There is a theory that some theologians think that the names of the sons of Jacob can form a sentence to gain some kind of hidden message. This has been suggested, because almost every name in the Bible has a meaning, and every time the names of the twelve tribes are listed, they are never in the same order.

The 12 tribes appear only once in birth order. [Gen. 29:31-30:24]

To complicate this matter, there are actually 13 tribes called by 14 different names. Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Jacob blessed in place of Joseph. So there was no longer a tribe of Joseph, but the two half -tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim. To continue to have twelve tribes, Levi, who received no land, is often missing from the lists.

In the famous 144,000 prophecy in the Revelation chapter 7, the tribes are listed. Everyone has noticed that there is some strangeness about the tribes listed. Dan is missing. Joseph is listed, but so is Manasseh, one would think that Ephraim would also be listed also but he is left off as well, and Levi who is usually left off, is present.

Here they are in the order they are in The Revelation 7, we have added Ephraim and Dan so you know what their names mean.

If you want to play with these names we suggest that you put them on little sticky notes so they can be easily rearranged as they appear in the different passages. (have fun waisting time, there just aren’t enough verbs to make clear sentences)

These are the passages where the tribes are listed out

Jacob’s Blessing Gen. 49

List of the son who went down the Egypt Ex. 1:1-4

The Heads of Houses of the Tribes Ex. 6:14-25

The census Num. 1:1-54

The order of the camp in the wilderness Num. 2:1-34

The twelve offerings to consecrate the Tabernacle. Num. 7:11-83

The order in which they broke camp Num. 10:11-28

The leaders of the tribes Num. 13:3-16

The census after the plague Num 26:5-51

The curse and the blessing of Mount Gerizim and Ebal Deut. 27:12-13

The genealogy 1Chr. 2:1-2

Enrolling the tribes into the Book of the Kings 1Chr. 5:1- 8:40

The prophecy of Ezekiel Ezek. 48:1-35