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Person · Tribe of Simeon

Simeon

Jacob's son living at the time of the Patriarchs

Simeon, the second son of Jacob and Leah, was the founder of the tribe of Simeon and played a role in the story of Joseph.

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Also known as Simeonite · Simeonite,Simeon

Simeon was the second son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Leah, born after Reuben (Gen.29.33). He was one of the twelve sons of Jacob who became the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Simeon, along with his brother Levi, took violent revenge against the Shechemites for the rape of their sister Dinah (Gen.34.25-30). This action was condemned by their father, Jacob (Gen.49.5-7).

When Joseph's brothers went to Egypt during the famine, Joseph took Simeon as a hostage until they brought their youngest brother, Benjamin (Gen.42.24,36; 43.23). Simeon was later released and returned to Canaan with his brothers (Gen.46.10).

The tribe of Simeon, descended from Simeon, was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. During the wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Simeon was led by Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai (Num.1.6; 2.12; 7.36; 10.19). The tribe's territory was located within the boundaries of Judah in the Negev (Jos.19.1,9; Jdg.1.3,17).

In later history, some from the tribe of Simeon migrated to Edom during the reign of Hezekiah (1Ch.4.42-43). The tribe is mentioned in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezk.48.24,25,33) and in the list of the sealed from the twelve tribes in Revelation (Rev.7.7).

Family

Father
Israel
Mother
Leah

Connections

Part of: The patriarchal families

Leah's sons and daughter

FamilyStated in the text

Leah bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah. Her sons include the priestly tribe (Levi) and the royal tribe (Judah); Reuben, Simeon and Levi are all set back in Jacob's final words.

Where the text shows it: Gen 29:31-35 — Reuben, Simeon, Levi, JudahGen 30:17-21 — Issachar, Zebulun, DinahGen 49:3-7 — Jacob rebukes Reuben, Simeon and Levi

Sources: Gen 29:31-35 · Gen 30:17-21 · Gen 49:3-7

Simeon and Levi at Shechem: the avenging brothers of Dinah

FamilyStated in the text

After Shechem son of Hamor violated Dinah, Simeon and Levi, her full brothers, tricked the city into circumcision and massacred its males. Jacob condemned it and in his deathbed words scattered both tribes; Levi's later zeal for the LORD (Exod 32) redirected this energy.

Where the text shows it: Gen 34:1-2 — Dinah and ShechemGen 34:25-30 — Simeon and Levi's massacre; Jacob's rebukeGen 49:5-7 — Jacob's dying curse on their angerExod 32:26-29 — Levites act at the golden calf

Sources: Gen 34:1-2 · Gen 34:25-30 · Gen 49:5-7 · Exod 32:26-29

Where Simeon appears

43 verses in 10 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H8095

Genesis10
Exodus2
Numbers11
Deuteronomy1
Joshua5
Judges2
1 Chronicles6
2 Chronicles2
Ezekiel3
Revelation1

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.