Later, Rachel also gives birth to Benjamin, the youngest of the twelve; sadly Rachel dies in childbirth. Jacob was indeed the father of all, but there were four different moms. What does the Bible say about Preparing for Apocalyptic Disaster? This article is part of our Bible resource for understanding the significance and meaning of biblical phrases and ideas. Your hand will be at the throat of your enemies. They were named Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah (or . In Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, a reoccurring theme is Jacob's twelve sons. Levi - Attached 4. Part III - Prophecies about the 12 Tribes His testament was a prophecy of hope to strengthen believers of all times, to let them know that God will indeed be victorious in the end and triumph over His enemies. At the age of 17, Joseph was a shepherd alongside his brothers. It is amazing how God gives us these wonderful truths in simple names and stories. Benjamin (Ben-Oni) means son of my right hand, son of righteousness. So began a game of wills between the two sisters to win Jacobs love. His first-born Reuben was the son of Leah, who later gave birth to Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Its amazing how God hid all these wonderful truths in simple names and stories. Genesis 30:21. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. Jacob named him Benjamin. Simeons and Levis tribes were scattered because of their willful massacre of the men of Shechem. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Rachel's servant woman Bilhah had two more sons: Dan and Naphtali. For New Testament believers, this is picture of the patient and hard-working believer who labors daily to conform to Jesus and walk in His righteousness. All rights reserved. Nowhere in Scripture is 12 called a perfect number, although some try to associate the numbers with numerology (the belief in a divine or supernatural relationship between a number and coordinating events), yet this is seen nowhere in the Bible. At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 20:21; Heb. Our Purpose and Position is to accentuate Gods blessings, Gods answered prayers, and Gods VICTORIES! When the land was divided, their tribe did not receive any land; 48 cities scattered around Israel and located within the territories of the other tribes were allotted to them. Simon - One who hears 3. Gad (Gad sounds like the Hebrew for good fortune)received this blessing: Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. The Gadites were known as mighty men of valor. (Zilpah)good fortune Jacob's son Reuben is the patriarch of the Tribe of Reuben. In Genesis - chapter 48 and 49, when Jacob was about to die, he called his 12 sons to his side, blessed them and uttered his last words to them to tell them what would happen "in the last days". Levi was important because it was from him that the priestly line of the Levites descended. To Reuben, Jacob said that he would not receive his inheritance as firstborn, because he defiled his father's bed by laying with his father's concubine, Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). BEHOLD, A SON IS BORN UNTO US, ONE WHO HEARS US AND BECAME ATTACHED UNTO US. Tribal Blueprints explores the lives of each of Jacob's twelve sons, as well as their four mothers, and shows how each wife is loved and how each son is loved by their father Jacob.. They were responsible for the priestly duties and God chose not to number them along with the other tribes.. Judah Since he had no dowry, he agreed to work for his uncle seven years for her hand in marriage. He eventually fathered twelve sons and a daughter as recorded in Genesis 2930 and Genesis 35. SPECIAL SONG: THE SONS OF JACOB Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin, Those are the sons of Jacob! As we read about the tribes of Israel in Scripture, Gods redemptive plan for His people is shown through the complicated lives of each of these men of promise. ti jean petro day. Asher means blessed, happiness. Leah said, What good fortune. Leah named Gad as if he were her own son.Jacob said before he died: Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels.. In an escalating competition, Leah follows suit, giving her maid, Zilpah, to sleep with Jacob; Zilpah also has two sons. But, overall, they were not known for their moral uprightness. Leah said, God hath given me my hire. Leahs eldest son came across mandrakes (flowering herbs) in the field which were thought to enhance a womans fertility. Numbers Chapter 2. Gad Good fortune Just Who Were the 12 Tribes of Israel and What Happened to Them? Judah means praise the Lord. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your fathers bed, onto my couch and defiled it(Genesis 49:3-4). He stooped down; he couched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? 8. 9. Although the nation of Israel is launched through these twelve sons, Jacobs family life is a lesson of everything not to do. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Many lessons can be gleaned from the sons of Jacob, including: Actions equal consequencesReuben defiled his fathers bed and forfeited his rights as the eldest son. Its amazing how God hid all these wonderful truths in simple names and stories. Then, all of the brothers returned and plundered the city, taking everything of value with them. As a result, his blessing went to Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In short, readers of this fine book will learn a lot by reading it, see how questions are asked and answered, and come to examine Tanakh in a deeper way. 12 sons of Jacob . So, Bashan is often used to depict a place of idolatry and rebellion against God. Leah said, Because I have born him three sons.. Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah (Heb 7:14)(Rev 5:5). After protesting, Laban also gives Jacob Rachels hand in exchange for another seven years of labor. They agreed, and on the third day after undergoing the ritual, while they were in pain and incapacitated, Simeon and Levi went to the city and killed every single male, and brought Dinah back home. Josephisafruitfulbough by a spring; his branchesrunoverthewall. 7. Jacob's Twelve Sons -Jacob had twelve sons while living in northern Syria. Ashers (Asher sounds like the Hebrew raidersand raid)blessing was: Ashersfoodshallberich, andheshall yield royal delicacies. (Ashers family prospered in Egypt). Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! (Leah)let him [God] be praised To Naphtali (Naphtali sounds like the Hebrew wrestling), Jacob decreed, Naphtaliisadoeletloose thatbears beautiful fawns(Naphtalis military skill was marked by deer-like speed and dexterity). Jacob had twelve sons and their names put together is the hidden gospel revealed through it. For New Testament believers, this is picture of a man who recognized his mistakes and repented wholeheartedly making amends for the evil he had done. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. The 12 sons of jacob and who their mothers Learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. To Joseph, Jacob said that he would always be spiritually fruitful. Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah (Heb 7:14)(Rev 5:5). He had eleven brothers Judah, Benjamin, Reuben, Levi, Simeon, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Naphtali, and Dan. Isaiah 2:5-6, Jeremiah 2:4, Amos 9:8, Obadiah 1:17-18, and Luke 1:33 (among other passages) all speak of the house of Jacob,which is a direct reference to the 12 sons of Jacob (the 12 tribes). Since he had no dowry, he agreed to work for his uncle seven years for her hand in marriage. Since ancient times, philosophers and religions have tried to solve this apparently complicated and unsolvable mystery, but failed. (Rachel)may God add For New Testament believers, this is picture of the Church defeating its enemies and the humble inheriting the earth. Simeon He calls his 12 sons to address them, and not just simply address them but to address them with a prophetic vision of the future of their tribes. She was the mother of twin sons, Esau and Jacob, who were the progenitors of two nations The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." (Genesis 25:23, NIV) In Genesis, chapter 34, a man named Shechem raped Dinah, the brothers sister. The 12 Tribes of Israel descended from the patriarch Jacob, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, who was renamed Israel and gave his name to the nation. Part IV - Marching Order of the Tribes. To Gad, Jacob said that his descendants would become mighty men of valor and their blessing was that, even though they would be tramped over by their enemies from time to time, indeed they would triumph and defeat them in the end. The Word of God was written for readers of all times, so that anybody reading it can draw wisdom from it, provided they have eyes to see and ears to hear. Who Are the Sons of Jacob and Why Is it Important That There Are 12 of Them. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have born him six sons.Jacob said before he died: Zebulun would dwell near the sea and shall be a haven of ships. 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved. Judah:Jacobs fourth son, also born to Leah, is known for his involvement in his younger brothers protection. Thats a mighty promise. This is what the collection of their names says: BEHOLD, A SON IS BORN UNTO US, ONE WHO HEARS US AND BECAME ATTACHED UNTO US. When the brothers heard the father begging Jacob to give her to Shechem for a wife, they were very angry, and came up with a plan. Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Bilhah bore (5) Dan and (6) Naphtali. With Judah and his progeny as well as the other brothers, Professor Price also describes Judahs weaknesses and similar ones of their progeny. Issachars tribe was hard-working, tough, vigorous, and unfaltering, living up to Jacobs blessing for him, says Lisa Loraine Baker, in Who Are the Sons of Jacob and Why Is it Important That There Are 12 of Them? To be a mighty man of God you have to be faithful and strong in your obedience, and this is what this blessing alludes to. Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. Hebrews 12:22-24 - "You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the gathering and Church of the Firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.". Levi (/ l i v a / LEE-vy; Hebrew: , Modern: Lev, Tiberian: Lw) was, according to the Book of Genesis, the third of the six sons of Jacob and Leah (Jacob's third son), and the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Levi (the Levites, including the Kohanim) and the great-grandfather of Aaron, Moses and Miriam. While Ashers tribe made a name for themselves as peacemakers, full of extraordinary wisdom. Dan Reuben means behold a son is born to us. Here is how this convoluted family tree happened: Jacob fell in love with Rachel (his uncles daughter, that is, his first cousin). What isn't apparent from Dreamcoat is many of the sons were half brothers. Who are the 12 sons of Jacob and their mothers? God always works His willJoseph, though scorned and abandoned to slavery by his brothers was used mightily by God in the redemption of the nation of Israel (Genesis 39-50). 19; 20). The king's son repented of his sin and the men of Shechem agreed to follow the God of Jacob and to be circumcised. 1:13; Col. 1:5, 2 Tim. It is imperative that we know the truth. 30-50). If you would like to know why the Righteous and the Innocent suffer and solve the mystery, check out our article on this topic in our Bible Articles section and read about our exciting findings. Jacob had twelve sons and their names put together is the hidden gospel revealed through it. [Num 33.54; Num 36.3-9], There is no such thing as "10 lost tribes of Israel." Each of Jacobs 12 sons has a story that builds the framework of their tribe. 14 November, 2015 Character Essay The Character of God in the Old Testament . Instead of a single tribe in Josephs name, his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh each inherited their own tribe (Genesis 48; Joshua 14:4; Ezekiel 47:13). As we read about the tribes of Israel in Scripture, Gods redemptive plan for His people is shown through the complicated lives of each of these men of promise. God made a Covenant with Abraham, promising that he would be "a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:4) and He changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of a multitude". It's amazing how God hid all these wonderful truths in simple names and stories. 22 Joseph is descended from a fruitful vine. The whole worlds hope for redemption can be found in Gods plan executed through wayward Israel. It starts with the 12 tribes and ends with the 12 gates with 12 pearls representing the tribes and the 12 kinds of fruit. What Do We Learn about Babylon in the Bible? 15 He observed that his resting place was excellent, 18 LORD, Im waiting for your salvation., he will be a provider of delicacies fit for royalty.. Gad and Asher:On the heels of Rachels entry into the battle of the babies, Leah decided to give her maid, Zilpah to Jacob (Genesis 30:9-12). Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled and I have prevailed.Jacob said before he died: Naphtali would be like a deer let loose and shall use beautiful words. He gave them to his mother, Leah. She writes fiction and nonfiction. Jacob was indeed the father of all, but there were four different moms. 4 But youre as undisciplined as a roaring river, defiled it, and then approached my couch., I will separate them throughout Jacobs territory. Here are the names and their meanings: Reuben Behold, A Son is born to usSimeon One who hearsLevi AttachedJudah Praise the LordDan He judgedNaphtali My StruggleGad Good fortuneAsher HappinessIssachar RewardZebulun HonourJoseph Add to my familyBenjamin Son of righteousness. Learn more at https://peterdehaan.com. 2:20, 22:6).The King James Version is used on this website unless otherwise noted. This is the only way we can be free according to scripture. Also, the fourth son Judah taking the lead in standing up against the Egyptian leader (unknown to him that . Isaac is depicted in Scripture as a man of great faithfulness to the Lord. And once again God affirmed His promise to Isaacs son, Jacob. An example of comparing one of Jacobs sons with his descendants, is the describing the act of Jacobs fourth son Judah where he gave into temptation and had sex with a prostitute and his descendant King David having sex with Uriahs wife Bat Sheva. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. 30-50). That night, Leah became pregnant with Issachar.Jacob said before he died: Issachar was likened unto a donkey that would be forced to work, slave labor. 3:16, Rev. Letmysoulcomenotintotheircouncil; O my glory, be not joined to their company. But when Jacob received the promise, God included an additional blessing that would extend to the whole world. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. For an extended study on the subject of the 12 Tribes of Israel and the Patriarchs and Matriarchs from whom they descended and their significance in Biblical History Click Here. of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body." Genesis 35:11. Years later, Joseph went on to become 2nd in command in all of Egypt, and save his brothers and father from starvation. After Jacob arrived at his Uncle Labans, he fell in love with Rachel when he met her at the shepherds well (Genesis 29:9-14). Finally, Rachel gets pregnant and has Joseph. But through Scripture, and the advantage of hindsight, we can catch a glimpse of something greater than Gods thought process; we can discern His purpose. Leah said, Because the Lord had heard that I was hated (unloved).Jacob said before he died: Simeon would be an instrument of cruelty, cursed with anger, violence, and wrathe; his descendant was to be scattered, Levi means joined or to be joined to, attached. and his mares foal to its thick tendrils, 13 Zebulun will settle down near the sea shore. These sons became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel and were blessed according to the covenant God had made with their great-grandfather Abraham. Like Sarah, she was barren and later conceived, becoming pregnant with twins. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Also, the fourth son Judah taking the lead in standing up against the Egyptian leader (unknown to him that he was Joseph) to rescue his half-brother Benjamin and the later tribe of Judah that had many leadership roles. Jordan River, was allocated among the 12 Tribes. Jacob also had a daughter named Dinah (Genesis 46:15), who was a sister of the twelve patriarchs, and Asher had a daughter named Serah (Genesis 46:17), so indeed, "All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob's sons' wives, were sixty-six persons in all." Benjamin Son of righteousness. Although the nation of Israel is launched through these twelve sons, Jacobs family life is a lesson of everything not to do. The Hebrew word for "doe" comes from a root word, meaning "leader, mighty man, noble man", a word that express strength and prominence. To Issachar, Jacob said that he was strong and resolute in his laboring, and he blessed his hard-working nature. Gen 35:22-26 - briefly lists the names of the 12 sons of Jacob, grouped by their respective mothers: Leah, Rachel, . Judah then told his son Onan to marry Tamar so that there would be an heir. Issachar a fruitful vine planted near springs of water. Jacob bestowed a lengthy and significant blessing upon Judah in Genesis 49:8-12. What is the Biblical End of the Age? In an escalating competition, Leah follows suit, giving her maid, Zilpah, to sleep with Jacob; Zilpah also has two sons. In the same manner, the last words of Jacob were meant to be a testament for his literal sons, who were by his side, but also for all his future spiritual descendants. The mothers of Jacob's 12 sons (Genesis 35:22-26) Despite God's promise, Sarah, Abraham's wife, remained childless well into her old age. ***Note: Jacob and Leah also had a daughter named Dinah (Gen 30:21). Here are the names and their meanings: Reuben - Behold, A Son is born to us Simeon - One who hears Levi - Attached Judah - Praise the Lord Dan - He judged Naphtali - My Struggle Zebulun, Zilpah (Leah's maid), mother of: Gad, Asher, Bilhah (Rachel's maid), mother of: Dan, Naphtali. Jacob worshiped the Lord when he awoke, and he promised he would give back a 10th of all God gave him. And there are many other explorations such as why did Joseph act as he did before his brothers sold him as a slave in Egypt, and what was Josephs intention when he went into the house of Potiphar when Potiphars wife was alone, did the rabbis consider that Joseph intended to sleep with her when they said he desisted when he remembered his father, and why did he not contact his father to tell him that he was alive when he had the opportunity to do so for many years. Benjamin was the only one of Jacob's sons to be born in Canaan. Jacobs proclamation against the violence his two sons had perpetuated came in the form of his prophecy against them at the end of his life. Issachar Reward I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. (The account of how Simeon and Levi led the charge of the brothers to kill the men of Shechem after the rulers son defiled their sister, Dinah, may be found in Genesis 33:18-34:31). Joseph, after seeing his brothers on their first visit, contained I will list them in the order they were born (oldest to youngest), who their mother was, and what their name means. Birth of the Twelve Sons of Jacob The story of the twelve tribes begins when their father, Jacob, escaped from his brother, Esau, who wanted to kill him. Do Mary and the Saints Hear and Answer Our Prayers? 1. Joseph is easily the best known of the 12 sons (and was the favorite of Jacob: Gen 37:3-4), being mentioned in 16 chapters in Genesis (between Ch. Jacob's twelve sons are first mentioned in the order of their births, in Genesis 29:31-30:24 & 35:16-20. They then claimed all the cattle, women, and children from the village as plunder (Genesis 34). 1. These two brothers are best known for avenging the rape of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34:25). Israel. A thorough study of the sons of Jacob reveals life lessons for all who take heed. She writes fiction and nonfiction. Thanks! After protesting, Laban also gives Jacob Rachels hand in exchange for another seven years of labor. What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? We thank You for the gift of this Ministry and as You give it your people, we ask that You Alone be glorified in every thought, in every word and in every deed. Its also interesting to discover that the tribe of Dan is not mentioned with the other tribes in the Book of Revelation among the 144,000 that are to be sealed. But Simeon and Levi did not forgive them; they took advantage of their vulnerability and led the charge to kill them. The closest we get is Revelation 13:8, which says the number of man is 666. 17:17; 2 Cor. Laban gave Jacob Rachel as a wife also, but Jacob had to work another seven years for her. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. This was based on the condition Jacob would work another seven years for Rachel also. Judah and Tamar are in the lineage of Jesus, despite Judahs sinful action toward her (Genesis 38). Sign up. Joseph (Joseph means May he addand sounds like the Hebrew taken away) received the lengthiest blessing from his father (Joseph was his favorite). These children are important in biblical history, as the twelve sons of Jacob became the heads of the twelve tribes. 12 MOTHER SON BIRTH ORDER REFERENCE OF BIRTH SYMBOL OF BLESSING ORDER OF BLESSING REFERENCE OF BLESSING LEAH BILHAH . Looking at what the Bible says, we can conclude 12 is simply the number God chose. 2:5, Eph. In his struggles, he remained strong thanks to God who fortified him. In fact, the territory assigned to the tribe of Asher was bordering that of Zebulun and Asher is one of the two tribes of Israel, the other being Dan, associated with seafaring and, by implication, see commerce in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:17). Shechem then begged his father to get her for him as a wife. Dont play favorites with childrenJacob learned this through his sons scorn of Joseph. All Rights 6:7; Gal. As a result of Simeon and Levis actions, Jacob and his clan became a target of ridicule. Leah would give Rachel some of the mandrakes as a payment for allowing Leah to sleep with their husband, Jacob. With such a preponderance, does the number 12 have any significance beyond its numerical value? Sorcerous Overconfidence (Acharei-Kedoshim), Mother and two baby sons found stabbed to death in Taibe, Palestinian teen killed, six others hurt during IDF raid near Jericho, US House Speaker McCarthy: If Biden doesnt invite Netanyahu to DC soon, I will, After Levins speech against High Court, Herzog asks officials to restrain remarks, Palestinian man dies in blaze in Arab Israeli city of Kafr Qasim, Haredi parties said to back down from demand to pass IDF draft law before budget. Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who were adopted by Jacob, became the Patriarchs of two tribes (Genesis 48:5-6). He continued in his faith and trust in the Lord even when he was thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit. Saul of Tarsus] Tribe of Judah - King David, King Solomon, many other kings; Lord Jesus, the Messiah. Peter writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and make a faith that matters. At the end of Jacobs life, when the time came to bless all his children and prophesy about their futures, Reubens portion was an indictment of his sin. of To Dan, Jacob said that he would "judge" Israel, and his tribe indeed was righteous for a time and "judged" in the Promised Land. And so forth. Judah had shown repentance of his sins multiple times. Zilpah, Leahs handmaid, gave birth to Asher. 26 Your fathers blessings will prove to be stronger, than blessings from the eternal mountains, who was separated from his own brothers., 28 Thats how Israel blessed these twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father told them when he pronounced his blessing for them, blessing each one with a blessing suitable for them. In Genesis 28:1-5, we learn the beginning of Jacobs history apart from his parents as they send him to Padam-aram to his maternal uncle, Laban to settle and find a wife. The Flow of the Gospel: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. She also is a member of BRRC. Rachel is Benjamin's . Reuben: the name means see a son - Whose mother was Leah.
12 sons of jacob and their mothers