Have you ever wondered why, when the tribes of Israel are found listed together in Scripture that one or two names are left out and replaced by the half tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim? Have you ever noticed that the names are rarely listed in the same order? Is there significance to this?

We find in Genesis that the meanings to the names of the tribes of Israel are given to us at their birth. Using the following resources, including several versions of the Bible, I assigned a simple meaning to each name. Then I then went through the scriptures and identified all the places where we find the tribe's names listed together.

When put together, the meanings of the names tell us a story about Christ and His Bride. Each story is similar, yet slightly different because of the different order in the names. How awesome God's Word is, that even the names of His people tell us of God's redemption and love for His Bride.

Resources:

Hebrew Names
Scripture4All
Biblegateway

The idea for this study came from Chuck Missler's article: "The Gospel in Genesis."

Genesis 29-31 - Birth order

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! God has judged (or vindicated) me [for] I have struggled. Good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I [for] God has given me my reward. Now my husband will dwell with me. God has taken away my reproach [by the] Son of the Right Hand.

Genesis 35 - Jacob's sons

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward [and] now my husband will dwell with me. God has taken away my reproach [by the] Son of the Right hand. God has judged (or vindicated) me, for I have struggled. Good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I.

Genesis 46 - Journey to Egypt

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward [and] now my husband will dwell with me. Good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I! God has taken away my reproach [by the] Son of the Right Hand. God has judged (or vindicated) me, [for] I have struggled.

Genesis 49 - Jacob's death bed blessings

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! Now my husband will dwell with me [and] God has given me my reward. God has judged (or vindicated) me [and] good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I. I have struggled, [but] God has taken away my reproach, [by the] Son of the Right Hand.

Exodus 1 - Names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! God has give me my reward [and] now my husband will dwell with me. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me. I have struggled, [yet] good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I, [for] God has taken away my reproach.

Numbers 1:5-16 - Men able to go to war

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward, [and] now my husband will dwell with me. God has taken away my reproach. God has caused me to be fruitful [and] has made me forget my toil. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me. Happy and blessed am I. Good fortune has come, [since] I have struggled.

Who is missing? - Levi

Things to note - Joseph was included in this list, along with his son's names. From this point on Manasseh and Ephraim usually take the place of Joseph and Levi, keeping the number at 12.

Numbers 1:20 - Men numbered in the census

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But] good fortune has come. I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward [and] now my husband will dwell with me. God has caused me to be fruitful [and] has made me forget my toil. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me. Happy and blessed am I, [for] I have struggled.

Who is missing? - Levi and Joseph

Numbers 2 - Camping by his own standard

East Standard

Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)

I will praise the Lord. God has given me my reward [and] now my husband will dwell with me.

South Standard

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved, [but] good fortune has come.

Middle of Camp

Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)

West Standard

Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)

God has cause me to be fruitful [and] has made me forget my toil, [by the] Son of the Right Hand.

North Standard

Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

God has judged (or vindicate) me. Happy and blessed am I [for] I have struggled.

Who is missing? - Joseph

Numbers 7 - Offering to the Lord and Numbers 10 - Departure from Sinai

Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward. Now my husband will dwell with me. The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But] good fortune has come. God has caused me to be fruitful [and] has made me forget my toil. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me. Happy and blessed am I, [for] I have struggled.

Who is missing? - Levi and Joseph

Numbers 13 - Spies sent into Canaan

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. I will praise the Lord! God and given me my reward [and] has caused me to be fruitful. [The] Son of the Right Hand, my husband, will dwell with me. God has made me forget my toil [and] has judged (or vindicated) me. Happy and blessed am I, [for] I have struggled, [yet] good fortune has come.

Who is missing? Levi and Joseph

Numbers 26 - 2nd Census

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But] good fortune has come! I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward, [and] now my husband will dwell with me. God has made me forget my toil [and] has caused me to be fruitful. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me. Happy and blessed am I, [for] I have struggled.

Who is missing? - Levi and Joseph

Numbers 34 - Leaders appointed to divide the land

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction, [and now] good fortune has come. I will praise the Lord! The Lord has heard I was unloved, [but by] the Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me. God has made me forget my toil [and] has caused me to be fruitful. Now my husband will dwell with me. God has given me my reward. Happy and blessed am I.

Who is missing? - Levi and Joseph

Deuteronomy 27 - Moses pronounced curses from Mount Ebal

Blessing the people

Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)

The Lord has heard I was unloved, [so now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward [and] has taken away my reproach [by the] Son of the right hand.

Curses on Mount Ebal

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction, [but] good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I, now [that] my husband will dwell with me. God has judged (or vindicated me) [because] I have struggled.

Who is missing? - Manasseh and Ephraim

Deuteronomy 33 - Moses death bed blessing

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction, [but] I will praise the Lord! My husband will be joined unto me, [who is] the Son of the Right Hand. God has taken away my reproach [and] has caused me to be fruitful, [because] God has made me forget my toil. Now my husband will dwell with me. Good fortune has come [because] God has judged (or vindicated) me. I have struggled, [but] happy and blessed am I.

Who is Missing? - Issachar and Simeon

1 Chronicles 2 - Israel's genealogy

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. I will praise the Lord! God has given me my reward. Now my husband will dwell with me. God has judged (or vindicated) me [and] has taken away my reproach [by the] Son of the Right Hand. I have struggled [but now] good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I.

Who is missing? - Ephraim and Manasseh

1 Chronicles 27 - Military divisions

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Aaron - "Mountain of God" (Exodus 4:27)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction [and] has heard I was unloved. [But now] my husband will be joined unto me. [On the] mountain of God, I will praise the Lord. God has given me my reward, [in that] my husband will dwell with me. I have struggled, [but] God has caused me to be fruitful [and] has made me forget my toil. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me.

Who is missing? - Asher and Gad

Things to note - Manasseh is represented by two half-tribes. Aaron's family is included in the middle of the list.

Ezekiel 48 - Millennial land division

Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil" (Genesis 41:51)
Ephraim - "God has caused me to be fruitful" (Genesis 41:52)
Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)

God has judged (or vindicated) me. Happy and blessed am I. I have struggled, [but] God has made me forget my toil, [and instead] has caused me to be fruitful. The Lord has looked upon my affliction. I will praise the Lord. My husband will be joined unto me, [who is] the Son of the Right Hand. The Lord has heard I was unloved, [but] God has given me my reward, [in that] now my husband will dwell with me. Good fortune has come.

Who is missing? - Joseph

Things to note - There are 13 tribes listed here versus the usual 12.

Ezekiel 48 - Gates of Jerusalem

North

Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)

The Lord has looked upon my affliction. I will praise the Lord. My husband will be joined unto me.

East

Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)
Dan - "God has judged (or vindicated) me" (Genesis 30:6)

God has taken away my reproach. [By the] Son of the Right Hand, God has judged (or vindicated) me.

South

Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)

The Lord has heard I was unloved [but] God has given me my reward [and] now my husband will dwell with me.

West

Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)

Good fortune has come. Happy and blessed am I [for] I have struggled.

Revelation 7:4-8 - The 144,000 sealed servants

Judah - "I will praise the Lord" (Genesis 29:35)
Reuben - "The Lord has looked upon my affliction" (Genesis 29:32)
Gad - "Good fortune has come" (Genesis 30:11)
Asher - "Happy and blessed am I" (Genesis 30:13)
Naphtali - "I have struggled" (Genesis 30:8)
Manasseh - "God has made me forget my toil"(Genesis 41:51)
Simeon - "The Lord has heard I was unloved" (Genesis 29:33)
Levi - "My husband will be joined unto me" (Genesis 29:34)
Issachar - "God has given me my reward" (Genesis 30:18)
Zebulun - "Now my husband will dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20)
Joseph - "God has taken away my reproach" (Genesis 30:23)
Benjamin - "Son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18)

I will praise the Lord. The Lord has looked upon my affliction. Good fortune has come [and] happy and blessed am I. I have struggled [but] God has made me forget my toil. The Lord has heard I was unloved, [but now] my husband will be joined unto me. God has given me my reward. Now my husband will dwell with me, [because] God has taken away my reproach [by the] Son of [His] right hand.

Who is missing? - Dan and Ephraim