The Twelve Tribes of Isreal Basic 6 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

EXPLANATION OF THE TWELVE TRIBES

What Are the Twelve Tribes? The twelve tribes of Israel are the twelve family groups that descended from the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). Each tribe is named after one of Jacob’s sons.

Origin:

• Jacob had 12 sons
• God changed Jacob’s name to “Israel”
• His descendants became “Israelites” or “Children of Israel”
• Each son became the father of a tribe
• These tribes made up the nation of Israel

THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL

Jacob’s Sons (in order of birth):

By Leah (Jacob’s first wife):

1. REUBEN – The firstborn
2. SIMEON – Second son
3. LEVI – Third son (became priests, no land inheritance)
4. JUDAH – Fourth son (Jesus came from this tribe)
5. ISSACHAR – Ninth son
6. ZEBULUN – Tenth son

By Rachel (Jacob’s beloved wife): 7. JOSEPH – Eleventh son (his sons Ephraim and Manasseh became two tribes) 8. BENJAMIN – Twelfth son (youngest)

By Bilhah (Rachel’s maid): 9. DAN – Fifth son 10. NAPHTALI – Sixth son

By Zilpah (Leah’s maid): 11. GAD – Seventh son 12. ASHER – Eighth son

Note: Since Levi became the priestly tribe (serving in the temple, not receiving land), and Joseph’s portion was divided between his two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh), the count remained at 12 tribes with land inheritance.

DISCUSSION OF THE TWELVE TRIBES

1. REUBEN

• Meaning: “See, a son”
• Mother: Leah
• Position: Firstborn, but lost birthright due to sin
• Territory: East of Jordan River
• Character: Impulsive, unstable

2. SIMEON

• Meaning: “Heard”
• Mother: Leah
• Territory: Within Judah’s territory (southern Canaan)
• Character: Violent (with Levi, killed men of Shechem)
• Scattered in Israel

3. LEVI

• Meaning: “Joined” or “Attached”
• Mother: Leah
• Special Role: PRIESTS and temple servants
• No land inheritance – God was their inheritance
• Lived in cities throughout Israel
• Important Levites: Moses, Aaron, Miriam
• Descendants: Priests came from Aaron’s line

4. JUDAH

• Meaning: “Praise”
• Mother: Leah
• Territory: Southern Canaan (largest tribe)
• Importance:
  • Royal tribe (King David came from Judah)
  • JESUS came from this tribe!
  • “Lion of Judah”
• Symbol: Lion
• Capital: Jerusalem (in Judah’s territory)

5. ZEBULUN

• Meaning: “Dwelling”
• Mother: Leah
• Territory: Northern Canaan, near the sea
• Blessed with: Trade and commerce
• Character: Sailors and merchants

6. ISSACHAR

• Meaning: “Reward” or “Wages”
• Mother: Leah
• Territory: Fertile valley (Jezreel Valley)
• Blessed with: Agriculture, farming
• Character: Strong, hardworking

7. DAN

• Meaning: “Judge”
• Mother: Bilhah (Rachel’s maid)
• Territory: Originally southwest, later moved north
• Character: Like a serpent or lion
• Famous Danite: Samson the judge

8. GAD

• Meaning: “Troop” or “Fortune”
• Mother: Zilpah (Leah’s maid)
• Territory: East of Jordan River
• Character: Warriors, fighters
• Blessed with: Military might

9. ASHER

• Meaning: “Happy” or “Blessed”
• Mother: Zilpah (Leah’s maid)
• Territory: Northern coast (Mediterranean)
• Blessed with: Rich food, olive oil
• Character: Prosperous, abundant

10. NAPHTALI

• Meaning: “Wrestling” or “Struggle”
• Mother: Bilhah (Rachel’s maid)
• Territory: Northern Canaan, near Sea of Galilee
• Character: Swift like a deer
• Famous place: Jesus’ ministry was here (Capernaum)

11. JOSEPH (divided into Ephraim and Manasseh)

• Meaning: “He will add”
• Mother: Rachel (Jacob’s beloved wife)
• Special: Received DOUBLE portion (through his two sons)

11a. EPHRAIM (Joseph’s younger son)

• Meaning: “Fruitful”
• Territory: Central Canaan
• Importance: Became very powerful
• Sometimes: Represented all northern tribes
• Famous person: Joshua

11b. MANASSEH (Joseph’s older son)

• Meaning: “Forgetfulness”
• Territory: Both sides of Jordan (half-tribe east, half west)
• Character: Large, powerful tribe

12. BENJAMIN

• Meaning: “Son of my right hand”
• Mother: Rachel (died giving birth to him)
• Position: Youngest
• Territory: Small but important (Jerusalem was on border)
• Character: Fierce warriors
• Famous Benjamites: King Saul, Apostle Paul

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE TRIBES

Tribes East of Jordan (2½ tribes):

• Reuben
• Gad
• Half of Manasseh (Requested to stay there because of good pasture)

Tribes West of Jordan (9½ tribes):

• All the others

Priestly Tribe:

• Levi (no land, served in temple)

Royal Tribe:

• Judah (kings came from here)

Double Portion:

• Joseph (through Ephraim and Manasseh)

Tribe of Jesus:

• Judah (through David’s line)

IMPORTANCE OF THE TWELVE TRIBES

1. Fulfilled God’s Promise

• God promised Abraham many descendants
• Twelve tribes showed God’s faithfulness
• “As numerous as stars and sand”

2. Organized Nation

• Each tribe had role and responsibility
• Military organization (by tribes)
• Census taken by tribes
• Inheritance divided by tribes

3. Worship and Service

• Levites served all tribes
• Each tribe supported temple service
• United in worship of one God

4. God’s Plan

• Messiah would come through Judah
• Priests would come through Levi
• Leaders from various tribes
• All part of God’s purpose

5. Identity and Heritage

• Each Israelite knew their tribe
• Proud of heritage
• Family connections maintained
• Inheritance passed down

6. United Yet Diverse

• Twelve different tribes
• Each with unique characteristics
• But ONE nation under God
• Unity in diversity

7. Prophetic Significance

• Revelation 7: 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe)
• Represents all God’s people
• Israel’s restoration in end times

MODERN APPLICATION

Spiritual Lessons:

1. We Are One Body 
   1. Like twelve tribes, many members
   2. Different gifts, one church
   3. United under Christ
2. Each Has a Purpose 
   1. Every person is important
   2. Different roles, same God
   3. All needed for God’s work
3. Heritage Matters 
   1. Remember where we came from
   2. Pass faith to next generation
   3. Know our spiritual history
4. God Keeps Promises 
   1. Promised Abraham descendants
   2. Fulfilled through twelve tribes
   3. God’s word never fails

Genesis 49 – Jacob blessed each of his sons before dying, prophesying about each tribe’s future.

Deuteronomy 33 – Moses blessed the tribes before his death.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. How many tribes of Israel were there? 

1. A) Ten
2. B) Eleven
3. C) Twelve
4. D) Thirteen

1. The tribes descended from: 

1. A) Abraham’s sons
2. B) Isaac’s sons
3. C) Jacob’s sons
4. D) Moses’ sons

1. Which tribe did not receive land? 

1. A) Judah
2. B) Levi
3. C) Benjamin
4. D) Dan

1. Jesus came from which tribe? 

1. A) Levi
2. B) Reuben
3. C) Judah
4. D) Benjamin

1. Joseph’s portion was divided between: 

1. A) Reuben and Simeon
2. B) Ephraim and Manasseh
3. C) Dan and Naphtali
4. D) Gad and Asher

Homework: List all twelve tribes of Israel and write one fact about each.

Answers: 1-C, 2-C, 3-B, 4-C, 5-B

ANSWER KEY SUMMARY

• Week 1: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-C
• Week 2: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C, 5-C
• Week 3: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C, 5-C
• Week 4: 1-B, 2-B, 3-C, 4-B, 5-C
• Week 5: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C, 5-C
• Week 6: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-C
• Week 8: 1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-B, 5-C
• Week 9: 1-C, 2-C, 3-B, 4-C, 5-B