The Tribe of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traces its lineage to Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe's history and familial divisions are intricately woven into the narrative of the Israelites, as recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Genealogical Background

Simeon was born to Jacob and Leah, as recorded in Genesis 29:33: "Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, 'Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.' 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.

Census and Families

The families of the Tribe of Simeon are detailed in the censuses recorded in the Book of Numbers. During the first census in the wilderness, the tribe numbered 59,300 men able to go to war (Numbers 1:23). However, by the time of the second census, their numbers had decreased significantly to 22,200 (Numbers 26:14), marking the tribe as the smallest among the Israelites at that time.

The families of Simeon are listed in Numbers 26:12-14: "The descendants of Simeon by their clans were: through Nemuel, the Nemuelite clan; through Jamin, the Jaminite clan; through Jachin, the Jachinite clan; through Zerah, the Zerahite clan; through Shaul, the Shaulite clan." These families represent the primary divisions within the tribe, each named after a son or descendant of Simeon.

Inheritance and Territory

The Tribe of Simeon initially received its inheritance within the territory of Judah, as described in Joshua 19:1: "The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon, and their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah." This arrangement was due to the large size of Judah's allotment, which allowed Simeon to settle in the southern part of the land.

The cities and villages allocated to Simeon are listed in Joshua 19:2-8, including Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, and others. This territory, however, was not a separate, contiguous region but rather scattered settlements within Judah's borders.

Historical Context and Role

Throughout biblical history, the Tribe of Simeon played a less prominent role compared to other tribes. Their integration into Judah's territory may have contributed to their diminished influence and eventual assimilation. The tribe's decline is further evidenced by their reduced numbers in the second census and their limited mention in later biblical narratives.

Despite their smaller size and influence, the Tribe of Simeon remained part of the collective identity of Israel. Their account is a testament to the complex dynamics and shifting fortunes of the tribes as they settled in the Promised Land and sought to establish their place within the covenant community.Numbers 26:12-13
The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... portions or of the whole of the Old Testament by private families was common ...
colonisation in that direction, especially on the part of the tribe of Simeon. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

The History of Joseph the Carpenter.
... son of David, whose spouse Mary was, was of the tribe of Judah. ... Now Justus and Simeon,
the elder sons of Joseph, were married, and had families of their ...
/.../unknown/the history of joseph the carpenter/the history of joseph the.htm

The Israelites
... and it may be that the name of the tribe of Benjamin ... have been "the sons" of Reuben
or Judah, of Simeon or Gad ... But they were all families within a single family ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Tradition attributed the misfortunes of the tribe to the ... on other occasions Levi
or Simeon was omitted ... comprised many powerful and wealthy families; Dan, on the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... In this more favorable environment their families and their ... To a chief of a northern
tribe of Napthali ... The southern tribes of Judah and Simeon were apparently ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... again proposed the lot to the several families thereto belonging ... Now in the lot of
this tribe there were the ... The lot of Simeon, which was the second, included ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... body to the invading hosts; but the range of mountains which forms its backbone
subdivides it into isolated districts, and by thus restricting each tribe to a ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Paul Before his Conversion.
... as a son of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin ... John and Mark, Barsabbas and Justus,
Simeon and Niger ... the cognomen of several distinguished Roman families, as the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 30 paul before his.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... The Treres were probably the predominating tribe among the people which had come ...
a vast encampment in which the warriors could leave their families and their ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... Either Jacob's sons consider their tribe already the Israel ... But Delitzsch very properly
adds: "Simeon and Levi have ... in thy seed shall all the families of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Who was Simeon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Simeon? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Levi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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