12 SONS vs. 12 TRIBES
"For our advanced level learners, here is a helpful tool for you to review how the 12 sons of Jacob relate to the 12 tribes of Israel. They match up...sort of...and it's helpful to know where the differences occur."
12 Sons vs. 12 Tribes
• Jacob has 12 sons. 10, match up, meaning 10 of the sons’ descendants inherit tribal land. The 2 who do not, are noted in red.
1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Levi
4. Judah
5. Dan
6. Naphtali
7. Gad
8. Asher
9. Issachar
10. Zebulun
11. Joseph
12. Benjamin
• Joseph’s 2 sons, Ephraim & Manasseh, are given his inheritance because Joseph receives a double portion after Reuben lost his birth right due to his transgression with Jacob’s concubine Bilhah. They become the two other tribes to inherit land.
• The Tribe of Levi (the priests were from this tribe) was not given land but had six cities scattered throughout the land. They were also in charge of the tabernacle and later the temple. Their inheritance was the Lord.
We are addressing this now because Jacob’s sons are introduced in Genesis (Chapter 35:23-26). But you can read about the tribal land distribution in Joshua chapters 13-21.