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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As to Ishmael, I have heard thee; lo, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes doth he beget, and I have made him become a great nation;
And it cometh to pass after these things that it is declared to Abraham, saying, 'Lo, Milcah hath borne, even she, sons to Nahor thy brother: Huz his first-born, and Buz his brother; and Kemuel father of Aram, read more. and Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel; and Bethuel hath begotten Rebekah;' these eight hath Milcah borne to Nahor, Abraham's brother; and his concubine, whose name is Reumah, she also hath borne Tebah, and Gaham, and Tahash, and Maachah.
and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their births: 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 journey from Bethel, and there is yet a kibrath of land before entering Ephratha, and Rachel beareth, and is sharply pained in her bearing; and it cometh to pass, in her being sharply pained in her bearing, that the midwife saith to her, 'Fear not, for this also is a son for thee.' read more. And it cometh to pass in the going out of her soul (for she died), that she calleth his name Ben-Oni; and his father called him Benjamin; and Rachel dieth, and is buried in the way to Ephratha, which is Bethlehem, and Jacob setteth up a standing pillar over her grave; which is the standing pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.
These are chiefs of the sons of Esau: sons of Eliphaz, first-born of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek; these are chiefs of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom; these are sons of Adah. read more. And these are sons of Reuel son of Esau: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah; these are chiefs of Reuel, in the land of Edom; these are sons of Bashemath wife of Esau. And these are sons of Aholibamah wife of Esau: chief Jeush, chief Jaalam, chief Korah; these are chiefs of Aholibamah daughter of Anah, wife of Esau. These are sons of Esau (who is Edom), and these their chiefs.
And these are the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families, according to their places, by their names: chief Timnah, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, chief Aholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, read more. chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, chief Magdiel, chief Iram: these are chiefs of Edom, in reference to their dwellings, in the land of their possession; he is Esau father of Edom.
Cursed is their anger, for it is fierce, And their wrath, for it is sharp; I divide them in Jacob, And I scatter them in Israel.
And it cometh to pass, after the death of Joshua, that the sons of Israel ask at Jehovah, saying, 'Who doth go up for us unto the Canaanite, at the commencement, to fight against it?'
And the house of Joseph go up -- even they -- to Beth-El, and Jehovah is with them;
And Solomon hath twelve officers over all Israel, and they have sustained the king and his household -- a month in the year is on each one for sustenance;
As to sons of Reuben, first-born of Israel -- for he is the first-born, and on account of his profaning the couch of his father hath his birthright been given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he is not to be reckoned by genealogy for the birthright, for Judah hath been mighty over his brother, and for leader above him, and the birthright is to Joseph.
and stir up doth the God of Israel the spirit of Pul king of Asshur, and the spirit of Tilgath-Pilneser king of Asshur, and he removeth them -- even the Reubenite, and the Gadite, and the half of the tribe of Manasseh -- and bringeth them in to Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and the river of Gozan unto this day.