In the context of the Bible, "tribesmen" typically refers to the members of the twelve tribes of Israel, descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. These tribes form the foundational social and political structure of the nation of Israel as depicted in the Old Testament. Each tribe is associated with a specific territory in the Promised Land, and they collectively represent the chosen people of God.

Origins and Patriarchs

The tribes of Israel trace their lineage back to the patriarch Jacob, who had twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. These sons became the progenitors of the twelve tribes. Genesis 49 records Jacob's blessings and prophecies concerning each of his sons, which often foreshadow the future characteristics and destinies of their respective tribes.

The Tribal System

The tribal system was central to the identity and governance of ancient Israel. Each tribe maintained its own leadership, land, and responsibilities. The tribes were united under a common covenant with God, as seen in the covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24). The Book of Numbers provides a detailed census of the tribes, highlighting their organization and military capabilities (Numbers 1-2).

Inheritance and Land Allocation

The division of the Promised Land among the tribes is a significant event in Israel's history. The Book of Joshua describes the allocation of land to each tribe, with specific boundaries and cities designated for their inheritance (Joshua 13-21). The Levites, however, were set apart for priestly duties and did not receive a territorial inheritance; instead, they were given cities scattered throughout the other tribes (Joshua 21:1-42).

Tribal Roles and Characteristics

Each tribe had unique roles and characteristics. For example, the tribe of Levi was responsible for religious duties and the maintenance of the Tabernacle (Numbers 3:5-10). Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended, was prophesied to be a leader among the tribes (Genesis 49:10). The tribe of Benjamin was known for its warriors (Judges 20:16).

Unity and Division

The unity of the tribes was often tested. During the period of the Judges, tribal conflicts and alliances were common (Judges 1-21). The establishment of the monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon brought a degree of unity, but after Solomon's reign, the kingdom divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, each comprising different tribes (1 Kings 12).

Prophetic Significance

The tribes of Israel hold prophetic significance in both the Old and New Testaments. Ezekiel's vision of the restored Israel includes a reallocation of land to the tribes (Ezekiel 48). In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation references the twelve tribes in the sealing of the 144,000 servants of God (Revelation 7:4-8).

Cultural and Spiritual Legacy

The tribes of Israel are integral to understanding the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Jewish people and the broader narrative of the Bible. They represent God's covenantal promises and His plan for redemption through the lineage of Judah, culminating in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The tribesmen of Israel, with their diverse roles and histories, continue to be a subject of study and reflection for their enduring impact on biblical history and theology.

The Child Samuel.
... the tabernacle on the hill of Shiloh, with its broad tent-roof of red sheepskins,
as well as the hundreds of little black tents of the tribesmen, some grouped ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child samuel.htm

Jeroboam
... At the same time he won influence with the tribe, by expressing secret sympathy
with his fellow-tribesmen, and he stealthily fostered their discontent until ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jeroboam.htm

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... He spoke before his tribesmen and the army of Samaria and said, "What are these
feeble Jews doing? Will they leave it to God? Will they offer a sacrifice? ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

Concerning the Barbarians Beyond the Danube, who were Driven Out ...
... and was pursued by the herdsman; who, perceiving for the first time that the opposite
bank was inhabited, made known the circumstance to his fellow-tribesmen. ...
/.../chapter xxxvii concerning the barbarians beyond.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... The tribesmen who rallied forty thousand strong on the northern side of the
Plain of Esdraelon represented the great central Hebrew clans. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Judges and Ruth.
... The Work of the Judges. The Judges were raised up as occasion required and were
tribesmen upon whom God laid the burden of apostate and oppressed Israel. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vii judges and ruth.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... But David was so strong and brave, and such a favourite with the tribesmen, that
the king set him over a troop of young men; and whenever Saul went out to fight ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... with the patriarchs. Established there, David was recognised as king by
his fellow-tribesmen, and by them only. No doubt, tribal ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm

Of the Persons Upon whom a Benefit is to be Conferred.
... They therefore act better who bestow their bounty on their tribesmen and clients,
for they bestow something on men, and profit them; but that is not true and ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xi of the persons upon.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... For tribesmen like the Israelites, chafing under their harsh environment and recalling
the prosperity of the land of Egypt, Palestine with its green hills and ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

Tribesmen (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tribesmen (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:14 Out of Ephraim
they came down into the valley; after you, Benjamin ...
/t/tribesmen.htm - 6k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... the latter are those of brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts in relation to nephews
and nieces, cousins of various degrees, including mere tribesmen and even ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Tribulation (43 Occurrences)

/t/tribulation.htm - 24k

Ruler's (13 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:14 Out of Ephraim they came down into the valley; after you, Benjamin,
among your tribesmen; from Machir came down the captains, and from Zebulun ...
/r/ruler's.htm - 10k

Midian (60 Occurrences)
... See KENITES. Again, the tribesmen are named indifferently Ishmaelites and
Midianites (Genesis 37:25, 28, 36 Judges 8:22, 24). They ...
/m/midian.htm - 32k

Micah (54 Occurrences)
... went on until they reached the town of Laish in the extreme North, and deeming it
suitable for the purpose, they returned to report to their fellow-tribesmen. ...
/m/micah.htm - 38k

Midianites (30 Occurrences)
... See KENITES. Again, the tribesmen are named indifferently Ishmaelites and
Midianites (Genesis 37:25, 28, 36 Judges 8:22, 24). They ...
/m/midianites.htm - 21k

Shimei (43 Occurrences)
... After the defeat of Absalom he "came cringing to the king, humbly suing for pardon,
bringing with him a thousand of his Benjamite tribesmen, and representing ...
/s/shimei.htm - 30k

Samaritans (9 Occurrences)
... could still appeal to the tribes Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Asher and Zebulun
(2 Chronicles 30:5, 10, 11, 18); and the presence of these tribesmen is implied ...
/s/samaritans.htm - 16k

Hittites (39 Occurrences)
... Thus, while the Canaanites ("lowlanders"), Amorites (probably "highlanders"), Hivites
("tribesmen") and Perizzites ("rustics") bear Semitic titles, the Hittites ...
/h/hittites.htm - 55k

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