Twelve Tribes of Israel — Biblical Wiki

Birth of the Patriarchal Sons & Sojourn in Egypt

Born in Padan-aram and Canaan ( Genesis 29:32 , Genesis 30:24 , Genesis 35:18 ), the sons of Jacob migrated to Goshen in Egypt during the famine when Joseph rose to second-in-command under Pharaoh ( Genesis 41:51 , Genesis 46:8 ). Jacob blessed each tribe prophetically in Genesis 49:1 , singling out Judah for the royal scepter ( Genesis 49:10 ).

Wilderness Encampment & Joshua's Land Division

In Numbers 2:1 and Numbers 3:17 , the tribes camped in four standards around the Wilderness Tabernacle , while the tribe of Levi ( Kohath , Gershon , and Merari ) guarded the sanctuary. Under Joshua and Eleazar ( Joshua 13:1 , Joshua 14:1 ), the land of Canaan was apportioned by lot at Shiloh .

Connected People, Places & Books

Related Articles & Topics

Jacob/Israel 99% match

Generation 22 • Messianic Line • Child of Isaac

(Genesis 21:26, 1 Chronicles 1:34, Luke 3:34, Genesis 49:33) G-d changed Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:28).

Joseph 97% match

Generation 23 • Child of Jacob/Israel

Joseph is a biblical figure in Generation 23, child of Jacob/Israel, parent of Manasseh, Ephraim. (Genesis 30:24, 1 Chronicles 2:2)

Judah 96% match

Generation 23 • Messianic Line • Child of Jacob/Israel

Judah is a biblical figure in Generation 23 of the Messianic Line, child of Jacob/Israel, parent of Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, Zerah. (Genesis 29:35, 1 Chronicles 2:1)

Simeon 96% match

Generation 23 • Child of Jacob/Israel

Simeon is a biblical figure in Generation 23, child of Jacob/Israel. (Genesis 29:33, 1 Chronicles 2:1)

Levi 96% match

Generation 23 • Child of Jacob/Israel

Levi is a biblical figure in Generation 23, child of Jacob/Israel, parent of Gershon (Gershom), Jochebed, Kohath, Merari. (Genesis 29:34, 1 Chronicles 2:1)

Numbers 94% match

Old Testament • 36 Chapters

Numbers (Old Testament, 36 chapters). Key figures: Moses, Jacob/Israel, Aaron, Reuben, Simeon, Judah. Key places: Sinai, Egypt, Ephraim, Dan, Hebron, Paran. Opens with: "And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in th..."

Ephraim 94% match

Generation 24 • Child of Joseph

Ephraim is a biblical figure in Generation 24, child of Joseph, parent of Shuthelah, Ezer, Elead, Beriah. (Genesis 41:52)

Reuben 93% match

Generation 23 • Child of Jacob/Israel

Reuben is a biblical figure in Generation 23, child of Jacob/Israel. (Genesis 29:32, 1 Chronicles 2:1, 1 Chronicles 5:1)