The Twelve Tribes of Israel

Their inheritance · Joshua 13–19

Click a territory or a tribe's tile — or drag / scroll to explore

Boundaries are approximate: a schematic reading of Joshua 13–19.

Dan's later home (Judges 18)

Cities of refuge

Other places

Reuben (Joshua 13:15–23)

Reuben settled east of the Salt Sea, on the tableland north of the Arnon round Medeba, Dibon and Heshbon.

Patriarch & mother Reuben was Jacob's first-born, the first son of Leah (Genesis 29:32; 35:23).

The name Leah named him, saying, “Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction: for now my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:3–4: > Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength… > Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; > Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed…

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:6: > Let Reuben live, and not die; > Nor let his men be few.

Census - Numbers 1:21 — 46,500 men of war, twenty years old and up. - Numbers 26:7 — 43,730, counted again in the plains of Moab.

Territory East of the Salt Sea, from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon valley north across the plain by Medeba, with Heshbon, Dibon and Beth-jeshimoth. The Jordan was its western border (Joshua 13:15–23).

Reuben and Gad asked for this land because it was “a land for cattle” (Numbers 32:1–5). Their fighting men still crossed the Jordan armed, ahead of Israel (Joshua 4:12). The lists overlap with Gad's: Gad built Dibon and Aroer (Numbers 32:34), and Heshbon is later a Levite city “out of the tribe of Gad” (Joshua 21:38–39).

Famous people - Reuben himself — he tried to save Joseph: “Shed no blood” (Genesis 37:21–22). - Dathan and Abiram — sons of Eliab, “sons of Reuben”, who rose with Korah against Moses; the earth swallowed them (Numbers 16:1, 31–32; 26:9–10). - Adina — “the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites”, among David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:42).

Notes Scripture names no judge, king or prophet from Reuben. Reuben lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22); because he “defiled his father’s couch”, “his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph” (1 Chronicles 5:1).

When Deborah and Barak called the tribes, Reuben stayed at home: “Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds… At the watercourses of Reuben There were great searchings of heart” (Judges 5:16).

Key events - With Gad and half of Manasseh, built the altar Ed by the Jordan, “a witness between us that Jehovah is God” (Joshua 22:10, 34). - With the same tribes, defeated the Hagrites, “because they put their trust in him” (1 Chronicles 5:18–22). - Carried away by the kings of Assyria (1 Chronicles 5:26).

Simeon (Joshua 19:1–9)

Simeon's towns lay inside Judah's lot, in the Negeb round Beersheba, because Judah's share was too much for it.

Patriarch & mother Simeon was the second son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:33).

The name Leah said, “Because Jehovah hath heard that I am hated, he hath therefore given me this son also” (Genesis 29:33).

Jacob's blessing Simeon shares his blessing with Levi. Genesis 49:5–7: > Simeon and Levi are brethren; > Weapons of violence are their swords… > I will divide them in Jacob, > And scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 34:25–30 tells how the two brothers killed the men of Shechem.

Moses' blessing Moses' blessing does not name Simeon (Deuteronomy 33).

Census - Numbers 1:23 — 59,300 men of war. - Numbers 26:14 — 22,200, the largest fall of any tribe between the two counts.

The text gives no reason for the fall. Some connect it with the plague of Numbers 25, where the man slain was a Simeonite leader (Numbers 25:9, 14); that is a suggestion, not a statement of Scripture.

Territory Simeon had no border of its own. Its lot, the second, “was in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Judah”, “for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them” (Joshua 19:1, 9). Its towns lay in the Negeb: Beer-sheba, Moladah, Hormah, Ziklag and others (Joshua 19:2–8). Several of the same towns also appear in Judah's list (Joshua 15:26–32).

Judah and Simeon fought side by side and took Zephath, renamed Hormah (Judges 1:3, 17). Ziklag later passed to David, and “Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day” (1 Samuel 27:6).

Famous people - Zimri — “a prince of a fathers’ house among the Simeonites”, killed by Phinehas (Numbers 25:6–8, 14). - Shaphat son of Hori — Simeon's spy sent into Canaan (Numbers 13:5). - Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai — Simeon's prince in the wilderness (Numbers 1:6, 16).

Notes Scripture names no judge, king or prophet from Simeon. Its towns are listed with the note “These were their cities unto the reign of David” (1 Chronicles 4:31), and the Chronicler adds that Shimei's brothers “had not many children, neither did all their family multiply like to the children of Judah” (1 Chronicles 4:27).

Key events - Joseph kept Simeon bound in Egypt while his brothers went home (Genesis 42:24). - Men of Simeon took pasture at Gedor in Hezekiah's days, and five hundred went to mount Seir (1 Chronicles 4:39–43). - Men of Simeon were among those who came over to King Asa of Judah (2 Chronicles 15:9). - Simeon is among the tribes sealed in Revelation 7:7.

Levi (Joshua 21)

Places

• kedesh
• shechem
• hebron
• bezer
• ramoth-gilead
• golan

Levi received no territory: the LORD was its inheritance, and it was given forty-eight cities among the other tribes.

Patriarch & mother Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:34).

The name Leah said, “Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons” (Genesis 29:34).

Jacob's blessing Levi shares his blessing with Simeon (Genesis 49:5–7), which ends: > I will divide them in Jacob, > And scatter them in Israel.

Levi did end up in cities spread through all the tribes (Joshua 21).

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:8, 10: > Thy Thummim and thy Urim are with thy godly one… > They shall teach Jacob thine ordinances, > And Israel thy law: > They shall put incense before thee, > And whole burnt-offering upon thine altar.

Census Levi was not counted among the men of war (Numbers 1:47–49). Its males were counted from a month old: - Numbers 3:39 — 22,000. - Numbers 26:62 — 23,000, “because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel”.

Territory None. “…unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance: Jehovah, the God of Israel, is their inheritance” (Joshua 13:33; also Numbers 18:20–24; Deuteronomy 18:1–2). The tithe was given to the Levites “for an inheritance” (Numbers 18:21).

Instead they received 48 cities with their pasture lands, scattered among the tribes: “forty and eight cities with their suburbs” (Joshua 21:41; Numbers 35:7). The priests' thirteen were in Judah, Simeon and Benjamin (Joshua 21:4, 19). Six were cities of refuge for anyone who killed “unwittingly” (Numbers 35:6, 11; Joshua 20:3, 7–9). They are the pins on this map: Kedesh, Shechem and Hebron west of the Jordan; Bezer, Ramoth in Gilead and Golan east of it.

Famous people - Moses, Aaron and Miriam — children of Amram and Jochebed, “the daughter of Levi” (Exodus 2:1; 6:20; Numbers 26:59). - Phinehas — Aaron's grandson, given “the covenant of an everlasting priesthood” (Numbers 25:11–13). - Ezra — his line runs back to “Aaron the chief priest” (Ezra 7:1–5). - Jeremiah and Ezekiel — tied through the priesthood, which was Levi's: Jeremiah was “of the priests that were in Anathoth” (Jeremiah 1:1); Ezekiel is “Ezekiel the priest” (Ezekiel 1:3). - Zacharias and Elisabeth — a priest, and his wife “of the daughters of Aaron” (Luke 1:5). - Barnabas — “a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race” (Acts 4:36).

Notes No king came from Levi. Samuel's tribe is read two ways. 1 Samuel 1:1 calls his father Elkanah “an Ephraimite”; 1 Chronicles 6:27–28, 33–34 lists Samuel and Elkanah in a Levite family of Kohath. Some take “Ephraimite” to mean where the family lived.

Key events - After the golden calf, “all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together” to Moses (Exodus 32:26–29). - Taken for God “instead of all the first-born” of Israel, and given to Aaron to serve the tabernacle (Numbers 3:6–13).

Judah (Joshua 15)

Judah's lot ran from the Salt Sea to the Great Sea and south into the Negeb, with Hebron and Bethlehem, and it proved too much for Judah alone.

Patriarch & mother Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:35).

The name Leah said, “This time will I praise Jehovah” (Genesis 29:35).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:8–10: > Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise… > Judah is a lion’s whelp… > The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, > Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, > Until Shiloh come: > And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:7: > Hear, Jehovah, the voice of Judah, > And bring him in unto his people.

Census - Numbers 1:27 — 74,600 men of war. - Numbers 26:22 — 76,500. Judah was the largest tribe both times.

Territory From the Salt Sea to the Great Sea; south past Kadesh-barnea to the brook of Egypt; north along the valley of Hinnom, just south of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:1–12). Simeon's towns lay inside it (Joshua 19:1, 9).

Jerusalem, on the line with Benjamin, is listed in Benjamin's lot (Joshua 18:28). Judah “could not drive them out” (Joshua 15:63), though Judges 1:8 says Judah took the city and burned it; the Jebusites still lived there with Benjamin (Judges 1:21) until David took “the stronghold of Zion” (2 Samuel 5:6–7).

The lot ran to Ekron, Ashdod and Gaza on the coast (Joshua 15:45–47). Judges 1:18 says Judah took Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron, but 1:19 says it “could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley”, and the five lords of the Philistines remained (Joshua 13:2–3; Judges 3:3).

Famous people - Caleb — “Of the tribe of Judah” (Numbers 13:6), though also called “the Kenizzite” (Numbers 32:12); he received Hebron (Joshua 15:13). - Bezalel — maker of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2). - Boaz and David — in the line of Perez, “whom Tamar bare unto Judah” (Ruth 4:12, 18–22); David was the son of Jesse of “Beth-lehem-judah” (1 Samuel 17:12). - Daniel — “of the children of Judah” (Daniel 1:6). - Jesus — “our Lord hath sprung out of Judah” (Hebrews 7:14); “the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).

Notes Judah was the tribe of the kings of David's line. The first judge, Othniel, is tied to Judah by family rather than by a stated tribe: “Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 3:9–10). The prophet Amos, “among the herdsmen of Tekoa” (Amos 1:1), is tied by his town, which was in Judah (2 Chronicles 11:5–6).

Key events - “Judah shall go up” first against the Canaanites (Judges 1:1–2). - The men of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:1–4). - At the split, “the tribe of Judah only” followed David's house (1 Kings 12:20), with Benjamin (12:21). - “So Judah was carried away captive out of his land” (2 Kings 25:21).

Dan (Joshua 19:40–48)

Dan's lot lay west of Benjamin toward Joppa; later the tribe moved north and took Laish, renaming it Dan.

Patriarch & mother Dan was the first son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid (Genesis 30:3–6).

The name Rachel said, “God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son” (Genesis 30:6).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:16–17: > Dan shall judge his people, > As one of the tribes of Israel. > Dan shall be a serpent in the way, > An adder in the path…

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:22: > Dan is a lion’s whelp, > That leapeth forth from Bashan.

Census - Numbers 1:39 — 62,700 men of war. - Numbers 26:43 — 64,400, all of one family, the Shuhamites (Numbers 26:42–43).

Territory Dan's first lot (the seventh drawn) lay west of Benjamin: Zorah, Eshtaol, Aijalon, Timnah and Ekron, out to Me-jarkon, “with the border over against Joppa” (Joshua 19:40–46). Ekron is also in Judah's list (Joshua 15:45) and is drawn in Judah.

Dan could not hold it: “the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill-country” (Judges 1:34). In Judges 18 the tribe sent five men from Zorah and Eshtaol to look for land, because “their inheritance had not fallen unto them” (Judges 18:1–2). They took Laish in the far north, “a people quiet and secure”, and “called the name of the city Dan” (Judges 18:27–29; Joshua 19:47 calls it Leshem).

“…from Dan even to Beer-sheba” came to mean all Israel (Judges 20:1).

Famous people - Samson — son of Manoah of Zorah, “of the family of the Danites” (Judges 13:2); “he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years” (Judges 15:20). - Oholiab — “of the tribe of Dan”, a maker of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:6). - Huram the craftsman — “the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan” (2 Chronicles 2:13–14). 1 Kings 7:14 calls his mother “a widow of the tribe of Naphtali”.

Notes Samson is Dan's one judge; Scripture names no king or prophet from Dan.

At Laish the Danites set up Micah's graven image, and “Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land” (Judges 18:30). Jeroboam later set a calf of gold at Dan (1 Kings 12:28–30).

Dan is not named among the tribes sealed in Revelation 7:4–8 (Ephraim is not named either; Joseph and Manasseh are). Scripture gives no reason. Common suggestions are Dan's early idolatry (Judges 18:30) or a slip in copying; they are only suggestions. Ezekiel 48:1 still gives Dan a portion of the land.

Key events - Dan's camp marched last, “the rearward of all the camps” (Numbers 10:25). - In Deborah's song: “And Dan, why did he remain in ships?” (Judges 5:17). - The move to Laish (Judges 18).

Naphtali (Joshua 19:32–39)

Naphtali held the hills of Galilee west of the Jordan and the Sea of Chinnereth, with Hazor and Kedesh.

Patriarch & mother Naphtali was the second son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid (Genesis 30:7–8).

The name Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed” (Genesis 30:8).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:21: > Naphtali is a hind let loose: > He giveth goodly words.

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:23: > O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, > And full with the blessing of Jehovah, > Possess thou the west and the south.

Census - Numbers 1:43 — 53,400 men of war. - Numbers 26:50 — 45,400.

Territory The sixth lot: the hills of Galilee west of the upper Jordan and the Sea of Chinnereth, reaching Zebulun on the south and Asher on the west (Joshua 19:32–34). Its fortified cities included Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, Hazor and Kedesh (Joshua 19:35–38). Kedesh, “in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali”, was the northern city of refuge (Joshua 20:7).

Not taken: “Naphtali drove not out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites” (Judges 1:33).

Famous people - Barak — “the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali” (Judges 4:6); his tie is by his home town. He led ten thousand men of Zebulun and Naphtali against Sisera (Judges 4:10, 14–15), and Hebrews 11:32 names him among the faithful. - Hiram the bronze-worker — “the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre” (1 Kings 7:13–14). 2 Chronicles 2:14 says his mother was “of the daughters of Dan”. Scripture does not reconcile the two; one common suggestion is that she was born in one tribe and married into the other.

Notes Scripture names no king or prophet from Naphtali. In Barak's day it was Deborah who “judged Israel at that time” (Judges 4:4).

Naphtali answered when called: “Zebulun was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, And Naphtali, upon the high places of the field” (Judges 5:18). Its men also came out for Gideon (Judges 6:35; 7:23).

Key events - Ben-hadad of Syria struck “all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali” (1 Kings 15:20). - Tiglath-pileser took Kedesh and Hazor, “all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria” (2 Kings 15:29). - Isaiah spoke of “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali” made glorious (Isaiah 9:1); Jesus made his home in Capernaum, “in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:13–16).

Gad (Joshua 13:24–28)

Gad settled in Gilead east of the Jordan, from Heshbon and Jazer up the valley to the Sea of Chinnereth.

Patriarch & mother Gad was the first son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's handmaid (Genesis 30:9–11).

The name Leah said, “Fortunate!” and called him Gad (Genesis 30:11).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:19: > Gad, a troop shall press upon him; > But he shall press upon their heel.

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:20–21: > Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: > He dwelleth as a lioness, > And teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head… > He executed the righteousness of Jehovah, > And his ordinances with Israel.

Census - Numbers 1:25 — 45,650 men of war. - Numbers 26:18 — 40,500.

Territory Gilead, east of the Jordan: Jazer and “all the cities of Gilead”, half the land of Ammon as far as Aroer before Rabbah; from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir (Joshua 13:25–26); and in the Jordan valley Beth-nimrah, Succoth and Zaphon, up to the Sea of Chinnereth (Joshua 13:24–28). Gilead was shared: Moses gave half of it to Reuben and Gad, and the rest to Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:12–13).

Gad and Reuben asked for it because it was “a place for cattle” (Numbers 32:1). Ramoth in Gilead was Gad's city of refuge (Joshua 20:8). Judges 1 does not mention Gad.

Famous people - David's Gadite warriors — “mighty men of valor… whose faces were like the faces of lions” (1 Chronicles 12:8). Their eleven captains are named, Ezer the chief first (12:9–14). - Jephthah — “the Gileadite”, a judge (Judges 11:1; 12:7). Gilead was held by Gad and by Manasseh; the text does not name his tribe. - Elijah — “the Tishbite, who was of the sojourners of Gilead” (1 Kings 17:1). His tribe is not stated. - Gad the prophet — “David’s seer” (2 Samuel 24:11). He shares the tribe's name; his own tribe is not stated.

Notes The Gadites Scripture names are David's warriors: the eleven captains (1 Chronicles 12:9–14) and “Bani the Gadite” among his mighty men (2 Samuel 23:36). Scripture names no judge, king or prophet from Gad; the famous men tied to Gilead are tied by region, not by tribe.

In Deborah's day, “Gilead abode beyond the Jordan” (Judges 5:17). Later, speaking of Ammon, Jeremiah asks, “why then doth Malcam possess Gad” (Jeremiah 49:1).

Key events - Crossed the Jordan armed with the other tribes, then went home with Joshua's blessing (Numbers 32:20–22; Joshua 22:1–6). - With Reuben and half of Manasseh, built the altar by the Jordan (Joshua 22:10, 34). - Mahanaim, a Levite city out of Gad (Joshua 21:38), was where Abner made Ish-bosheth king (2 Samuel 2:8–9). - Carried away by the kings of Assyria with Reuben and half of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:26).

Asher (Joshua 19:24–31)

Asher's lot ran along the coast from Carmel north toward Sidon, with Tyre on its border and Acco within it (Joshua 19:29; Judges 1:31).

Patriarch & mother Asher was the second son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's handmaid (Genesis 30:12–13).

The name Leah said, “Happy am I! for the daughters will call me happy” (Genesis 30:13).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:20: > Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, > And he shall yield royal dainties.

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:24–25: > Blessed be Asher with children; > Let him be acceptable unto his brethren, > And let him dip his foot in oil. > Thy bars shall be iron and brass; > And as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

Census - Numbers 1:41 — 41,500 men of war. - Numbers 26:47 — 53,400, a rise of almost twelve thousand.

Territory The fifth lot: the coast from Carmel and Shihor-libnath north, by Cabul and Kanah “even unto great Sidon”, then round by “the fortified city of Tyre” to the sea at Achzib (Joshua 19:24–31).

That was the lot on paper. In fact “Asher drove not out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon”, nor of Achzib and other towns, “but the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites” (Judges 1:31–32). Manasseh also had towns “in Issachar and in Asher”, among them Dor (Joshua 17:11). On this map Asher stops short of Sidon, which it never held.

Famous people - Anna — “a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher”, a widow of great age who served in the temple. She saw the infant Jesus and “spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36–38).

Notes The Old Testament names no judge, king or prophet from Asher. Anna, in Luke, is the one named prophet of the tribe.

In Deborah's song, “Asher sat still at the haven of the sea” (Judges 5:17). The Chronicler numbers those “reckoned by genealogy for service in war” at twenty-six thousand (1 Chronicles 7:40).

Key events - Asher's men came out for Gideon and chased Midian (Judges 6:35; 7:23). - Solomon gave Hiram of Tyre twenty cities in Galilee; Hiram called them “the land of Cabul” (1 Kings 9:11–13). Cabul is a name on Asher's border (Joshua 19:27). - When Hezekiah called the north to the Passover, “certain men of Asher” came to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:11).

Issachar (Joshua 19:17–23)

Issachar held the eastern Jezreel valley between Mount Tabor and the Jordan, with Jezreel and Shunem.

Patriarch & mother Issachar was the fifth son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:17–18).

The name Leah said, “God hath given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband” (Genesis 30:18).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:14–15: > Issachar is a strong ass, > Couching down between the sheepfolds… > And he bowed his shoulder to bear, > And became a servant under taskwork.

Moses' blessing Issachar shares his blessing with Zebulun. Deuteronomy 33:18: > Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; > And, Issachar, in thy tents.

Census - Numbers 1:29 — 54,400 men of war. - Numbers 26:25 — 64,300, by then the third largest tribe.

Territory The fourth lot: the eastern valley of Jezreel, with Jezreel, Chesulloth and Shunem, reaching Tabor and going out at the Jordan; sixteen cities in all (Joshua 19:17–23). Manasseh also had towns “in Issachar and in Asher”, among them Beth-shean and En-dor (Joshua 17:11). Judges 1 does not mention Issachar.

Its towns saw much of Israel's later story. The Philistines camped at Shunem before Saul's last battle (1 Samuel 28:4). Ahab had a palace at Jezreel, by Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21:1). Elisha often ate with “a great woman” of Shunem (2 Kings 4:8).

Famous people - Tola — “a man of Issachar”, who “judged Israel twenty and three years”. He lived in Shamir in the hill-country of Ephraim (Judges 10:1–2). - Baasha — “of the house of Issachar”, who killed King Nadab and took the throne of Israel (1 Kings 15:27–28). He reigned twenty-four years in Tirzah (15:33); Zimri later killed his whole house (16:9–11).

Notes Issachar gave Israel a judge and a royal house (Baasha and his son Elah, 1 Kings 16:8); Scripture names no prophet from it.

Of the men who came to David, Chronicles remembers Issachar's as “men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Key events - Deborah's song says “the princes of Issachar were with Deborah” (Judges 5:15). - The Chronicler counts its “mighty men of valor” at eighty-seven thousand (1 Chronicles 7:5). - Many of Issachar ate Hezekiah's Passover without being cleansed, and Hezekiah prayed for them (2 Chronicles 30:18).

Zebulun (Joshua 19:10–16)

Zebulun held the hills of lower Galilee between Jokneam and Mount Tabor, with Gath-hepher.

Patriarch & mother Zebulun was the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, her last son (Genesis 30:19–20).

The name Leah said, “God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons” (Genesis 30:20).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:13: > Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; > And he shall be for a haven of ships; > And his border shall be upon Sidon.

Moses' blessing Zebulun shares his blessing with Issachar. Deuteronomy 33:18–19: > Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; > And, Issachar, in thy tents… > For they shall suck the abundance of the seas, > And the hidden treasures of the sand.

Census - Numbers 1:31 — 57,400 men of war. - Numbers 26:27 — 60,500.

Territory The third lot: the hills of lower Galilee, from Sarid west to the brook before Jokneam and east to Chisloth-tabor, Daberath and Japhia, then by Gath-hepher to Rimmon; twelve cities, among them Nahalal and a Bethlehem (Joshua 19:10–16).

Not taken: “Zebulun drove not out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol” (Judges 1:30).

Joshua's list gives Zebulun no coast, and the text does not say how that fits Jacob's words about ships and Sidon.

Famous people - Elon — “Elon the Zebulunite” judged Israel ten years and was buried “in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun” (Judges 12:11–12). - Jonah — “the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher” (2 Kings 14:25). Gath-hepher is on Zebulun's border (Joshua 19:13); the tie is by town, as his tribe is not stated. - Ibzan — a judge from Bethlehem (Judges 12:8). The text does not say whether this is Judah's Bethlehem or Zebulun's (Joshua 19:15).

Notes Zebulun had a judge, Elon. Jonah is tied to it only by his town. Scripture names no king from Zebulun.

Isaiah spoke of “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali”, once brought low and later made glorious (Isaiah 9:1). Matthew says this was fulfilled when Jesus made his home in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13–15).

Key events - Barak “called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh” against Sisera (Judges 4:10); “out of Zebulun they that handle the marshal’s staff” (Judges 5:14). - Zebulun's men came out for Gideon (Judges 6:35). - Fifty thousand came to David, men who “were not of double heart” (1 Chronicles 12:33). - Hezekiah's messengers were mocked from Ephraim to Zebulun, yet some men of Zebulun came to the Passover (2 Chronicles 30:10–11).

Ephraim (Joshua 16)

Ephraim held the central hill country north of Benjamin, where the tabernacle stood at Shiloh.

Patriarch & mother Ephraim was Joseph's younger son, born in Egypt to Asenath, “the daughter of Potiphera priest of On” (Genesis 41:50–52). Jacob took him as his own son: “Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, shall be mine” (Genesis 48:5). Blessing the boys, Jacob crossed his hands and “set Ephraim before Manasseh” (Genesis 48:14–20).

The name Joseph said, “For God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41:52).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49 blesses Joseph (49:22–26): > Joseph is a fruitful bough, > A fruitful bough by a fountain…

Of Ephraim himself Jacob said, “his younger brother shall be greater than he” (Genesis 48:19).

Moses' blessing Moses blesses Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:13–17), ending: > And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, > And they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Census - Numbers 1:33 — 40,500 men of war. - Numbers 26:37 — 32,500, a fall of eight thousand.

Territory Joseph's lot ran from the Jordan at Jericho up through the hill-country toward Bethel, and west by Beth-horon to Gezer and the sea (Joshua 16:1–3). Ephraim's part lay south of the brook Kanah, with some cities “in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh” (Joshua 16:5–9; 17:9–10). Not taken: Gezer, where the Canaanites stayed (Joshua 16:10; Judges 1:29).

On this map Shiloh, “on the north of Beth-el” (Judges 21:19), lies in Ephraim. There Israel “set up the tent of meeting” (Joshua 18:1). Shechem, called a city “in the hill-country of Ephraim” (Joshua 20:7), is drawn in Manasseh; see Manasseh.

Famous people - Joshua — Hoshea son of Nun, “Of the tribe of Ephraim”, whom Moses renamed Joshua (Numbers 13:8, 16). He was buried at Timnath-serah “in the hill-country of Ephraim” (Joshua 19:50; 24:30). - Jeroboam — “an Ephraimite of Zeredah” (1 Kings 11:26), first king of the northern tribes (12:20). - Elkanah, Samuel's father — “an Ephraimite” (1 Samuel 1:1), though 1 Chronicles 6:33–34 lists him in a Levite family. Some take “Ephraimite” to mean where he lived.

Notes Ephraim led the north: the prophets often call the northern kingdom simply Ephraim (Isaiah 7:2; Hosea 11:8). Yet Psalm 78 says God “forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh” and “chose not the tribe of Ephraim” (78:60, 67).

Ephraim was quick to take offense when left out of a battle, with Gideon and with Jephthah (Judges 8:1–3; 12:1).

Key events - At the fords of the Jordan, the men of Gilead tested each man: “Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth”, and they killed him. Forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell (Judges 12:5–6). - Jeroboam set up calves of gold at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28–29).

Manasseh (Joshua 13:29–31; 17)

Manasseh received land on both sides of the Jordan: the hills round Shechem in the west and Bashan and northern Gilead in the east.

Patriarch & mother Manasseh was Joseph's first-born, by Asenath, in Egypt (Genesis 41:50–51). Jacob took him and Ephraim as his own sons (Genesis 48:5), but put the younger first (Genesis 48:14–20).

The name Joseph said, “God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51).

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49 blesses Joseph (49:22–26), ending: > They shall be on the head of Joseph, > And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Moses' blessing Moses blesses Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:13–17): > Blessed of Jehovah be his land… > And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, > And they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Census - Numbers 1:35 — 32,200 men of war, the smallest tribe. - Numbers 26:34 — 52,700, the largest rise of any tribe.

Territory Manasseh is the one tribe with land on both sides of the Jordan.

East. Moses gave half the tribe “all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan” (Joshua 13:30; with Gad and Reuben in Numbers 32:33). Machir took Gilead, Jair took its towns, and Nobah took Kenath and named it after himself (Numbers 32:39–42). The lot ran from Mahanaim over all Bashan, with Ashtaroth and Edrei (Joshua 13:29–31): “all the region of Argob, even all Bashan” (Deuteronomy 3:13–15). Golan in Bashan was its city of refuge (Joshua 20:8).

West. Ten parts fell to the rest of the tribe (Joshua 17:5): the hills north of the brook Kanah, out to the sea (Joshua 17:7–10). It also had Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor, En-dor, Taanach and Megiddo inside Issachar and Asher (Joshua 17:11), but “could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities”; the Canaanites stayed and were later put to taskwork (Joshua 17:12–13; Judges 1:27).

Shechem. The map draws Shechem in Manasseh, whose border ran by Michmethath, “which is before Shechem” (Joshua 17:7). But Joshua 20:7 calls it “Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim”, and the Levites received it from Ephraim's lot (Joshua 21:20–21). The line here is approximate.

Famous people - Gideon — son of Joash the Abiezrite: “my family is the poorest in Manasseh” (Judges 6:11, 15). - The daughters of Zelophehad — five sisters of Machir's line who won the right to their father's inheritance (Numbers 27:1–7; Joshua 17:3–4). - Jair — “the son of Manasseh”, who took the towns he called Havvoth-jair (Numbers 32:41).

Notes Gideon is Manasseh's judge. His son Abimelech was made king by the men of Shechem and “was prince over Israel three years” (Judges 9:6, 22). Scripture names no king of Israel or Judah, and no prophet, from the tribe. The judges Jair and Jephthah were “the Gileadite”, tribe unstated (Judges 10:3; 11:1; see Gad); this Jair is not stated to be the same as Jair the son of Manasseh.

Key events - “Out of Machir came down governors” to fight with Deborah (Judges 5:14). - The eastern half built the altar by the Jordan with Reuben and Gad (Joshua 22:10), and went into exile with them (1 Chronicles 5:26).

Benjamin (Joshua 18:11–28)

Benjamin's small lot lay between Judah and Ephraim, from Jericho up to Jerusalem, Gibeah and Mizpah.

Patriarch & mother Benjamin was Jacob's youngest son, Rachel's second (Genesis 35:24; 43:29). He was born on the road to Ephrath, and Rachel died giving birth (Genesis 35:16–19).

The name As she died, “she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin” (Genesis 35:18). Genesis does not explain either name.

Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:27: > Benjamin is a wolf that raveneth… > And at even he shall divide the spoil.

Moses' blessing Deuteronomy 33:12: > The beloved of Jehovah shall dwell in safety by him; > He covereth him all the day long, > And he dwelleth between his shoulders.

Census - Numbers 1:37 — 35,400 men of war. - Numbers 26:41 — 45,600.

Territory Benjamin's lot “went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph” (Joshua 18:11): the Jordan on the east, Jericho and Bethel on the north, the valley of Hinnom on the south. Its cities included Jericho, Bethel, Gibeon, Ramah, Mizpeh and Gibeath (Joshua 18:11–28). Bethel, on the line, is drawn on Ephraim's side; 1 Chronicles 7:28 counts it among Ephraim's towns.

Jerusalem was in Benjamin's lot: “the Jebusite (the same is Jerusalem)” (Joshua 18:28). But “the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem” (Judges 1:21).

Famous people - Ehud — “a saviour… the Benjamite, a man left-handed”, the deliverer who killed Eglon of Moab (Judges 3:15, 21). - Saul — son of Kish and Israel's first king: “Am not I a Benjamite” (1 Samuel 9:1–2, 21; 10:20–21). - Jonathan — Saul's son, David's friend (1 Samuel 14:49; 18:1). - Mordecai and Esther — Mordecai was “a Benjamite”. Esther, his uncle's daughter, is tied to Benjamin through that family (Esther 2:5–7). - Paul — “of the tribe of Benjamin” (Philippians 3:5; Romans 11:1).

Notes Saul called Benjamin one “of the smallest of the tribes of Israel” (1 Samuel 9:21). Jeremiah, a priest, came from Anathoth “in the land of Benjamin” (Jeremiah 1:1); his tie is by town.

Key events - Judges 19–21. Men of Gibeah abused a Levite's concubine until she died, and Benjamin would not give them up (Judges 19:22–28; 20:5, 13). In the war that followed, Benjamin was almost wiped out; six hundred men fled to the rock of Rimmon (Judges 20:46–47). Israel mourned: “There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day” (Judges 21:6). Wives were found for the survivors from Jabesh-gilead and Shiloh (Judges 21:12, 21–23). - At the split of the kingdom, Benjamin stood with Judah (1 Kings 12:21).

Why twelve? (Joshua 14:3–4)

Levi had no land and Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh became two tribes, so the land was still shared in twelve.

Twelve sons Jacob had twelve sons: “the sons of Jacob were twelve” (Genesis 35:22–26): six by Leah, two by Rachel (Joseph and Benjamin), and two each by the handmaids Bilhah and Zilpah. “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel” (Genesis 49:28).

Joseph counted twice Jacob took Joseph's two sons as his own: “Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, shall be mine” (Genesis 48:5).

Levi without land “Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance” (Joshua 13:14); “Jehovah, the God of Israel, is their inheritance” (Joshua 13:33). Levi lived in 48 cities among the others (Joshua 21:41).

So, still twelve Joshua 14:4 puts the two together: > For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: > and they gave no portion unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in…

One tribe without land, one tribe doubled: so the land was still shared in twelve portions. This map has twelve territories, plus a tile for Levi.

The lists differ - Genesis 49 — Jacob blesses his twelve sons, Levi and Joseph among them. - Deuteronomy 33 — Moses blesses Levi and Joseph, naming Ephraim and Manasseh within Joseph's blessing (33:17). Simeon is not named. - Revelation 7:4–8 — twelve tribes of twelve thousand. Levi, Joseph and Manasseh are named; Dan and Ephraim are not. Scripture does not say why. - Ezekiel 48 — the land is shared again: Ephraim and Manasseh each have a portion, and the Levites a share beside the priests (48:4–5, 13); “Joseph shall have two portions” (47:13). Yet the city's twelve gates bear the names of Levi and Joseph (48:31–34).

Kedesh (Joshua 20:7)

Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill-country of Naphtali: the northern city of refuge.

Kedesh

The northern city of refuge, set apart “in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali” (Josh 20:7). It was also a Levite city (Josh 21:32).

Where: Tel Kedesh. OpenBible's entry for this verse (Josh 20:7) resolves to it (435 votes), and it is the top identification of Kedesh in Naphtali (560). Barak's home, Kedesh-naphtali (Judg 4:6), is less settled: OpenBible leans to Khirbet Qedish by the south-west shore of the Sea of Chinnereth, about 40 km south (289 votes), with Tel Kedesh also well supported (243 through Kedesh 1, and 132 more directly). The pin uses Tel Kedesh.

Shechem (Joshua 20:7)

Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim: the central city of refuge.

Shechem

The central city of refuge, “Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim” (Josh 20:7). The Levites received it from Ephraim's lot (Josh 21:21).

Where: Tell Balatah, with no rival identification on OpenBible (500 votes).

On this map: the polygons show the town in Manasseh's territory. The text calls it Ephraim's hill-country. The boundary there is approximate.

Hebron (Joshua 20:7)

Kiriath-arba, which is Hebron, in the hill-country of Judah: the southern city of refuge.

Hebron

The southern city of refuge: “Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill-country of Judah” (Josh 20:7). It was given to the sons of Aaron (Josh 21:11, 13).

Where: Tel Rumeida, with no rival on OpenBible (500 votes).

Bezer (Joshua 20:8)

Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain, out of Reuben: the eastern city of refuge for Reuben. Its site is uncertain.

Bezer

The city of refuge for Reuben: “Bezer in the wilderness in the plain” (Josh 20:8).

Where: uncertain. OpenBible's first reading is Umm el Amad (323 votes), which is modest support. Its other reading is Tall Jalul (30 votes), about 9 km to the south-south-west. The text gives no more than "in the wilderness, in the plain country" (Deut 4:43), so the dot could be off.

Ramoth-gilead (Joshua 20:8)

Ramoth in Gilead, out of Gad: the city of refuge for Gad. Several sites are proposed.

Ramoth-gilead

The city of refuge for Gad: “Ramoth in Gilead” (Josh 20:8). Ahab and the king of Syria later fought over it (1 Kgs 22:3).

Where: disputed. OpenBible's first reading is Tall er Rumeith (713 votes), which is well ahead. Its alternatives are Tall al Husun (102), Ar Ramtha (32), As Salt (22) and Iraq al Amir (17). The pin is at the first.

Golan (Joshua 20:8)

Golan in Bashan, out of Manasseh: the city of refuge for eastern Manasseh. Its site is approximate.

Golan

The city of refuge for Manasseh: “Golan in Bashan” (Josh 20:8). The Levites of Gershon received it (Josh 21:27).

Where: approximate. OpenBible offers one site, Saham al Jawlan (546 votes). The text says only "in Bashan", so treat the dot as a guide to the area, not a fixed spot.

Shiloh (Joshua 18:1)

Where the tent of meeting stood and Joshua cast the lots before the LORD.

Shiloh

The whole congregation “assembled themselves together at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there” (Josh 18:1). There Joshua cast lots “before Jehovah” for the seven tribes still without land (Josh 18:8–10), and the work closed there (Josh 19:51).

Where: Khirbet Seilun, with no rival on OpenBible (500 votes).

Dan (Laish) (Judges 18:27–29)

Laish, taken by the tribe of Dan and renamed Dan.

Dan, once Laish

The Danites were still seeking “an inheritance to dwell in” (Judg 18:1); Joshua says their border “went out beyond them” (Josh 19:47). The tribe came to Laish, “a people quiet and secure”, burned the city, rebuilt it, and “called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father” (Judg 18:27–29; see also Josh 19:47, where it is Leshem).

Where: Tel Dan, with no rival on OpenBible (500 votes).

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