar” = Meaning, “my hire.”

30:20:  “Zebulun” = Meaning, “Good dowry,” or “good gift.”

30:21:  “Dinah” = Meaning, “Judgment.”

30:24:  “Joseph” = Meaning, “adding,” in reference to the “adding” of “another son.”

 

Note:  “Benjamin” = Meaning, “son of the south,” or “son of the right hand,” with “ben” meaning “son.”

“Manasseh” = Meaning, “forget,” or “forgotten.”

“Ephraim” = Meaning, “fruitful.”

 

 

C) THE LISTING OF THE TRIBES IN ORDER

 

 

Our First List is found in GENESIS, CHAPTER 35 (the Twelve Tribes mentioned here):

 

Reuben; Simeon; Levi; Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; Joseph; Benjamin; Dan; Naphtali; Gad; Asher.

 

 

Then Comes GENESIS, CHAPTER 49 (the Twelve Tribes mentioned here):

 

Reuben; Simeon; Levi; Judah; Zebulun; Issachar; Dan; Gad; Asher; Naphtali; Joseph; Benjamin.

 

 

Then Comes EXODUS, CHAPTER 1 (the Twelve Tribes mentioned here):

 

Reuben; Simeon; Levi; Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; Benjamin; Dan; Naphtali; Gad; Asher; Joseph.

 

 

Then Comes NUMBERS, CHAPTER 1 (the Twelve Tribes Are Mentioned Here):

 

(Ephraim and Manasseh are counted separately, dropping Joseph, for the total of Twelve; The Tribe of Levi is not mentioned, for this was the battle arraignments):

 

Reuben; Simeon; Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; [the tribes of Joseph]; Ephraim; Manasseh; Benjamin; Dan; Asher; Gad; Naphtali.

 

 

Then Comes NUMBERS, CHAPTER 2 (the Twelve Tribes Mentioned Here):

 

Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; Reuben; Simeon; Gad; Ephraim; Manasseh; Benjamin; Dan; Asher; Naphtali.

 

 

Then Comes NUMBERS, CHAPTER 10 (the Twelve Tribes Mentioned Here; The Tribe of Levi not mentioned for they are the Tribe that administers to the other Tribes and their offerings):

 

Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; Reuben; Simeon; Gad; Ephraim; Manasseh; Benjamin; Dan; Asher; Naphtali.

 

 

Then Comes NUMBERS, CHAPTER 26 (there are Thirteen Tribes Mentioned Here; Because the Tribe of Levi is included in this list; Joseph is mentioned only as the father of Manasseh & Ephraim):

 

Reuben; Simeon; Gad; Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; Manasseh; Ephraim; [Joseph]; Benjamin; Dan; Asher; Naphtali; Levi.

 

 

Then Comes NUMBERS, CHAPTER 34 (Only Ten Tribes Are Mentioned Here; Reuben, Levi, & Gad are not mentioned; Joseph equaling Manasseh & Ephraim; Reuben and Gad, and the Half Tribe of Manasseh, are not mentioned because their inheritance was to be on the East side of the Jordan River):

 

Judah; Simeon; Benjamin; Dan; Manasseh; Ephraim; Zebulun; Issachar; Asher; Naphtali.

 

 

Then Comes JUDGES, CHAPTER 12 (This verse [29] only mentions that there were Twelve Tribes at that time):

 

Verse 29:  And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

 

 

Then Comes FIRST CHRONICLES, CHAPTER 2 (the Twelve Tribes Mentioned Here):

 

Reuben; Simeon; Levi; Judah; Issachar; Zebulun; Dan; Joseph; Benjamin; Naphtali; Gad; Asher.

 

 

Then Comes FIRST CHRONICLES, CHAPTER 12 (the Thirteen Tribes Mentioned Here; The Tribe of Levi being included in this list):

 

Judah; Simeon; Levi; Benjamin; Ephraim; Manasseh; Issachar; Zebulun; Naphtali; Danites; Asher; Reubenites; Gadites.

 

 

Then Comes EZEKIEL, CHAPTER 48 (the Twelve Tribes Mentioned Here):

 

Reuben; Judah; Levi; Joseph; Benjamin; Dan; Simeon; Issachar; Zebulun; Gad; Asher; Naphtali.

 

 

Then Comes REVELATION, CHAPTER 7:  Juda; Reuben; Gad; Aser; Nepthalim; Manasses; Simeon; Levi; Issachar; Zabulon; Joseph; Benjamin.

 

Note:  The Twelve Tribes Mentioned Here; the Tribe of Dan being omitted [see my Bible Commentary on the Book of Revelation]; Most likely due to his sinfulness; Manasseh is included [see my Bible Commentary on the Book of Revelation] with his father Joseph to cover for Dan.

 

 

Lastly, REVELATION, CHAPTER 21 (the Twelve Tribes Mentioned Here [but not named]):

 

Verse 12:  “And had a wall great and high, and had 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.”