How many tribes were there in Israel ?

Although the Scriptures contain 24 different lists of the tribes of Israel—and each list always names twelve tribes—there are thirteen tribes in total. This is because Joseph was given a double inheritance, with his tribe being represented by Manasseh and Ephraim, both adopted by Jacob as sons.

 

Here are the 24 times the list of 12 tribes are mentioned:

Gen. 29:32—Gen. 30:24

Gen. 35:23–26

Gen. 46:8–24

Gen. 49:3–28

 

Ex. 1:1–6

 

Num. 1:4–16

Num. 1:20–46

Num. 2:2–32

Num. 7:12–84

Num. 10:14–28

Num. 13:3–17

Num. 26:4–56

Num. 34:16–29

 

Dt. 27:12–14

Dt. 33:6–29

 

Josh. 13:1—Josh. 21:45

Judg. 1:1–36

Judg. 5:14–18

1Chr. 2:1–2

1Chr. 2:3—1Chr. 9:44

1Chr. 12:1–40

1Chr. 27:16–22

 

 Ezek. 48

 Rev. 7:1–8

 

Here is a list of tribes according to the wives and or maidservants of Jacob:

  1. Leah has six tribes (Gen.29: 32-35, Gen. 30:17-20)
  2. Rachel has three tribes (Num. 1:10–11)
  3. Bilhah has two tribes (Num. 1:12) (Num. 1:15)
  4. Zilpah has two tribes (Num. 1:13–14)

 

Once again, there are a total of 13 tribes because of the two sons of Joseph.