Topical Encyclopedia The term "Simeonite" refers to the descendants and members of the tribe of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe traces its lineage back to Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in Genesis 29:33. The Simeonites played a significant role in the history of Israel, both during the wilderness wanderings and in the settlement of the Promised Land.Biblical Origins and Genealogy Simeon, the patriarch of the tribe, was born to Jacob and Leah. His birth is noted in Genesis 29:33: "And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, 'Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son also.' So she named him Simeon." The name "Simeon" is derived from the Hebrew word "shama," meaning "to hear," reflecting Leah's belief that God had heard her plight. Role in the Wilderness and Conquest During the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, the Simeonites were counted among the tribes in the census taken at Mount Sinai. Numbers 1:23 records their number as 59,300. However, by the time of the second census in the plains of Moab, their numbers had decreased to 22,200 (Numbers 26:14), possibly due to the plague that followed the incident at Peor (Numbers 25). The Simeonites were allotted territory within the larger inheritance of the tribe of Judah, as described in Joshua 19:1: "The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, according to its clans. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah." This arrangement suggests a close relationship between the tribes of Simeon and Judah, with the Simeonites eventually becoming somewhat absorbed into the larger and more dominant tribe of Judah. Notable Simeonites One of the most notable Simeonites in the biblical narrative is Zimri, who was involved in the incident at Peor, where he brought a Midianite woman into the Israelite camp, leading to a divine plague (Numbers 25:6-15). This act of disobedience was halted by Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, who executed judgment on Zimri and the woman, thus stopping the plague. Prophetic and Historical Context Jacob's prophetic blessing over Simeon and Levi in Genesis 49:5-7 reflects the turbulent nature of Simeon's descendants: "Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel." This prophecy is seen as fulfilled in the dispersion of the Simeonites within the territory of Judah. Cultural and Religious Contributions The Simeonites, like other tribes, contributed to the religious and cultural life of Israel. They participated in the communal worship and observance of the Law as given through Moses. Despite their eventual absorption into Judah, the Simeonites maintained their identity as part of the twelve tribes of Israel, contributing to the rich tapestry of Israel's history and heritage. Legacy The legacy of the Simeonites is intertwined with the broader narrative of the people of Israel. While their distinct tribal identity may have diminished over time, their role in the early history of Israel and their inclusion in the genealogical records of the tribes underscore their lasting significance in the biblical account. Strong's Hebrew 3291. Yaaqobah -- a Simeonite... 3290, 3291. Yaaqobah. 3292 . a Simeonite. Transliteration: Yaaqobah Phonetic Spelling: (yah-ak-o'-baw) Short Definition: Jaakobah. ... /hebrew/3291.htm - 6k 2536a. Chammuel -- "anger of God," a Simeonite 6701a. Tsurishadday -- "my rock is the Almighty," a Simeonite 3144. Yoshah -- a Simeonite 6221. Asiel -- a Simeonite 4017. Mibsam -- a son of Ishmael, also a Simeonite 3439. Yeshochayah -- a Simeonite 3230. Yamlek -- a Simeonite 8230a. Shiphi -- a Simeonite 4877. Meshobab -- a Simeonite Thesaurus Simeonite (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Simeonite (3 Occurrences). Numbers 25:14 Now the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain ... /s/simeonite.htm - 7k Ziza (4 Occurrences) Uzziel (17 Occurrences) Jedaiah (13 Occurrences) Mishma (4 Occurrences) Shimri (4 Occurrences) Shemaiah (40 Occurrences) Shimei (43 Occurrences) Simeonites (10 Occurrences) Simeon (48 Occurrences) Resources Who was King Zimri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Simeonite (3 Occurrences)Numbers 25:14 Numbers 26:14 1 Chronicles 27:16 Subtopics Related Terms |
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