Simeon

Simeon

Meaning: "Hearing" - The LORD has heard (Genesis 29:33)

Symbol: Gate like the gate of Shechem (or sword; Genesis 34:24-25)

Stone/Color: Lapis lazuli (or sapphire) / Blue (Exodus 28:18)

Family: Second son of Jacob, born to Leah (Genesis 29:33)

Size: First Census: 59,300. Second Census: 22,200. The size of the tribe significantly decreased over a span of 40 years, between the two censuses. Although the reason is not clear, they possibly suffered more severely from the plagues (Numbers 25) than the other tribes.

Location: Enclave of land in Judah, likely with scattered settlements in Judah. Included Beersheba.

Jacob's Blessing: Along with his brother Levi, Simeon attacked the people of the city of Shechem to avenge the assault of his sister Dinah (Genesis 24:24-31). Jacob rebuked Levi and Simeon saying, “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel. (Genesis 49:5-7)

Moses' Blessing: Moses does not mention the tribe of Simeon.

Notable: When Jacob's sons went to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph imprisoned Simeon as a guarantee that Benjamin, their youngest brother, would be brought to Joseph (Genesis 42-43).

The tribe was known for being shepherds, often migrating in search of pasturelands for their flocks - possibly a fulfillment of Jacob's prophecy that Simeon will be scattered and dispersed (1 Chronicles 4:24-43).

Categories: Bible, Twelve Tribes of Israel