Israelite Tribes: Answers to Queries #2. Seventy Gentile Nations, Abrahamic Groups, Israelite Clans 14. Question: Yair Davidiy: What Tribe do you Belong to? Answer: There are twelve or thirteen possibilities (when Joseph is divided into Ephraim and Manasseh) out of which four appear the most likley and out of those four the feeling is closer to two. I am publishing the answer to this question since it interests quite a few people and others may learn from it. In principle however we prefer to maintain a low personal profile. Like most people I cannot say for sure which Tribe my family belongs to. My mother was Jewish (Maiden Name "Jacoby") and my father was from Wales. His family name (in Wales) was "Russell-Davis" though in Australia he only used the surname "Davis". Israelite Tribal affiliation goes through the father. Maybe on my father's side my ancestors were not Israelites. This is unlikely but if so I (i.e. my descendants) will presumably be associated with the Tribe amongst whom they dwell and identify with (Ezekiel 47:22) meaning Judah.

We believe however that we are indeed of Israelite descent and my father's family had this belief for some time back. Based on various indications the probabilities include Judah, Simeon, Levi, Dan, and Joseph, but for all I know the reality may actually be one of the other tribes. Judah seems the most likely because: We are Jewish by religion and identify with Judah and seem to get on best with Judah. The name Davis means son of David like Davidson, Davies , etc. In principle David is a popular name so a lot of unrelated people could have received names like "Davis" etc. In reality however the name "Davis" does show an ethnic dimension probably originating in North Wales, now found (as "Davies") more in Southwest Wales, and in the USA (as "Davis") is overwhelmingly concentrated in most of the former "Confederate" States. We may therefore assume that the name has an ethnic connection and there is a legend that it relates back to King David. "Russell" (in "Russell-Davis") is of Norman origin and is a nickname for someone with red hair meaning literally "The Little Red-Head".

"David" had red hair (1-Samuel 16:12 translated as "ruddy") and was nicknamed the "Little One" [1-Samuel 16:11 translated as "youngest"] . Even if we are descended from King David however this is no big deal. David (like Levi) was to have innumerable descendants (Jeremiah 33:22 see "Ephraim" chapter six). The Messiah is to be a descendant of David but apparently through the line of Solomon and if our family really is descended from David then it is more likely to be through one of the other twenty or more sons that David had. [Oh well, you cannot have it all.] If the family really was originally from Judah it lost consciousness of its source and for this too there was a reason. Simeon is a possibility since: Simeon was prominent in Wales where our family comes from. Simeon was associated with the professions of religious scribes and teachers. I was once a scribe and members of our family were often teachers. Simeon was close to Judah (Judges 1:3) and so are we.

Simeon was in the south and our family in the State of Israel has a tendency to gravitate through choice or circumstance in that direction. Simeon had personality characteristics not lacking in our family. Levi is also considered since: My grandfather (on my mother's side) had the Hebrew name "Yosef Levi" which may mean he was a Levite and often people from the same tribe marry with each other. Levi was known for musical talent (but so was David) and this is found in our family though it "jumped over" me. Levi was also a teacher and scholar and these proclivities are found amongst us. Levites (or "Cohens" i.e. Priests also from Levi) mentioned in the Bible have names that are often found amongst males in our family. One of my sons was obliged for a short time to use a pseudonym and the name he received is associated with Levi. The Cohens (Priests) are part of Levi. The Hasmonean (Maccabee) dynasty that once ruled over Judah were a family of Cohens. They usually held the office of High Priest alongside that of King.

I once did a favor for the manager of an Antique Store in Jerusalem. In lieu of payment and without asking he gave me a coin from the Hasmonean Era on which was inscribed in Hebrew, "Yehonatan, High Priest". One of my sons is named Yehonatan so I gave the coin to him. Dan may be the answer since: Dan (along with Simeon) was prominent in Wales and Ireland and though coming from Wales we have often associated with the Irish. Samson came from Dan and characteristics similar to those of Samson are found amongst our males. One of the symbols of Dan was a snake (Genesis 49:17) and all my sons can handle snakes and understand them, one of them received a licence at a young age to catch them for scientific research, another used to give lectures about them. And there are other signs including family links with Denmark and Ireland in which place Dan was dominant. We have some characteristics similar to those of Joseph. We admire Joseph and in part live amongst people from Joseph. We also are interested in the history, great men, and culture of Joseph, identify with Joseph, work for the good of Joseph, and labor for the reconciliation of Joseph with Judah.

This is four choices out of twelve and other possibilities (such as Benjamin) exist but a "gut" inclination would direct me to either Judah or Levi. Nevertheless, One of the other Tribes, for all we know, may be the real answer: Usually a person has some kind of feeling in these matters that is reliable but not always so. I once knew a man who said he was prepared to marry a Jewish girl from anywhere except Hungary but that is what he married. I was also acquainted with a girl who said she was prepared to go out with a member of any community except the Persian one. Naturally her present husband comes from Persia. In other words we do not really know. Various characteristics can be used as guides and so can our own predilections but being certain is another matter. 15. Question: It was prophesied that the Tribe of Asher would "dip his feet in oil". Is there a link to petroleum? Answer: Sheila's Bible Studies: Old Testament Tales - Samson and Delilah and Co Old Testament Tales - Samson and Delilah and Co 1. What tribe did Samson belong to? 2. Why was Samson a Nazirite? 3.

How did Samson lose his wife? 4. Why were the Israelites and the Philistines at war? 5. What has the jawbone of an ass got to do with Samson? 6. What have lions and honey got to do with Samson? 7. Who was Delilah? 8. Why was Samson a prisoner? 9. How did Samson bring down the house? 10. What’s the connection between the tribe of Benjamin and Sodom and Gomorrah? The earliest judges were called by God when God’s people turned to Him for aid. Later judges were more like tribal dynasties, living and dying by the sword. But Samson, the Danite, was called before his birth when God sent an angel to tell his barren mother that she would bear a child (Judges 13). The woman’s husband is unconvinced, but the angel reappears and the woman brings her husband to see him. Samson’s mother follows the rules of a Nazirite (no grapes, no wine, no strong drink, and presumably no cutting her hair) during her pregnancy because the child is going to be a Nazirite. At this time the western tribes lived under Philistine rule.

Samson falls in love with a Philistine woman, Timnah, over his parents’ opposition. Samson doesn’t appear to be too good a judge of character. He deserts Timnah when she tricks him into answering his own riddle (“out of the eater came food and out of the strong came sweetness” Judges 14), and later his beloved Delilah deceives him by making him break his Nazirite vow (by cutting his hair). Timnah’s trickery sends Samson into a rage, precipitating war with the Philistines. According to the Bible, this was in accordance with God’s plan, the Israelites having become far too comfortable in their mixed community. The Philistines demand that the tribes hand over Samson to pay for his crimes, but Samson escapes his bonds and kills a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass, afterwards finding water in the bone to ease his thirst (Judges 15). He then appears to wander the land, sleeping with harlots and causing havoc, till he meets Delilah (Judges 16).

She tries to tempt him into revealing the secret of his strength, and when she cuts his hair, breaking his Nazirite vow, Samson feels himself deserted by God and is taken prisoner. Blinded by the Philistines (and perhaps also by God), Samson is paraded in the temple of Dagon where he calls upon God’s help and pulls the whole building down by breaking its pillars. Troubles continue amongst the tribes of Israel. A travelling Levite on his way from Bethlehemjudah is lured into serving a rich man’s gods for pay instead of serving God (Judges 17). Danites, seeking to increase their land, steal the Levite and the household gods away, setting up a temple in Shiloh (Judges 18). Then another Levite takes a concubine from Bethlehemjudah, spends the night in Gibeah among the tribe of Benjamin (because he’s afraid of the Jebusites who control nearby Jerusalem) only to find himself forced to “share” his concubine with the mob—a very similar mob to that which descended on the angels at Lot’s house in Sodom (Judges 19).

When the concubine’s found dead, the Levite cuts her body into twelve pieces, one for each tribe, as a symbol of how God’s people are fallen. The tribes decide to cut off Benjamin (Judges 20). More battles ensue, but the tribes reunite eventually, handing over the female orphans of Jabesh-Gilead to Benjamin after that town’s apostasy, and giving the Benjaminites their pick of the ritual dancers at Shiloh (Judges 21). The phrase “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes,” repeats like a solemn refrain throughout the book of Judges—these aren’t the stories of what happens when people obey God, but rather, an account what goes wrong when they don’t. Posted by What Are the 12 Tribes of Israel? Find Out Now! | LogosTalk What Are the 12 Tribes of Israel? Find Out Now! Whether you’re studying the Old Testament, researching Middle Eastern history, or taking a trip to the Holy Land, you’re sure to come across talk of the 12 tribes of Israel.

But what are the 12 tribes of Israel, and how do we find out? It’s a good thing we have some awesome reference books to help us with this question. Logos 5 doesn’t just come with a set of shiny new features—it also includes different books that weren’t included in Logos 4 base packages. Logos 5 base packages were dissembled and rebuilt to give you the best library to use with high-tech software. And we’ve added 13 new Bible reference books to Logos 5 base packages , so looking up the 12 tribes of Israel is no problem at all. What should we know about the 12 tribes of Israel? The 12 tribes of Israel are (for the most part) named after the 12 sons of Jacob. Each son became the patriarch of an individual tribe as the nation grew. If I want to know about the specific tribes, I can right click any reference to them and look them up. Let’s start in Deuteronomy 33, where Moses blesses each tribe of Israel.

When we come across a tribe’s name, we’ll right-click it and look it up in the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible —which is now available in base packages Bronze and up! Quick profiles on the 12 tribes of Israel: Judah. The tribe of kings, and the most preeminent of the 12 tribes in the biblical narrative. Judah “prevailed over his brothers,” (1 Chronicles 5:2), and the tribe’s territory included the city of Jerusalem and the holy temple. King David was part of this tribe, and his royal line ruled in Jerusalem from around 1,000 BC until the city fell to Babylonian forces in 586 BC. Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the capital of the Southern Kingdom after the nation divided. Jesus is of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:1–2). Notable tribesmen: Jesus, David, Mary, Solomon, Caleb Reuben. Descended from Jacob’s firstborn, whom Jacob said was as “uncontrolled as water” (Genesis 49:4). The tribe chose not to settle in the Promised Land, and instead asked Moses for some of the territory that they conquered east of the Jordan River.

Moses agreed to this, on the condition that they assist the western tribes in conquering Canaan (Numbers 32:28–32). They did so, but they did not assist the other tribes in battle during the period of judges (Judges 5:16), and the tribe falls into scriptural obscurity. Simeon. The man Simeon (with his brother Levi) slaughtered the men of an entire city to avenge his sister (Genesis 34:25–31). The tribe’s portion of land was within the midst of Judah’s territory (Joshua 19:1); however, Simeon did not grow as rapidly as Judah and seems to have dispersed across multiple territories (1 Chronicles 4:38–43; 2 Chronicles 15:8–9). This is consistent with Jacob’s prophecy concerning Simeon and his brother Levi: “I will disperse them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” Levi. The tribe of the priesthood.

The tribe of Levi stood by Moses (a Levite) during the golden calf incident at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:25–29), and later took their place as ministers to the tabernacle, and later the Temple. Levi had no tribal territory—the Lord was the tribe’s inheritance (Numbers 18:19–20)—though they did receive pasture lands for their cattle (Joshua 21). Levitical duties were extensive (read Leviticus!), but Moses gives a brief summary of their significance in his blessing for the tribe (Deuteronomy 33:8–11). Notable tribesmen: Moses, Aaron, John the Baptist, Barnabas Zebulun. Zebulun doesn’t get very much attention in the Bible. The tribe does boast a strong, loyal fighting force during the days of the judges and King David. In fact, Zebulun had the largest presence in the army that made David king of Israel at Hebron, and they served him with “an undivided heart” (1 Chronicles 12:33). Issachar.

Issachar has even less biblical presence than Zebulun, but the tribe was loyal to Deborah and Barak (Judges 5:15). They’re also remembered as “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Dan. We don’t read much about the man Dan, but we do see his tribe up to no good in the book of Judges. The tribe did not secure their original portion of land (Judges 1:34; 18:1), and instead migrated northward. In the process, they took for themselves other gods (Judges 18:14–17) and set up a new priesthood (Judges 18–20). The tribe later joins Jeroboam in idolatry when the kingdom of Israel divides (1 Kings 12:28–29). Notable tribesman: Samson Gad. Little is said of Gad, the man or the tribe. They, like Reuben, settled east of the Jordan. Asher.

Jacob prophesied that Asher’s tribe would enjoy rich foods (Genesis 49:20), and the tribe went on to possess a region of eastern Galilee which is still known for its olive groves. Naphtali. Naphtali, with Zebulun, is mentioned by the prophet Isaiah in a passage we read often during Christmastime: “For a child will be born to us . . . .” This promise was given concerning the land of Galilee, specifically, the “land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali.” You can read the whole prophecy in Isaiah 9. Ephraim. This tribe is named after Joseph’s son. Joseph received the birthright from Jacob, and instead of just one tribe, he is the ancestor of two (Manasseh is the other). After the kingdom divides, the Northern Kingdom’s capital is in Ephraim’s territory, and the prophets sometimes refer to the entire nation as “Ephraim” (Jeremiah 31:9, Hosea 5:3). Notable tribesmen: Joshua, Samuel Benjamin. This small tribe has played several important roles in Israel’s history.

Benjamin stood against the rest of Israel in a national civil war (Judges 20:14–21:24). Saul, the first anointed king of Israel, was from Benjamin. The tribe was also loyal to David’s descendants when the northern tribes seceded (1 Kings 12:16–24). Notable tribesmen: King Saul, Mordecai, Paul Manasseh. This tribe descended from Joseph’s firstborn son, and uniquely settled on both sides of the Jordan River (Joshua 17:5–6). The eastern settlement is often referred to as the “half-tribe of Manasseh.” Wait—13 tribes of Israel? Kind of. Remember, Levi didn’t receive tribal territory like the other tribes. Also, Joseph’s sons were considered heads of their own tribes—both of which received an inheritance of land. In some lists, Joseph is counted as one of the 12 (Genesis 49; Deuteronomy 33). In others, Levi isn’t counted, and Ephraim and Manasseh are considered distinct tribes.

Here’s the math: 12 tribes – 1 (Levi) – 1 (Joseph) + 1 (Ephraim) + 1 (Manasseh) = 12 tribes Learn more with the Faithlife Study Bible! More insights like this are waiting for you in the Faithlife Study Bible—the world’s largest study Bible. And it’s totally free—get it now! The Bible on The History Channel: What the Bible Says about Samson What the Bible Says about Samson The Man Who Wore Dreadlocks: What The Bible Says about Samson By Betty Miller Pastors Bud & Betty Miller on Samson’s Race Many people who have viewed the TV mini-series of The Bible that débuted in March of 2013 have asked whether Samson was black, like the actor who portrayed him. To answer this we must look at scripture, as the Bible reveals the truth regardless of human suppositions, opinions and ideas. Poetic License Before discussing this topic, we should note that the producers’ motive in filming this series was to better acquaint this generation with the Bible. And I do believe they are accomplishing this.

They kept the theme of this production closely in line with the Bible–showing that Bible stories are real and that the God of the Bible is with His people. It was emphasized that the same God is still here for all who will turn to Him in faith and repentance. Since some are asking if casting Samson as a black man in this series is really in the Bible, we will first respond by stating that most importantly a new generation is learning the amazing stories in the Bible. I applaud them for bringing forth such a challenging work. Almost all Bible movies over the years have taken poetic license with the stories to make them more realistic. However, the additional scenes or changes in interpretation typically are to make the story more appealing to a modern audience. Perhaps the authors of this series wanted to take a nontraditional approach to gain more social and cultural impact with a Samson who wore dreadlocks. However, as a teacher of the Word of God, when people ask me a direct question about the accuracy of something, in all good conscience I feel I should reply forthrightly, especially since BibleResources.org is in the public forum.

Although I have only seen the first two series at this time, I have noted some things that do not line up exactly with the Word of God in the story about Samson. What the Bible Says about Samson Samson was from the Israelite tribe of Dan. According to the Bible, the Danite tribe consisted of the descendants of Dan, a son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant (Genesis 30:40). In the Biblical account, Dan is one of the two children of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid and one of Jacob’s wives, the other child of Bilhah being Naphtali. Some scholars see this as indicating that the authors saw Dan and Naphtali as being not of entirely Israelite origin (being descendants of handmaids rather than of full wives) so I can only presume that may be why they portrayed Samson as black in this movie series; however, the Bible does not say Samson was black, nor that he was not of the Jewish race. This is theory, in my opinion, as the Bible does not tell us what color of skin Samson had. Certainly there is a possibility there were Ethiopians who may have been black who joined the original Israelites.

Moses married one. (Moses’ first wife Zipporah was “Shemitic” (descended of Noah’s son Shem). However, Moses married a second time to a woman from Ethiopia (Kush)–whose name is never mentioned. This can be found in the Bible: Numbers 12:1: And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.) Since the Bible pointed out that Moses married a black woman, it stands to reason if Samson was black, the scripture would have also noted that, even as it did concerning the Ethiopian in the New Testament that Phillip witnessed to. With the mention of the Ethiopian in the New Testament and the one Moses married, this seems further proof that Samson was not black since the scripture did not record it, as in other places in scripture. Some have written us, questioning this portrayal, as it has created some confusion because the scriptures do not say that he was black. Even previous older movie depictions show him as a Caucasian, an Israelite. The Bible tells us he was a Hebrew judge of Israel from the tribe of Dan.

Portraying him as black will not matter for most people’s understanding, but for true students of the Bible it is important to defend the accuracy of the Bible. However, the portrayal of Samson being black does not change the impact of the story of Samson in this movie. Here is what the Bible says about the genealogy of Samson. We want to point you to the entire thirteenth chapter of Judges for the whole story. Judges 13: 2And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. 3And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. 4Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 5For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Samson was that son. Additional Deviations As a defender of the accuracy of the Bible, we can point out other deviations from the scripture in this mini-series story of Samson, as well. The Bible did not say that Delilah cut off his hair. It states that she caused him to sleep (which could have meant she got him drunk) on her lap and then she called a man servant in to shave his head. The seven locks the Bible spoke of were probably braids (Judges 16:19). It also appeared to me in the movie there were more than seven locks on the black man’s head. (The seven locks have a spiritual meaning.) Now it is not a great departure from Scripture to show Delilah cutting his hair as she was the instigator behind the act. However, to be totally accurate, we must acknowledge that the Word of God said that a man shaved his head while he slept in Delilah’s lap. A contributor to his loss of strength could also have been that he broke his Nazarite vow of refraining from drinking alcohol, because he never woke up while his head was being shaved so he must have been in a drunken stupor.

Judges 16 (KJV): 19And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. Other instances in which the producers take poetic license in some scenes stir me to comment, too. I do not approach this casting of Samson from any racist viewpoint, as we have many black brothers and sisters that are wonderful saints of God and they have my utmost respect and admiration. However, because many people who have never read the Bible will believe what they see, they might not understand that Samson was an Israelite and a Hebrew judge of Israel. This is important because of the spiritual types in the Bible. It will not matter for most people’s understanding, but for true students of the Word, it is very important in the understanding of Bible doctrine.

Personally, I think it would have been better if they had not portrayed Samson as black, as it raises more questions than answers, especially since the scripture is silent on this matter and even previous movies portrayed him as a Caucasian Israelite. Another departure from scripture in the movie was the scene that depicted Dagon’s house collapsing immediately after Samson’s eyes were put out. This did not happen right away, but there was a time lapse, as Samson was first taken to the prison house for a time and forced to grind at the mill. (The spiritual lesson we learn from this, is that when one sins, they can end up grinding at the mill of bondage in spiritual blindness.) Later after Samson’s hair began to grow again, he was taken to the house of Dagon where he used his last act of strength to destroy his enemies along with about 3,000 of the Philistines when he pushed on the house’s pillars causing the whole house to collapse. (Go to Judges 16 to read the entire story as recorded in the Bible.) All For God’s Glory I am rejoicing that someone would invest their time and talents to produce and show this great series.

I do not think that it is appropriate to criticize this work because of the lesser scriptural inaccuracies, when overall, so far, they have kept the stories in the Spirit of the Bible. It is better to have an overall knowledge of the Bible than none at all. This generation is in great need of recognizing the God of the Bible and this series acknowledges Him. The bottom line: We all need to learn more about the Bible. Our questions should drive us to read God’s Word to see if videos, movies and sermons line up with the Bible records, instead of solely depending on others to tell us what it says. Bible study is rewarding and fun. God can, and will, reveal to every true seeker the answers we are seeking if we will begin to read and study the Bible. In regard to The Bible series, we praise the Lord for every work that brings glory to God. We pray that the Lord will bless this work to direct people to read the Bible, so they can know the God of the Bible. You can use the Bible search feature at to personally study and search the Bible for topics of your interest in several different translations.

Copyright (c) 2013 – Christ Unlimited Ministries – If this message has been a blessing to you and you would like to see more like them posted on this site, you can help make this possible by your gifts to Christ Unlimited Ministries. Donate Betty Miller has written several books on other topics as well. To view titles or purchase those books visit our bookstore . Topic: What the Bible Says about Samson The Twelve Tribes of Israel | Jewish Virtual Library The Twelve Tribes of Israel Tweet The Tribes of Israel are the traditional divisions of the ancient Jewish people. Biblical tradition holds that the twleve tribes of Israel are descended from the sons and grandsons of the Jewish forefather Jacob and are called "Israel" from Jacob's name given to him by God. The twelve tribes are as follows: Reuben , Simeon , Judah , Issachar , Zebulun , Benjamin , Dan , Naphtali , Gad , Asher , Ephraim and Manasseh .

The story of the twelve tribes begins when Jacob and his family went down to Egypt as "70 souls" In Egypt "the Israelites were fertile and prolific; they multiplied and increased very greatly," and there they became the "Israelite people." Following the death of Joseph - one of Jacob's sons who had become viceroy of Egypt - Pharoah oppressed the Israelites by placing upon them burdensome labor. Map of the Twelve Tribes Click on any tribe for more information God "remembered His covenant with Abraham , with Isaac , and with Jacob ," made Himself known to Moses and rescued the Israelites from Egypt. By this time the nation numbered "600,000 men on foot" which is usually understood to be military-aged men excluding women and children. At Mount Sinai, the Israelite nation is given its laws and regulations - the Torah - and affirms their covenant with God. After wandering for 40 years in the desert under the leadership of Moses , the twelve tribes enter the land of Canaan with Joshua in command. After conquering the land, each tribe was allotted an individual territory to settle.

During this period of settlement, and the subsequent period of the Judges , there was no predetermined pattern of leadership among the tribes though various crises forced the tribes into cooperative action against enemies. Shiloh served as a sacral center for all the tribes, housing the Ark of the Covenant under the priestly family of Eli. Under the impact of military pressures, the Israelites felt compelled to turn to Samuel with the request that he establish a monarchy, and Saul was crowned to rule over all the tribes of Israel. Upon his death, Saul's son was accepted by all the tribes as the new king, save Judah and Simeon who preferred David . David's struggle with the house of Saul ended in victory for him and all the elders turned to David for royal leadership. He ruled from Hebron and later Jerusalem over all the tribes of Israel and following his death was succeeded by his son, Solomon . After the death of Solomon , the tribes once again split along territorial and political lines, with Judah and Benjamin in the south loyal to the Davidic house and the rest of the tribes in the north ruled by a succession of dynasties.

Modern scholarship does not generally accept the biblical notion that the twelve tribes are simply divisions of a larger unit which developed naturally from patriarchal roots. This simplistic scheme, it is felt, actually stems from later genealogical speculations which attempted to explain the history of the tribes in terms of familial relationships. The alliance of the twelve tribes is believed to have grown from the organization of independent tribes, or groups of tribes, forced together for historical reasons. Scholars differ as to when this union of twelve took place and when the tribes of Israel became one nation. One school of thought holds that the confederation took place inside the country toward the end of the period of the Judges and the beginnings of the Monarchy. All of the traditions which see the twelve tribes as one nation as early as the enslavement in Egypt or the wanderings in the desert are regarded as having no basis in fact. This school recognizes in the names of some of the tribes the names of ancient sites in Canaan, such as the mountains of Naphtali , Ephraim , and Judah , the desert of Judah , and Gilead . With the passage of time, those who dwelt in these areas assumed the names of the localities.

Others feel that the tribes descended from the matriarch Leah - namely Reuben , Simeon , Levi , Judah , Zebulun and Issachar - existed at an earlier stage as a confederation of six tribes whose boundaries in Canaan were contiguous. Only at a later stage did other tribes penetrate the area, eventually expanding the confederation to twelve. A second school grants that the union of twelve existed during the period of wanderings in the desert, but that Canaan was not conquered by an alliance of these at any one time. Rather, there were individual incursions into the land at widely separated periods. However, the covenant among the twelve tribes and their awareness of national unity flowing from ethnic kinship and common history, faith, and sacral practices had their source in the period prior to the conquest of the land. The number twelve is neither fictitious nor the result of an actual genealogical development in patriarchal history. It is an institutionalized and conventionalized figure which is found among other tribes as well, such as the sons of Ishmael , of Nahor, of Joktan , and Esau .

Similar organizational patterns built about groups of twelve, or even six, tribes, are known from Asia Minor, Greece and Italy . In Greece , such groupings were called amphictyony, meaning "to dwell about" a central sanctuary. Each tribe was assigned a prearranged turn in the provision and maintenance of the shrine. The amphictyonic members would make pilgrimages to the common religious center on festive occasions. The exact measure of correspondence between the amphictyony of the Hellenic world and the duodecimal structure of the tribes of Israel may be the subject of scholarly controversy, but there can be little doubt that this pattern of twelve attributed to the Hebrew tribes is very real and historically rooted. Thus, if one tribe were to withdraw from the union or to be absorbed into another, the number twelve would be preserved, either by splitting one of the remaining tribes into two or by accepting a new tribe into the union. For example, when the tribe of Levi is considered among the twelve tribes, the Joseph tribes are counted as one. However, when Levi is not mentioned, the Joseph tribes are counted separately as Manasseh and Ephraim .

For the same duodecimal considerations, Simeon is counted as a tribe even after having been absorbed into Judah , and Manasseh even after having split in tw, is considered one. The confederation of the twelve tribes was primarily religious, based upon belief in the one "God of Israel" with whom the tribes had made a covenant and whom they worshiped at a common sacral center as the "people of the Lord." The Tent of Meeting and the Ark of the Covenant were the most sacred objects of the tribal union and biblical tradition shows that many places served as religious centers in various periods. During the desert wanderings, "the mountain of God," that is, Sinai or Horeb, served as such a place, as did the great oasis at Kadesh-Barnea where the tribes remained for some time and from where the tribes attempted a conquest of the land. Many sites in Canaan are mentioned as having sacred associations or as being centers of pilgrimage. Some of these, such as Penuel , where Jacob received the name Israel, Beth-El , where the Ark rested, and Beer-Sheba , go back to patriarchal times.

Jacob built an altar at Shechem and the tribes gathered there "before the Lord" and made a covenant with Him in Joshua's time. Shiloh enjoyed special importance as a central site for the tribes. There they gathered under Joshua to divide up the land by lot, and it was there that they placed the Tent of Meeting and the Ark of the Covenant . Eli's family, which traced its descent from Aaron , the high priest, served at Shiloh, and it was to Shiloh that the Israelites turned for festivals and sacrifices. The multiplicity of cultic places raises the question of whether all twelve tribes were actually centered about one amphictyonic site. It may be that as a tribe's connections with the amphictyony were weakened for various reasons, the tribe began to worship at one or another of the sites. Possibly, different sites served the several subgroups among the tribes. Beer-Sheba and Hebron , for example, served the southern groups of tribes; Shechem , Shiloh , and Gilgal were revered by the tribes in the center of the country; and the shrine at Dan served the northern tribes.

The likelihood of a multiplicity of shrines is strengthened by the fact that clusters of Canaanite settlements separated the southern and central tribes and divided the central tribes from those in Galilee . It is possible that various shrines served different tribes simultaneously, while the sanctuary which held the Ark of the Lord was revered as central to all twelve. The changes which occurred in the structure of the twelve tribes and in their relative strengths, find expression in the biblical genealogies. The tribes are descended from four matriarchs, eight of them from the wives Leah and Rachel , and four from the handmaids Bilhah and Zilpah . It is a widely held view that attribution to the two wives is indicative of an early stage of tribal organization, the "tribes of Leah" and the "tribes of Rachel." The attribution of four tribes to handmaids may indicate either a lowered status or late entry into the confederation. In the list of the twelve tribes, Reuben is prominent as the firstborn, followed by Simeon , Levi , and Judah , the sons of Leah , who occupy primary positions.

Reuben stood at the head of a tribal league and had a position of central importance among his confederates prior to the conquest of the land. On the other hand, the same tribe is inactive during the period of the Judges - it did not provide any of the judges and during Deborah's war against Sisera , Reuben "sat among the sheepfolds" and did not render any aid. Possibly, because this tribe dwelt on the fringes of the land, its links with the others were weakened and its continued existence as one of the tribes of Israel was in jeopardy. Simeon was absorbed by Judah . Levi spread throughout Israel as a result of its sacral duties. Judah was cut off from the rest of the tribes by a Canaanite land strip that separated the mountains of Judah and Ephraim. Reuben's place as head of the twelve tribes was taken by the house of Joseph which played a decisive and historic role during the periods of the settlement and the Judges. Joshua came from the tribe of Ephraim . Shechem and Shiloh were within the borders of the house of Joseph. Samuel came from the hill country of Ephraim.

Ephraim led the tribes in the war against Benjamin over the incident of the concubine in Gibeah. At the beginning of the Monarchy, the leadership passed to Judah . The passage in I Chronicles 5:1–2 illustrates well how the dominant position among the tribes passed from Reuben to Ephraim and from Ephraim to Judah. Each of the twelve tribes enjoyed a good deal of autonomy, ordering its own affairs after the patriarchal-tribal pattern. No doubt there were administrative institutions common to all the tribes, situated beside the central shrines, though information about them is exceedingly scanty. During the desert wanderings, leadership of the people was vested in the princes of each of the tribes and the elders who assisted Moses . They met and legislated for the entire people. There are references to meetings of tribal leaders and elders during the periods of the settlement and the Judges. "The princes of the congregation, the heads of the thousands of Israel" along with Phinehas the priest, conducted negotiations with the Transjordanian tribes, in the name of the entire nation. Joshua summoned "the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel" to make a covenant in Shechem.

The elders of Israel, speaking for the entire nation, requested Samuel to appoint a king. The incidents of the concubine in Gibeah and Saul's battle with Nahash the Ammonite are classic examples of joint action taken by the league of twelve tribes acting "as one man, from Dan even to Beer-Sheba, with the land of Gilead". In the one case, unified action was taken by the tribes against one of their members, Benjamin, for a breach of the terms of the covenant. The war against Nahash the Ammonite proves that the tribes were required to come to the aid of any one of the league that found itself in difficulty. Because of the sacral nature of the league, the wars of the tribes were considered "wars of the Lord". Nevertheless, the narratives in the Book of Judges regarding the battles which Israel waged against its enemies make it clear that the league must have been rather weak in those days. The consciousness of national and religious unity had not yet led to a solid politico-military confederation. The Song of Deborah gives clear expression to the lack of solidarity among the tribes, for some of them did not come to the aid of the Galilean tribes.

It is impossible to designate even one war against external enemies during the period of the Judges in which all the tribes acted in concert. Indeed, there are indications of intertribal quarrels and disputes. In this connection, there are scholars who hold that the judge-deliverers were not pantribal national leaders, but headed only individual tribes, or groups of them. It was only toward the end of the period of the Judges when the Philistine pressure on the Israelite tribes increased in the west and that of the Transjordanian peoples in the east, that the religionational tribal confederation assumed political and military dimensions. The Israelite tribes then consolidated as a crystallized national-territorial entity within the framework of a monarchical regime. David, Solomon, and afterward the kings of Israel and Judah tended to weaken tribal consciousness in favor of the territorial and monarchical organization. It is apparent, however, from Ezekiel's eschatological vision that the awareness of Israel as a people composed of twelve tribes had not, even then, become effaced. Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica . © 2008 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved. B.

Luther, in: ZAW, 21 (1901), 37ff.; E. Meyer, Die Israeliten und ihre Nachbarstaemme (1906), 498ff.; W.F. Albright, in: JPOS , 5 (1925), 2–54; A. Alt, Die Landnahme der Israeliten in Palaestina (1925); idem, in: PJB , 21 (1925), 100ff.; idem, in: E. Sellin Festschrift (1927), 13–24; Alt, Kl Schr, 2 (1953), 1–65; M. Noth, Das System der Zwoelf Staemme Israels (1930), 85–108; W. Duffy, The Tribal History Theory on the Origin of the Hebrews (1944); Albright, Arch Rel, 102–9; C.V.

Wolf, in: JBL , 65 (1946), 45–49; idem, in: JQR , 36 (1945–46), 287–95; Noth, Hist Isr, 53–137; Bright, Hist, 142–60; R. Smend, Yahweh War and Confederation (1970). IN THE AGGADAH: Ginzberg, Legends, 7 (1938), 481 (index), S.V. Love The Lord Judges Lesson 16 JUDGES LESSON 16 We will begin this lesson in Judges 14:1 "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines." Even though this was in the tribal territory of Dan, we know this is in the hands of the Philistines at this time. We remember, from the previous lesson that the children of Israel had been delivered into the hands of the Philistines by the LORD.

In Judges chapter 13 verse 5, we read that the angel said that Samson would deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. This Philistine woman would not be a choice a Hebrew would make. Judges 14:2 "And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife." It was the custom of the Hebrew families, that the father of the groom to be and the father of the bride to be would make the transaction for marriage. The father of the groom would pay the dowry to the father of the bride. Judges 14:3 "Then his father and his mother said unto him, [Is there] never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well." The father and the mother did not approve of her, because she was not a Hebrew.

They wanted their son to marry someone within the 12 tribes of Israel. They did certainly not want him to marry the daughter of their oppressors, the Philistines. The Hebrews were all circumcised. They believed anyone not circumcised did not belong to God. They did not want their son to marry this woman. They were not opposed to him marrying, just the marriage of someone who was a Philistine. We do not quite understand this, but this too was part of God's plan. Judges 14:4 "But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel." The Nazarite vow had placed Samson in the hands of the LORD. Everything that happened to him was part of God's plan, to destroy the Philistines. Even Samson was, probably, not aware that God had placed this desire in his heart for this Philistine for God's purposes.

Judges 14:5 "Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him." It seemed that Samson, and his parents lived in the hills. Timnath was in a valley. It was well known for its grape vineyards. This lion was between the age of a cub and an adult. It lunges at Samson. Judges 14:6 "And the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done." The spirit of the LORD filled Samson and strengthened him so greatly, that he killed this lion with his bare hands. He did not tell anyone. They, probably, would not have believed anyway. This was to show Samson, himself, how strong he was with the power of God in him. Judges 14:7 "And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well." This is just a time of getting acquainted.

It seemed, as Samson talked to her, he liked her even more. Judges 14:8 "And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, [there was] a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion." This is speaking of another time, after the dowry has been paid, and the transaction finished between the fathers. This is speaking of the lion he had killed with his bare hands on a previous visit to the vineyard. He turned aside at the same vineyard, and the carcase of the lion was there. A swarm of bees had set up in this carcase, and they had even made honey there. Judges 14:9 "And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion." The parents would not have eaten this honey, had they known it came from a carcase of a lion. He and his parents ate this honey.

Judges 14:10 "So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do." This going down of Samson's father to the woman is some sort of preparation for the groom. Perhaps, it was to tell her of his coming. "Samson making a feast" was the wedding feast. This was a custom of the days. Judges 14:11 "And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him." This is saying that, the father, and mother, and 30 companions went out to meet Samson to be part of the wedding party. Judges 14:12 "And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find [it] out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:" "Riddle", in this verse, means hard questions, or dark questions. The sheets, spoken of here, are linen garments worn next to the skin. They might even be called shirts.

Samson had to be a wealthy man to offer such a valuable prize. Judges 14:13 "But if ye cannot declare [it] me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it." Samson feels safe, that they will not be able to give him the solution to the riddle. It is interesting that there were 30 guests and the challenge was for 30 change of garments. Perhaps, it was one for each person there. They have agreed, and want to hear the riddle. Judges 14:14 "And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle." This would be a difficult thing, because no one but Samson knew that he had killed the lion. Surely no one, but Samson, knew of the honey in the carcase of the lion. They could not figure this out.

Judges 14:15 "And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? [is it] not [so]?" Now, it appears, that the people he told the riddle to are Philistines. They have threatened to burn her and her father's house, if she does not find out what the riddle means. They are blaming her for inviting them to the wedding feast. These feasts lasted 7 days. They tried at first to figure out what it was, and when they could not, they threatened the bride, to cause her to find out for them. Judges 14:16 "And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told [it] me.

And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told [it] my father nor my mother, and shall I tell [it] thee?" This is a very good question. He, probably, knows that the Philistines are trying to find out the riddle through her. Judges 14:17 "And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people." We can quickly see that he can put no trust in her. The minute he tells her the riddle. she tells the Philistines. It was on the seventh day in plenty of time for them to win the challenge. Judges 14:18 "And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What [is] sweeter than honey? and what [is] stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle." They answer Samson, just in time to win the challenge.

Their answer is in a form they believe Samson would not recognize, but he quickly lets them know that he knows who told them. The statement "plowed with my heifer" lets them know that Samson is aware his wife told them. Judges 14:19 "And the spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house." This may seem cruel, but we must remember that the LORD sent him to deliver the Israelites out of the hands of the Philistines. Notice, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him. This gave him supernatural strength to kill these 30 Philistines. He took the spoil from the thirty he killed, and gave it to those who had answered the riddle. His anger was against the Philistines, and against his wife, for the treachery his wife had done to please them.

Judges 14:20 "But Samson's wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend." Her parents, probably, thought that Samson would no longer want her as a wife, and gave her to Samson's best man at the wedding. It seemed that, Samson's friend, also, had been a Philistine. It could even have been the one she told the riddle to. Judges 16 Questions 1. The woman that Samson saw in Timnath was a __________. 2. This was the tribal territory of _____. 3. The Israelites, at this time, were in the hands of the __________. 4. Samson was supposed to deliver the children of Israel from the ____________. 5. What did Samson tell his father and mother? 6. What reaction did they have to his choice of women? 7. Who payed the dowry to the girl's father? 8. What did his parents call the Philistines in verse 3? 9. His father and mother knew not that it was of the ________. 10. The __________ _____ had placed Samson in the hands of the LORD. 11.

Where did Samson go when he ran into the lion? 12. What made Samson strong enough to kill the lion? 13. How did Samson kill the lion? 14. Who did Samson tell about the lion? 15. Quote Judges chapter 14 verse 7. 16. When he came back into the vineyard, there was what in the carcase of the lion? 17. Who ate honey with him out of the carcase of the lion? 18. Who made the feast? 19. How many companions did his parents bring to the wedding feast? 20. What did Samson offer them, if they could figure out the riddle? 21. What did they give Samson, if they could not figure the riddle out? 22. What was the riddle? 23. What did the men get Samson's wife to ask him? 24. What did they threaten her with? 25. How long did she weep before him, before he told her the riddle? 26. The minute he tells her the riddle, she _______ ________. 27. How did Samson let them know, he knew she told them? 28.

How many men did he kill in Askelon? 29. Where did he get the garments to pay for his challenge? 30. Who was Samson's wife given to.

Question: To which of the tribes of Israel did Samson belong?
Answer: Dan