Tribe — Meaning in the Bible
A large family group descended from one ancestor. Israel's twelve tribes take their names from the sons of Jacob (with Joseph counted as Ephraim and Manasseh).
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Jacob had twelve sons, and their families became the tribes of Israel. Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh were counted as tribes, and Levi received no land. Genesis 35:22–26Genesis 48:5Numbers 1:47–49
The land was divided by tribes. In the New Testament Paul says he is of the tribe of Benjamin, and Anna of the tribe of Asher. Joshua 13:7Philippians 3:5Luke 2:36
Key passages
- Genesis 49:1–28 — Jacob blesses his sons.
- Numbers 1:1–46 — The census by tribes.
- Joshua 13:7 — Land divided among the tribes.
- Revelation 7:4–8 — Twelve tribes listed (a different list).
For children
A tribe is a big family that comes from one person. The twelve tribes of Israel came from Jacob's twelve sons. Genesis 35:22–26