Simeon

Simeon

The Tribe of Simeon.

Census. At the time of the migration into Egypt while Joseph was still ruling in Egypt Simeon had six sons. At the Exodus the tribe numbered 59,300 warriors (Num. 1:23), ranking third. When the second census was taken the numbers had decreased to 22,200, and Simeon ranked the least among the tribes (Num 26:14). Some have connected this with the sin of Zimri (Num 25:14).

Position. The Simeonites camped beside the Reubenites (Num 2:12; 10:19) on the south side of the encampment.

Standard. The "camp" that went under the name of Reuben was formed of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. The total number of fighting men in this division (3 tribes) were 151,450.

Journeying. "All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Reuben (Simeon and Gad), one hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty-- they shall be the second to break camp. (Num 2:16).

Representatives. It was Zimri, a member of one of the leading families of this tribe, who was slain by Phinehas in the situation at Baal-peor (Num 25:14).

Interesting Notes. It was Zimri, a member of one of the leading families of this tribe, who was slain by Phinehas in the situation at Baal-peor (Num 25:14). This tribe was not mentioned in Moses' blessing of the nation of Israel (Deut. 33). 1 Chr. 4:28-33 makes it appear that the tribe of Simeon had been assimilated into the tribe of Judah, thus fulfilling Jacob's prophecy (Gen. 49:5-7). Although the descendants of Simeon disappeared as a tribe, Ezekiel mentions it in his prophecies about a future land of Canaan (Ezek. 48:24-25,33). The Book of Revelation also mentions 12,000 of the tribe of Simeon who were sealed (Rev. 7:7).

The Land Division. When the land of Canaan was divided, the second lot fell to Simeon. The tribe received land in the extreme southern part of Canaan, in the middle of Judah's territory (Josh. 19:1-9). Simeon united with Judah in fighting the Canaanites (Judg. 1:1,3, 17). Among the Simeonite cities were Beersheba, Hormah, and Ziklag (Josh. 19:1-9).

The Man Simeon

Heb. Shimohn; "hearing"). The second son of Jacob by Leah:

Gen 29:33 Then Leah conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon.

Simeon was full brother to Reuben, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, the sons of Leah; and his sister was Dinah.

One noticeable situation in Simeon's life was when he and Levi avenged the seduction of their sister Dinah. He was so cruel to the Shechemites that Jacob was fearful of the surrounding people. In obedience, therefore, to his father's command, Simeon moved southward to Bethel (Ex 34; 35:1-4).

Later In the situation with Joseph Simeon was selected by Joseph as a hostage to guarantee the appearance of Benjamin in Egypt (42:24,36) but later he was released (43:23).