Simeon

After Simeon and Levi slaughtered an entire city to avenge their sister Dinah, Jacob prophesied that their descendants would be scattered. Simeon's tribe was eventually absorbed into Judah's territory and nearly vanished from history.

The tribe of Simeon, descended from Jacob’s second son, joined with Levi in the violent massacre at Shechem to avenge the rape of their sister Dinah, an act later condemned by their father. In his deathbed blessing Jacob therefore declared that Simeon and Levi would be scattered throughout Israel, a pronouncement understood as both judgment and prophecy. Consequently the tribe received no independent territory; its allotted cities lay scattered inside the borders of Judah, leading to Simeon’s gradual absorption and loss of distinct identity. This outcome is presented in Scripture as the fulfillment of Jacob’s words and as an enduring illustration of the consequences of unrestrained violence within the covenant community.

0:00

Details

Meaning: Hearing
Patriarch: Simeon
Mother: Leah
Territory: Within the territory of Judah in the south
Blessing: I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
Key Figures: Zimri

Key Chapters

Genesis 49 Jacob Blesses His Sons 5 min read This passage shows how unchecked anger can limit our future influence, calling u... Joshua 19 Allotments for Remaining Tribes 6 min read This passage reveals God's faithful care in giving every tribe. Including smalle...

Key Passages

Jacob's Blessing

Genesis 49:5-7

This passage shows how unchecked anger can limit our future influence, calling us to live with greater self-control and grace.

S⁵imeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

⁶ O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. ⁷ Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

Simeon's Allotment

Joshua 19:1-9

This passage reveals God's faithful care in giving every tribe. Including smaller ones like Simeon. Their promised inheritance, assuring us of His personal provision for all.

A¹nd the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

² And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, and Sheba, and Moladah, ³ And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem, ⁴ And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah, ⁵ And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah, ⁶ And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages: ⁷ Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages: ⁸ And all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. ⁹ Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

Did You Know?

Simeon's territory was entirely enclosed within Judah's. They were eventually absorbed into Judah.

Jacob's blessing called Simeon 'cruel' because of the massacre at Shechem.

Simeon is the only tribe Moses does not bless in Deuteronomy 33.