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Biblical References...
Genesis 35:23-26...
These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob:
The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob’s oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar,
and Zebulun.
The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.
The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan and Naphtali.
The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad and Asher.
These are the names of the sons who were born to Jacob at Paddan-aram.
Deuteronomy 27:11-13 ...
That same day Moses also gave this charge to the people: “When
you cross the Jordan River, the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph,
and Benjamin must stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim a blessing over the
people.
And the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali must stand on
Mount Ebal to proclaim a curse.
Joshua
13-19... (the scripture is
not posted here... the 7 chapters listed details the land and cities given to
the 12 tribes... as outlined by Moses and Jacob, all as directed by God)
Ezekiel 48:30-35...
“These will be the exits to the city: On the north wall, which is 1-1/2
miles long, there
will be three gates, each one named after a tribe of Israel. The first
will be named for Reuben, the second for Judah, and the third for Levi.
On the east wall, also 1-1/2 miles long, the gates will be named for Joseph,
Benjamin, and Dan.
The south wall, also 1-1/2 miles long, will have gates named for Simeon,
Issachar, and Zebulun.
And on the west wall, also 1-1/2 miles long, the gates will be named for Gad,
Asher, and Naphtali.
Matthew 19:28...
Jesus replied, “I
assure you that when the world is made new and
the Son of Man sits
upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:29-30...
And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to
eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 7:4-8...
And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from
all the tribes of Israel: from Judah 12,000 - from Reuben 12,000 - from Gad
12,000 - from Asher 12,000 - from Naphtali 12,000 - from Manasseh 12,000 - from
Simeon 12,000 - from Levi 12,000 - from Issachar 12,000 - from Zebulun 12,000 -
from Joseph 12,000 - from Benjamin 12,000
Revelation 21:10-13...
So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy
city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as
clear as crystal.
The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels.
And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.
There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.
Discussion thoughts...
(1) A recent article
in Biblical Archaeology entitled "Were there 12 tribes of Israel?... the article
ended with the conclusion that there were probably not 12 tribes in Israel! The
article made me curious to see what the bible says.
(2) Genesis 35:23-26
lists the 12 sons of Jacob (from 4 different wives)... the names of the sons was
the basis of the naming of the 12 tribes... in Deuteronomy
27:11-13 Moses records again the same 12 tribes... in
Ezekiel 48:30-35 again the same 12 tribes are
listed... and in Revelation 7:4-8 again the same 12
tribes are listed.
(3) Again... confirming the documentation of 12
tribes Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:29-30, and Revelation
21:10-13 all confirm 12 tribes.
(4) Some confusion results because some scriptures
do not list all the tribes... Deuteronomy 33 omits
Simeon, Judges 1 omits Issachar, Reuben, Levi and
Gad... Judges 5 omits Simeon, Levi, Judah, Gad and
Joseph.
(5) To further confuse tribe names... there were
other tribes in the area that were not tribes of Israel.
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