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 as concerning Ishmael also, I have heard thy request: lo, I will bless him and increase him, and multiply him exceedingly. Twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make a great nation of him.
And it chanced, after these things, that one told Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor: Uz his eldest son and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of the Syrians, read more. and Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel." And Bethuel begat Rebekah. These eight did Milcah bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother. And his concubine called Reuma she bare also Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maacha.
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, with their names in their kindreds. The eldest son of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, read more. Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.
And they departed from Bethel, and when he was but a field breadth from Ephrata, Rachel began to travail. And in travailing she was in peril. And as she was in pains of her labour, the midwife said unto her, "Fear not, for thou shalt have this son also." read more. Then as her soul was departing, that she must die: she called his name Benoni. But his father called him Benjamin. And thus died Rachel, and was buried in the way to Ephrata which now is called Bethlehem. And Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave, which is called Rachel's grave pillar unto this day.
These were dukes of the sons of Esau. The children of Eliphaz the first son of Esau were these: duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz, duke Korah, duke Gatam and duke Amaleck: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and these were the sons of Adah. read more. These were the children of Reuel Esau's son: duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah. These are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom, and these were the sons of Basemath Esau's wife. These were the children of Aholibamah Esau's wife: duke Jeusg, duke Jalam, duke Korah. These dukes came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah Esau's wife. These are the children of Esau, and these are the dukes of them: which Esau is called Edom.
These are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, in their kindreds, places and names: Duke Timna, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon, read more. duke Kenaz, duke Theman, duke Mibzar, duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These be the dukes of Idumaea in their habitations, in the land of their possessions. This Esau is the father of the Edomites.
Cursed be their wrath for it was strong, and their fierceness for it was cruel. I will therefore divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up first unto the Cananites to fight against them?"
And in like manner the house of Joseph went up to Bethel and the LORD with them,
And Solomon had twelve general receivers over all Israel which sustained the king and his household: each man his month in a year.
The sons of Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: for he was the eldest. But because he defied his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, and so he is not reckoned unto the birthright. For unto Judah which was mighty among his brethren, was given the principality before him. But the birthright was given Joseph.
God stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser, king of Assyria, and carried away the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, Habor, Hara and to the River Gozan, where they remain unto this day.