Reference: Tribes of Israel
Hastings
The number of the tribes of Israel varied at different periods. The number 12 is an artificial one, as is seen from its application to the descendants of Ishmael (Ge 17:20; 25:13-15), of Nahor (Ge 22:20-24), and of Esau (Ge 36:15-19,40-43). Simeon and Levi were 'divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel' (Ge 49:7) when the tribe of Benjamin arose, so that at that time there would be not 12 but only 11 tribes. Reuben, likewise, in the period of the kings, was an insignificant remnant, and, though mentioned in 1Ch 5:26 as still existing in 734, had apparently become disintegrated long before. As Stade (VI Geschichte des Volkes Israel i. 146) correctly remarks, several of the largest tribes
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And for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I blessed him and made him fruitful, and I multiplied him with might exceedingly: twelve chiefs shall he beget, and I will give him into a great nation.
And it shall be after these words, it will be announced to Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she also will bring forth sons to Nahor, thy brother. Uz, his first-born, and Buz, his brother, and Lemuel, the father of Aram. read more. And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel. And Bethuel will beget Rebekah: these eight, Milcah will bring forth to Nahor, Abraham's brother. And his concubine, and her name Reumah, and she will bare Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachab.
And the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names according their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebajoth, and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, read more. Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
And they will remove from the House of God; and there will be yet a measure of land to come to Ephrath: and Rachel will bring forth, and she will be hard in bringing forth. And it will be in her being hard in bringing forth, and the midwife will say to her, Thou shalt not fear, for also this a son to thee. read more. And it will be in her soul going forth (for she will die) and she will call his name the son of my strength: and his father called him the son of the right hand. And Rachel will die, and she will be buried in the way to Ephrath, it is the house of bread. And Jacob will set up a pillar upon her grave: this the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.
These the chiefs the sons of Esau, the sons of Eliphaz the first-born of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz. Chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Adam: these the sons of Adah. read more. And these the sons of Reuel, the son of Esau; chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Adam: these the sons of Bashemath, Esau's wife. And these the sons of Aholibamah, Esau's wife: chief Jeush, chief Jaalam, chief Korah: these the chiefs of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife. These the sons of Esau, and these the chiefs of Adam.
And these the names of the chiefs of Esau according to their tribes, according to their places, in their names: chief Timnah, chief Alvah, chief Jeheth, Chief Aholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, read more. Chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar. Chief Magdiel, chief Iram: these the chiefs of Edom according to their restings in the land of their possessions: this is Esau the father of Adam.
Cursed their anger, for it was hard; and their wrath, for it was hardened: I will divide them in Jacob, and I will disperse them in Israel
And it will be after the death of Joshua, and the sons of Israel will ask of Jehovah, saying, Who will go up for us against the Canaanites in the beginning to war against them?
And the house of Joseph they also will go up to the house of God and Jehovah with them.
And to Solomon, twelve, set over all Israel, and they furnished the king and his house: a month in the year will be for one to furnish.
And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel, (for he the firstborn; and in his defiling his father's bed, the birth-right was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and not to be enrolled for the birthright For Judah was strong over his brethren, and for a leader from him; and the birthright to Joseph:)
And the God of Israel will rouse up the spirit of Pul, king of Assur and the spirit of Tilgath-Pileser, king of Assur; and he will carry them into exile to the Reubenites and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh; and he will bring them to Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and the river Gozan, even to this day.