Simeon שִׁמְעוֹן
Son of Jacob and Leah, one of the twelve tribes.
Who is Simeon in the Bible?
Simeon was the second son of Jacob and Leah, born after Reuben (Genesis 29:33), and became the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Along with his brother Levi, Simeon took violent revenge against the Shechemites for the rape of their sister Dinah, an action that earned their father Jacob's condemnation (Genesis 34:25-30, 49:5-7). During Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, Simeon was held as a hostage by his brother Joseph until the other brothers brought Benjamin to Egypt, after which he was released and returned to Canaan (Genesis 42:24, 43:23). The tribe of Simeon, which descended from him and was led during the wilderness wanderings by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, held territory within Judah's borders and was one of the foundational tribes of Israel. Simeon's story illustrates both the consequences of impulsive violence and the providence of God working through family conflict to accomplish His purposes.
Biography
Simeon was the second son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Leah, born after Reuben (Gen.29.33). He was one of the twelve sons of Jacob who became the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Simeon, along with his brother Levi, took violent revenge against the Shechemites for the rape of their sister Dinah (Gen.34.25-30). This action was condemned by their father, Jacob (Gen.49.5-7).
When Joseph's brothers went to Egypt during the famine, Joseph took Simeon as a hostage until they brought their youngest brother, Benjamin (Gen.42.24,36; 43.23). Simeon was later released and returned to Canaan with his brothers (Gen.46.10).
The tribe of Simeon, descended from Simeon, was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. During the wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Simeon was led by Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai (Num.1.6; 2.12; 7.36; 10.19). The tribe's territory was located within the boundaries of Judah in the Negev (Jos.19.1,9; Jdg.1.3,17).
In later history, some from the tribe of Simeon migrated to Edom during the reign of Hezekiah (1Ch.4.42-43). The tribe is mentioned in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezk.48.24,25,33) and in the list of the sealed from the twelve tribes in Revelation (Rev.7.7).
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Reuben Tribe of ReubenSon of IsraelFirstborn son of Jacob and LeahView full profile →
- Levi Tribe of LeviSon of IsraelSon of Jacob; progenitor of the LevitesView full profile →
- Judah Tribe of JudahSon of IsraelIsraelite tribe, kingdom, and provinceView full profile →
- Dan Tribe of DanSon of IsraelFifth son of Jacob, founder of Israelite tribeView full profile →
- Naphtali Tribe of NaphtaliSon of IsraelSon of Jacob, founder of the tribe of Naphtali.View full profile →
- Gad Tribe of GadSon of IsraelIsraelite tribe; descended from Gad, son of Jacob.View full profile →
- Asher Tribe of AsherSon of IsraelSon of Jacob and Zilpah, founder of the tribe of AsherView full profile →
- Issachar Tribe of IssacharSon of IsraelSon of Jacob and Leah, forefather of tribeView full profile →
- Zebulun Tribe of ZebulunSon of IsraelIsraelite tribe, son of Jacob and LeahView full profile →
- Dinah Early PatriarchJacob's daughterDaughter of Jacob and LeahView full profile →
- Joseph Early PatriarchJacob's sonSon of Jacob, ruler in EgyptView full profile →
- Benjamin Tribe of BenjaminSon of IsraelYoungest son of Jacob and RachelView full profile →
Partners
Offspring
- Jemuel Tribe of SimeonSon of SimeonSon of Simeon, also known as Nemuel.View full profile →
- Jamin Tribe of JudahSon of RamSon of Ram, descendant of JudahView full profile →
- Ohad Tribe of SimeonSon of SimeonSon of SimeonView full profile →
- Jachin MaleHead of a priestly division during David's reign.View full profile →
- Zerah Tribe of LeviSon of IddoLevite of the Gershonite clanView full profile →
- Shaul Tribe of LeviSon of UzziahLevite descendant of KohathView full profile →
In Scripture
9 biblical books ; 5 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 29:33
"Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:25
"Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 34:30
"Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 35:23
"The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 42:24
"And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes."
Study Genesis →
Exodus 2 verses
- Exodus 1:2
"Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;"
Study Exodus → - Exodus 6:15
"The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon."
Study Exodus →
Numbers 5 verses
- Numbers 1:6
"from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;"
- Numbers 1:22
"From the sons of Simeon, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,"
- Numbers 1:23
"those registered to the tribe of Simeon numbered 59,300."
- Numbers 2:12
"The tribe of Simeon will camp next to it. The leader of the Simeonites is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai,"
- Numbers 7:36
"On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the Simeonites, drew near."
Deuteronomy 1 verse
- Deuteronomy 27:12
"“When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin."
Study Deuteronomy →
Joshua 5 verses
- Joshua 19:1
"The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah"
Study Joshua → - Joshua 19:8
"and all the villages surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah of the Negev). This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Simeon."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 19:9
"The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So the Simeonites received an inheritance within Judah’s portion."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 21:9
"From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they designated these cities by name"
Study Joshua → - Joshua 21:4
"The first lot came out for the Kohathite clans. The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin."
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Judges 2 verses
- Judges 1:3
"Then the men of Judah said to their brothers the Simeonites, “Come up with us to our allotted territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. And we likewise will go with you to your territory.” So the Simeonites went with them."
- Judges 1:17
"Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שִׁמְעוֹן | šimĕʿwōn | Shimon , one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | שִׁמְעוֹן | šimĕʿwōn | Shimon , one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him |
| Named | Hebrew | שִׁמְעֹנִי | — | — |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | שִׁמְעֹנִי | — | — |
| Greek | Greek | Συμεών | — | — |