The Thirteenth Tribe

Thursday, 7th June 2007

At our recent Ohana Camp, the camp participants were divided into 12 tribes, named after the tribes of Israel.

The 12 tribes of Israel (in alphabetical order) are as follows:

1 Asher
2 Benjamin
3 Dan
4 Ephraim
5 Gad
6 Issachar
7 Judah
8 Manasseh
9 Naphthali
10 Reuben
11 Simeon
12 Zebulun

One common belief is that the 12 tribes were named after the sons of Jacob (or Israel, as he was named later after he wrestled with the angel).

This is not exactly the case because one of Jacob's son -- Joseph -- had a double blessing. The tribes were not named after him, but after his two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh.

In Joshua 17:17-18, we read

17 But Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh-"You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

As a matter of fact, Manasseh was so blessed that they actually occupied two plots of land, one on the west of the Jordan River and one on the east, as can be seen in the diagram.

Another son of Jacob that did not have a tribe named after him was Levi. The descendents of Levi was not allocated any land because God had set them apart to attend to His work (in the tabernacle in the earlier years and in the temple in the latter years). Moses was a Levite, and in particular, his brother Aaron and his descendents were priests.

Because the Levites had no land of their own, and were all in full-time ministry, the firstfruits and tithes that the other tribes had to bring to the LORD (in terms of animals and crops) were meant to provide for them (Num 18:21-26).

This principle still holds true today. The tithe that we give to our church is meant for the Lord's work, and to ensure that those who are in full-time ministry are well provided for.