Topical Encyclopedia
The Simeonites are the descendants of Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Simeon, whose name means "heard," was one of the twelve patriarchs of Israel, and his descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Simeon is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, playing various roles in the history and development of the Israelite nation.
Ancestry and Early HistorySimeon was born to Jacob and Leah, as noted in
Genesis 29:33: "And she conceived again, and bore a son, and said, 'Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son also.' So she named him Simeon." The tribe of Simeon is first mentioned in the context of the family of Jacob, who later became known as Israel. The Simeonites, along with the other tribes, descended from Jacob's sons and formed the nation of Israel.
Role in the Exodus and Wilderness WanderingsDuring the Exodus from Egypt, the Simeonites were counted among the tribes of Israel. In the first census recorded in
Numbers 1:22-23, the tribe of Simeon numbered 59,300 men of fighting age. However, by the time of the second census in
Numbers 26:14, their numbers had decreased significantly to 22,200, reflecting a decline in their population during the wilderness wanderings.
The Simeonites were encamped under the standard of the tribe of Reuben, on the south side of the Tabernacle, as described in
Numbers 2:12. They were part of the second group to set out during the Israelites' journeys.
Inheritance in the Promised LandUpon entering the Promised Land, the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.
Joshua 19:1 states, "The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, clan by clan. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah." This arrangement suggests that the Simeonites were somewhat absorbed into the larger and more powerful tribe of Judah, as their allotted land was scattered among Judah's territory.
Historical and Spiritual SignificanceThe Simeonites played a role in various biblical events. In
Genesis 34, Simeon, along with his brother Levi, took vengeance on the city of Shechem for the defilement of their sister Dinah. This act of violence had lasting repercussions, as Jacob later rebuked them for their actions (
Genesis 49:5-7).
In the time of the Judges, the Simeonites joined forces with the tribe of Judah to conquer the Canaanites in their allotted territories (
Judges 1:3). This cooperation highlights the close relationship between the two tribes.
Prophetic and Eschatological ReferencesJacob's prophetic blessing over Simeon and Levi in
Genesis 49:5-7 foretold the scattering of their descendants in Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled as the Simeonites did not possess a distinct, contiguous territory of their own but were dispersed within Judah.
The Simeonites are not prominently mentioned in later biblical prophecies or eschatological passages, suggesting their integration into the broader Israelite community. However, their legacy as one of the tribes of Israel remains significant in the context of biblical history and the unfolding of God's covenant promises to the nation of Israel.
ConclusionThe Simeonites, as descendants of one of the twelve patriarchs, hold a place in the rich tapestry of Israel's history. Their journey from the early days of the patriarchs, through the Exodus, and into the Promised Land reflects both the challenges and the divine providence experienced by the tribes of Israel.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SIMEONITESsim'-e-on-its.
SeeSIMEON.
Strong's Hebrew
8099. Shimoni -- descendant of Simeon... descendant of Simeon. Transliteration: Shimoni or Shimoni Phonetic Spelling:
(shim-o-nee') Short Definition:
Simeonites.
... tribe of Simeon,
Simeonites.
...Library
The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... The writing of Enoch foretold that theSimeonites should corrupt themselves,
and attempt to injure Levi; but they shall not prevail....
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
Thesaurus
Simeonites (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SIMEONITES. sim'-e-on-its. See SIMEON.
Multi-Version Concordance
Simeonites (10 Occurrences).
...Simeonite (3 Occurrences)
... name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman,
was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among theSimeonites...
Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... 2. The Tribe in Scripture: In the wilderness of Sinai theSimeonites camped beside
the Reubenites (Numbers 2:12; Numbers 10:19); it was Zimri, a member of one...
Shephatiah (13 Occurrences)
... father of Meshullam, of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:8). (3) A Benjamite, who joined
David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:5). (4) A prince of theSimeonites in the...
Maachah (19 Occurrences)
... (8) Father of Hanan, one of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:43). (9) Father
of Shephatiah, ruler of theSimeonites under David (1 Chronicles 27:16)....
Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... (8) Father of Hanan, one of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:43). (9) Father
of Shephatiah, ruler of theSimeonites under David (1 Chronicles 27:16)....
Similar (13 Occurrences)
22200 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 22200 (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:14 These are the families
of theSimeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred. (See NAS NIV)....
Zicri (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was
Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of theSimeonites, Shephatiah the son of...
Zerahites (5 Occurrences)
... ze'-ra-hits (ha-zarchi; Codex Vaticanus ho Zarai; Codex Alexandrinus ho Zaraei;
the King James Version Zarhites): (1) A family ofSimeonites (Numbers 26:13)....
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