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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Concerning Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him. I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
Abraham's brother Nahor had married Milcah, and Abraham was later told that they had eight sons. Uz was their firstborn. Buz was next. Then there was Kemuel who became the father of Aram. Their other five sons were read more. Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These are the eight children Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. His concubine, Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, read more. Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.
After that they moved from Bethel. When there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel went into labor. She had severe labor pains. When one of her pains hit, the midwife said: Do not be afraid. You have another son! read more. Rachel was dying! With her last breath she named her son Ben-oni (Son of My Sorrow), but his father named him Benjamin (Son of My Right Hand). Rachel died and was buried on the way to Bethlehem (Ephrath). Jacob set up a stone as a marker for her grave. The same marker is at Rachel's grave today.
These were the sheiks (chiefs) of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz, Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah. read more. These were the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, and Chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. These were the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: Chief Jeush, Chief Jaalam, and Chief Korah. These were the chiefs who descended from Oholibamah, Esau's wife, the daughter of Anah. These were the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these were their chiefs.
These were the names of the sheiks (chiefs) of Esau, according to their families and their places, by their names: Chief Timnah, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, read more. Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the sheiks of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites.
A curse is on their anger, because it is so fierce. And a curse is on their fury, because it is so cruel. I will scatter them throughout the land of Israel. I will disperse them among its people.
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked Jehovah (YHWH), saying: Who will go first to fight against the Canaanites for us?
The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel: and Jehovah was with them.
Solomon appointed twelve men as district governors in Israel. They provided food from their districts for the king and his household, each man being responsible for one month out of the year.
The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father's marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph
So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan, where they are to this day.