Mar 22, 20235 min read

History of the 12 Tribes of Israel Chart: Explore the 12 Tribes of Israel Chart & the Legacy!

The 12 Tribes of Israel are a fascinating subject for anyone interested in history, religion, and culture. These tribes were the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, who was later renamed Israel by God, and their story is told in the Bible's Old Testament. In this blog post, we will explore the 12 Tribes of Israel and their history and use the 12 tribes of Israel chart to help us visualize this information.

The history of Israel is closely intertwined with the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes were descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was also known as Israel. These tribes played a significant role in developing Israel and its religious and cultural traditions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the twelve tribes of Israel, their history, and their significance.

First, let's take a look at the 12 tribes of Israel chart. This chart lists the 12 tribes and their corresponding regions of land in the promised land of Canaan, later known as Israel. The chart also includes the names of the tribes' patriarchs and some key facts about each tribe. We will refer to this chart throughout the post to help us better understand the tribes and their history.

The 12 Tribes of Israel Chart:

Before we delve into the history and significance of the twelve tribes of Israel, let's first take a look at the 12 tribes of Israel chart:

Tribe Patriarch Region Key Facts

Reuben Reuben East of the Jordan Firstborn of Jacob

Simeon Simeon South of Judah Conquered by the tribe of Judah

Levi Levi No specific region Priests and Levites

Judah Judah Southern region Descendants of King David

Issachar Issachar North of Manasseh Skilled in agriculture

Zebulun Zebulun North of Issachar Skilled in navigation

Dan Dan West of Benjamin Conquered by the Philistines

Naphtali Naphtali North of Zebulun Fertile land

Gad Gad East of the Jordan Skilled in warfare

Asher Asher North of Naphtali Skilled in trade

Joseph Joseph No specific region Divided into two tribes:

Ephraim and Manasseh

Benjamin Benjamin South of Ephraim Descendants of King Saul

Now, let's delve deeper into each tribe's history and significance. We will start with Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob. According to the 12 tribes of Israel chart, Reuben's region was east of the Jordan. Reuben lost his birthright as the firstborn because he slept with his father's concubine, Bilhah. Instead, the birthright went to Joseph, the firstborn of Jacob's favored wife, Rachel. However, Reuben still received a portion of land in the promised land of Canaan.

The History of the 12 Tribes of Israel

The history of the twelve tribes of Israel dates back to the time of Jacob, also known as Israel. Jacob had twelve sons from his four wives, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah. These twelve sons were the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The firstborn son of Jacob was Reuben, followed by Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Each of these tribes had a unique role to play in the development of Israel.

The descendants of Reuben settled in the east of the Jordan River, while Simeon's descendants settled in the south of Judah. Levi's descendants, the priestly class, were scattered throughout Israel and did not have a specific territory.

Judah's descendants became the dominant tribe, and the kings of Israel came from the tribe of Judah. Dan's descendants settled in northern Israel, while Naphtali's descendants settled in the northwest.

Gad's descendants settled on the east side of the Jordan River, while Asher's descendants settled in the northwest of Israel. Issachar's descendants settled in northern Israel, and Zebulun's descendants settled in the northeast.

Joseph's descendants were divided into two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim's descendants settled in central Israel, while Manasseh's descendants settled in the northeast.

Benjamin's descendants settled in the south of Judah, and their territory bordered the tribe of Judah.

The Significance of the 12 Tribes of Israel

The twelve tribes of Israel played a significant role in developing Israel's religious and cultural traditions. Each tribe had its own identity, culture, and customs.

The tribe of Levi was the priestly class and was responsible for the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. They were also responsible for teaching the people of Israel the laws and customs of God.
The tribe of Judah was the dominant tribe and gave birth to King David and King Solomon. The Messiah was prophesied to come from the tribe of Judah.
The tribe of Dan was known for its skilled craftsmen and was responsible for building the Tabernacle in the desert.
The tribe of Naphtali was known for its warriors, and some of Israel's most outstanding military leaders, such as Barak and Ehud, came from this tribe.
The tribe of Asher was known for its fertile land and was a major agricultural center.
The tribe of Issachar was known for its scholars and was responsible for developing Jewish learning.
The tribes of Zebulun and Joseph were also significant, as they were divided into two tribes and played an essential role in the history of Israel.
Ephraim's descendants became a dominant tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, and Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, was from the tribe of Ephraim.
Manasseh's descendants also played a significant role, and Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, was from the tribe of Manasseh.

The twelve tribes of Israel were also significant in the religious traditions of Israel. Each tribe had its flag or emblem, representing its identity and role in Israel. These emblems were also associated with the twelve zodiac signs, and each tribe had a corresponding month in the Jewish calendar.

The twelve tribes were also significant in the organization of Israel's military. The tribes were divided into four groups of three tribes each, each with a specific role in the military.

The Legacy of the 12 Tribes of Israel

The legacy of the twelve tribes of Israel continues to this day. The Jewish people still identify with their tribal ancestry; some even carry their tribal name as their last name.

In addition, the twelve tribes of Israel continue to be a significant part of Jewish religious and cultural traditions. The tribe of Levi, for example, is still responsible for maintaining Jewish religious customs and teachings.

The prophecy that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah also continues to be a significant part of Jewish belief. Christians also believe that Jesus, who they consider the Messiah, was from the tribe of Judah.

Ending Note

In conclusion, the 12 tribes of Israel chart is a powerful reminder of the rich and complex history of the Jewish people. This chart visually represents the twelve tribes and their unique roles within Israel, serving as a symbol of the unity and diversity of the Jewish people.

While the twelve tribes of Israel no longer exist as separate entities, their legacy continues to live on. A chart is a valuable tool for understanding Israel's history and culture and connecting with the Jewish identity.

The chart shows how the tribes were divided geographically and how they contributed to Israel's development over time. We can also understand the role of the tribes in the organization of Israel's military and their religious traditions.

Furthermore, the chart serves as a reminder of the prophesied coming of the Messiah from the tribe of Judah. This prophecy continues to be a significant part of Jewish and Christian beliefs.

Overall, the 12 tribes of Israel chart offers a comprehensive and informative look into the history and culture of the Jewish people. It serves as a reminder of the critical legacy of these tribes and their contribution to the development of Israel and as a tool for understanding and appreciating the rich and complex history of the Jewish people.