The children of Israel refers to the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28). Jacob’s twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, and their descendants are collectively referred to as the children of Israel throughout the Old Testament.
The twelve tribes of Israel originated from the twelve sons of Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis 29:31-30:24, 35:16-18). Jacob also had a daughter named Dinah (Genesis 30:21).
Each tribe was allotted land in Canaan except the tribe of Levi, who were set apart to serve as priests (Joshua 13-19). The majority of the Old Testament focuses on the children of Israel, God’s chosen people. Key events include:
- The Exodus – God delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai (Exodus 1-24)
- The Conquest – The Israelites conquered and settled the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 1-24)
- The Judges – Israel was led by judges until the establishment of the monarchy (Judges 1-21)
- The Kings – Saul, David and Solomon ruled over a united kingdom until its division into Israel and Judah (1 Samuel – 1 Kings 11)
- The Exile – God sent Israel into exile for their disobedience. Judah was later restored to the land (2 Kings 17, 25)
Within the Old Testament, the children of Israel experienced times of blessings and rebellion. God sent prophets to warn and instruct them. Through it all, God remained faithful to His chosen people in preparation for the coming Messiah.
In the New Testament, those who have faith in Jesus Christ are called children of God and included as spiritual descendants of Abraham (Romans 4; Galatians 3:29). God’s plan of redemption through the children of Israel laid the foundation for Jesus to offer salvation to the entire world.
The Origins of the Twelve Tribes
As mentioned, the twelve tribes trace their lineage back to the twelve sons of Jacob. Here is a brief overview of their origins:
Reuben
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:32). He slept with Bilhah, one of his father’s concubines, and so lost his birthright (Genesis 35:22, 49:3-4). The tribe of Reuben settled east of the Jordan River (Joshua 13:15-23).
Simeon
Simeon was the second son born to Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:33). The Simeonites received land within the territory of Judah (Joshua 19:1-9).
Levi
Levi was another son of Leah and Jacob (Genesis 29:34). The Levites became the priestly tribe, scattered throughout Israel to serve in the tabernacle and temple (Numbers 1:47-54).
Judah
Judah was the fourth son of Leah (Genesis 29:35). His descendants received the Promised Land south of Jerusalem (Joshua 15). King David and ultimately Jesus Christ came from the tribe of Judah.
Zebulun
Zebulun was Leah’s sixth son (Genesis 30:19-20). The tribe of Zebulun inherited land in the Galilee region (Joshua 19:10-16).
Issachar
Issachar was another son of Leah and Jacob (Genesis 30:17-18). The Issacharites were allotted territory south of the Sea of Galilee (Joshua 19:17-23).
Dan
Dan was the fifth son of Jacob, born to Bilhah, Rachel’s maid (Genesis 30:1-6). The Danites lived along the southern coast near Philistia (Joshua 19:40-48).
Gad
Gad was the first son of Zilpah, Leah’s maid (Genesis 30:9-11). The tribe of Gad settled east of the Jordan River (Joshua 13:24-28).
Asher
Asher was another son of Zilpah (Genesis 30:12-13). The Asherites lived along the Mediterranean coast (Joshua 19:24-31).
Naphtali
Naphtali was the second son of Bilhah (Genesis 30:7-8). The Naphtalites were allotted land in the northernmost part of Galilee (Joshua 19:32-39).
Joseph
Joseph was the firstborn son of Rachel, Jacob’s favored wife (Genesis 30:22-24). His sons Ephraim and Manasseh became tribes in their own right, receiving land on both sides of the Jordan (Joshua 16-17).
Benjamin
Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16-18). The Benjamites lived between Ephraim and Judah (Joshua 18:11-28).
From these origins developed the twelve tribes that made up the nation of Israel. God worked mightily through this family line to accomplish His redemptive plan.
The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
After the death of Joseph, the children of Israel multiplied greatly in number during their sojourn in Egypt. A new Pharaoh came to power who oppressed the Israelites and enslaved them (Exodus 1). God heard their cries and called Moses to deliver them out of bondage (Exodus 3). Through a series of plagues, God forced Pharaoh to let His people go.
The Israelites left Egypt during the Exodus around 1446 BC, crossing the Red Sea and journeying into the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 12-15). God made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, giving them the Ten Commandments and the Law to follow (Exodus 19-24).
The children of Israel rebelled against God and refused to enter the Promised Land, instead wandering in the wilderness for 40 years until that generation died off (Numbers 13-14). God still provided manna and quail for them to eat (Exodus 16).
Even amid their complaints and disobedience, the Israelites were organized, numbered and prepared for nationhood according to their tribes (Numbers 1-4). The Levites were consecrated as priests (Numbers 8). God was faithful through this period of Israel’s immaturity.
Conquest and Settlement of Canaan
After Moses’ death, Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan River to begin conquering Canaan (Joshua 1-5). The walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites marched around them for seven days (Joshua 6). The Gibeonites tricked Israel into making a treaty with them (Joshua 9).
The conquest continued against five Amorite kings at Gibeon (Joshua 10) and a coalition of northern city-states at Merom (Joshua 11). The land was then allotted among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 13-19). Cities of refuge were established for those guilty of manslaughter (Joshua 20).
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, while the other nine and a half tribes lived in Canaan proper (Joshua 22). Joshua’s final exhortation was to serve the Lord wholeheartedly (Joshua 23-24).
This period saw the tribes unified in conquering the Promised Land together. They remained faithful during Joshua’s leadership but turned away quickly under his successors.
The Period of the Judges
After Joshua’s generation died, the Israelites fell into idolatry and sin (Judges 2:10-13). As punishment, God allowed enemy nations to oppress them. When Israel cried out, God sent judges as deliverers (Judges 2:16).
Some of the well-known judges included:
- Othniel, who defeated Cushan-Rishathaim (Judges 3:7-11)
- Ehud, who killed Eglon, king of Moab (Judges 3:12-30)
- Deborah and Barak, who overthrew Jabin and Sisera (Judges 4-5)
- Gideon, who defeated the Midianites with just 300 men (Judges 6-8)
- Jephthah, who made a rash vow but delivered Israel from the Ammonites (Judges 11-12)
- Samson, whose might was unmatched though he was undone by Delilah (Judges 13-16)
These leaders came primarily from different tribes, showing God’s provision across tribes. But the Israelites descended into moral chaos by the end with tribes fighting each other (Judges 19-21).
The United Monarchy
The prophets Samuel and Nathan worked to turn Israel back to God. Due to the people’s insistence, Samuel anointed Saul from the tribe of Benjamin as the first king over Israel (1 Samuel 8-12). Saul disobeyed God and was rejected in favor of David from the tribe of Judah (1 Samuel 13-16).
David was chosen by God as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). He conquered Jerusalem and made it his capital over a united kingdom of Israel (2 Samuel 5-8). His son Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem, reigning during a period of peace and prosperity (1 Kings 1-11).
The tribes were united under David’s kingship. Solomon’s extensive building projects forced him to place heavy burdens on the northern tribes, sowing seeds of future discord after the kingdom split.
The Divided Kingdom Era
After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam refused to lighten taxes and forced labor on the northern tribes. As a result, Israel rebelled and seceded from Judah around 930 BC following the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon (1 Kings 12).
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was comprised of ten tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim and Manasseh. The Southern Kingdom of Judah contained the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
In the north, all nineteen kings “did evil in the sight of the Lord.” Idolatry eventually led God to allow Assyria to conquer and exile the northern tribes around 722 BC (2 Kings 17). People from other nations were resettled in the former territory of Israel.
Some good kings sought to follow the Lord in Judah, including Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. But Judah also fell into idolatry and was carried off into Babylonian captivity around 587 BC (2 Kings 25). Only a remnant later returned to the land under leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.
The divided kingdoms era highlights both the far-reaching consequences of sin as well as God’s faithfulness to preserve His people.
Intertestamental History
After the Old Testament closes, Persia rose to power and allowed Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem, including the second temple. Greece later dominated under Alexander the Great before the Romans took control in 63 BC.
During the 400 year intertestamental period, Jews spread throughout the Roman Empire and were often persecuted for their faith. Political divisions also caused infighting. The Pharisees and Sadducees emerged as leading sects.
Yet through it all, the children of Israel never lost their ethnic identity. God preserved the Jewish people, fulfilling His promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). The stage was set for the coming Messiah.
Jesus and the New Covenant
When Jesus arrived, John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Though rejected by Jewish religious leaders, Jesus established a new covenant in His blood, fulfilling the sacrificial system.
Believers in Christ become spiritual children of Abraham by faith: “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). All tribes, tongues and nations can partake of the blessings promised to Israel through trusting in Jesus (Revelation 5:9).
God used the children of Israel to bring the Redeemer into the world. Now redeemed Jews and Gentiles alike become God’s children by faith in Christ, awaiting the final restoration of all things.
Twelve Tribes in Revelation
In Revelation 7, twelve thousand people from the twelve tribes of Israel are sealed as God’s servants during the coming tribulation: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. The order differs, with Dan and Ephraim excluded for apparent unfaithfulness.
The priestly tribe of Levi is included, as well as Joseph and Manasseh counted separately. These sealed Jews will carry God’s message during the end times tribulation period. God still has a plan and purpose for ethnic Israel.
Lessons for the Church
The history of ancient Israel provides many lessons for the church today. We see the faithfulness of God in preserving a people for Himself. We also observe the high cost of disobedience and turning from the Lord.
God desires holiness and wholehearted devotion from His people. We must walk in humility, trusting in the Lord rather than our own wisdom or abilities. God will complete the good work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).
As descendants of Abraham by faith, we now spread the Gospel to people of every tribe and nation. God’s redemptive plan for the children of Israel extends through Jesus Christ to the entire world.
