The answer
There is no doubt about the fact that the Bible refers to the tribes of Israel being twelve. However there are various things to be observed about the names of those tribes since they have been mentioned several time with variations. For example, in (Rev 7), (Num 26), (Gen 26) there is mention sometimes of the name: ‘Joseph’, while at other times ‘Ephraim and Manasseh’ (Joseph’s sons), and on other occasions not mentioning Levi. This makes it appear as if there are 14 tribes although it constantly says 12.
- “Judah ـ Reuben ـ Gad ـ Asher – Naphthali – Manasseh – Simeon – Levi – Issachar – Zebulun – Joseph - Benjamin” (Rev 7: 4 - 8)
- "Reuben – Simeon – Gad – Judah – Issachar – Zebulun – Manasseh – Ephraim – Benjamin – Dan - Asher - Naphthali” (Num 26: 5 - 51)
- “Reuben – Simeon – Levi – Judah – Issachar – Zebulun – Gad – Asher – Joseph – Benjamin – Dan - Naphthali” (Gen: 46: 8-27)
Rev 7 Numbers 26 Genesis 46
1 Reuben Reuben Reuben
2 Simeon Simeon Simeon
3 Levi Levi
4 Judah Judah Judah
5 Issachar Issachar Issachar
6 Zebulun Zebulun Zebulun
7 Joseph Joseph
8 Manasseh Manasseh
9 Ephraim
10 Benjamin Benjamin Benjamin
11 Dan Dan
12 Gad Gad Gad
13 Asher Asher Asher
14 Naphthali Naphthali Naphthali
Total 12 12 12 The actual number of names is 14 … However … there are several points to be noted:
First:
Jacob’s sons were 12. This is the number of tribes mentioned in Genesis 46 when Joseph was mentioned alone.
Second:
The order and names of the tribes was different during different situations …
Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow. (Gen 48: 22).
Jacob allocates to Joseph a double portion in the land, making Joseph two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and he drops Levi from the distribution of land as the tribe would be consecrated for the priesthood and will be distributed in 48 cities in the land (Joshua 21: 41). Thus Manasseh and Ephraim fill the vacancy due to the absence of Levi in the distribution of land. (Numbers 26) As for the Book of Revelation … Joseph is mentioned instead of Ephraim which had more people and Manasseh is mentioned separately. As Moreover, since the Book of Revelation is the Book of the heaven, Ephraim, as a tribe linked to idolatry more than the other tribes, is dropped and the name of his beloved father, Joseph is mentioned instead … Manasseh, on the other hand, is mentioned separately. The tribe of Dan is dropped completely from the Revelation account (Rev 7) since it was the first tribe to become idolatrous. They also went and occupied land that Joshua did not distribute to them in the furthest point in Canaan, making them far away from Jerusalem, the centre of worship.
- In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those
days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for itself to dwell in; for until that day their inheritance among the tribes of Israel had not fallen to them.’ (Judges 18:1)
- Then the children of Dan set up for themselves the
carved image; and Jonathan the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. So they set up for themselves Micah’s carved image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.’ (Judges 18: 30 -31)
Some of the fathers also thought that the anti-Christ will come from the tribe of Dan as prophesied by Jacob …
Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider shall fall backward. (Gen 49: 16-17)
Therefore the tribe of Levi gets mentioned again in Revelation as they no longer have a priestly role with the end of the priesthood of the Old Testament, so they have a place in Heaven for those who have lived with the hope of salvation and redemption. The Bible retains the number of 12 for the tribes representing the complete number like the twelve foundations and twelve gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21). It is the number equivalent to that of the 12 apostles – the pillars of the New Testament.
Fr. Daoud Lamei