God is beautiful in how he communicates to us. Everything recorded for the benefit of humanity has significance for the time it was written, and down through the ages to our day.
Reuben means ‘behold a son’ is born to us. Leah said, “Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction.” Jacob said before he died: Reuben would not excel because he went up the his father’s bed and defiled it by sleeping with Bilhah – Jacob’s concubine which was Rachel’s handmaid.
Simeon means ‘to hear’. Leah said, “Because the Lord had heard that I was hated (unloved).”
Jacob said before he died: Simeon would be an instrument of cruelty, cursed with anger, violence, and wrathe; his descendant was to be scattered
Levi means ‘joined or to be joined to, attached’. Leah said, “Because I have born him three sons.”
Jacob said before he died Levi was be an instrument of cruelty, cursed with anger, violence, and wrath; his descendants will be scattered.
Judah means ‘praise’ the Lord. Leah said, “Now will I praise the Lord.”
Jacob said before he died: Judah, brothers will praise him, his hand will be on the neck of his enemies, his brothers will bow down to him, and he was a lion’s cub. The Messiah would come from this tribe.
Dan means ‘judge, judging’. Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, gave birth to Dan. Rachel said, “God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice.” Rachel named Bilhah’s son, as though he were her own child.
Jacob said before he died: Dan was promised the role of judge and that he would possess the traits of a snake by the roadside that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backwards.
Dan never took possession of his land inheritance. If fact, his tribe became to first to fall into idolatry (Judges 18:30-31) became so wicked they are not listed as one of the twelve tribes in Revelation.
Naphtali means ‘wrestling, my struggle’. Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, gave birth to Naphtali. Rachel said, “With great wrestlings have I wrestled… and I have prevailed.”
Jacob said before he died: Naphtali would be like a deer let loose and shall use beautiful words. The image presented is of one who springs forth with great speed and provides good news.
Gad means ‘a troop cometh, good fortune’. Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, gave birth to Gad. Leah said, “What good fortune.” Leah named Gad as if he were her own son.
Jacob said before he died: Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels.”
Asher means ‘blessed, happiness’. Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, gave birth to Asher. Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed.”
Jacob said before he died: Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.” Asher was richly blessed with fertile land, this tribe did not behave admirable when the time for action came.
Issachar means ‘wages or hire, reward’. Leah said, “God hath given me my hire.” Leah’s eldest son came across mandrakes (flowering herbs) in the field which were thought to enhance a woman’s fertility. He gave them to his mother, Leah. Leah and Rachel argued over the mandrakes, but came to an agreement. Leah would give Rachel some of the mandrakes as a payment for allowing Leah to sleep with their husband, Jacob. That night, Leah became pregnant with Issachar.
Jacob said before he died: Issachar was likened unto a donkey that would be forced to work, slave labor.
Zebulun means ‘to dwell or honor’. Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have born him six sons.”
Jacob said before he died: Zebulun would dwell near the sea and shall be a haven of ships.
Joseph means ‘to add to’ my family. Rachel finally has a child. Rachel said, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”
Jacob said before he died: Joseph would be fruitful and will increase in numbers. He gave Joseph a double portion of the inheritance. Ephraim (fruitful) and Manasseh (forgetful) were each given one part of the double portion of inheritance and became two of the ‘tribes of Israel’.
Benjamin (Ben-Oni) means ‘son of my right hand, son of righteousness’. Rachel died after giving birth to Benjamin.
Jacob said before he died: Benjamin was likened unto a ravenous wolf, devouring the prey in the morning and dividing the spoil at night…they were fierce warriors.
The Collection of Jacob’s Sons Names
Jacob had twelve sons and their names put together has a message for us. It is amazing how God gives us these wonderful truths in simple names and stories. Here are the names and their meanings:
Reuben – Behold, A Son is born to us
Simeon – One who hears
Levi – Attached
Judah – Praise the Lord
Dan – He judged
Naphtali – My Struggle
Gad – Good fortune
Asher – Happiness
Issachar – Reward
Zebulun – Honour
Joseph – Add to my family
Benjamin – Son of righteousness
This is what the collection of their names says:
BEHOLD, A SON IS BORN UNTO US, ONE WHO HEARS US AND BECAME ATTACHED UNTO US.
PRAISE THE LORD, HE JUDGED OUR STRUGGLE AND BROUGHT US GOOD FORTUNE, HAPPINESS, REWARD, HONOR; HE ADDED US TO HIS FAMILY AND CALLED US THE SONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.