According to Hebrew texts, 12 tribes once occupied the Land of Israel. Formed by descendants of the patriarch Jacob (later ...

The twelve tribes of Israel, therefore, collectively carry the name of their father. Jacob had twelve sons with his four wives. With Leah, he had Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon.

Jacob produced twelve sons, each of whom became the father ... north ruled by a succession of monarchies. The southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin constitute the historical forbears of most ...