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"These were the sons of Israel"

Text: 1 Chronicles 2:1

THE TWELVE SONS OF JACOB

Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel. Jacob was deceived by Leban who gave him Leah, the firstborn. Jacob had to work very hard for 14 years for the hand of Rachel (Genesis 29-30).

Leah and Rachel gave their maids to bear children for Jacob. Altogether, there were twelve sons and one daughter called Dinah.

“These were the sons of Israel: Reuben,
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan,
Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.”
1 Chronicles 2:1-2

1. The original list of sons.

a) The first four sons were born through Leah (Genesis 29:31-35).

i) Reuben Genesis 29:32

ii) Simeon Genesis 29:33

iii) Levi Genesis 29:34

iv) Judah Genesis 29:35

b) Two more sons were born.

i) Issachar Genesis 30:18

ii) Zebulun Genesis 30:20

c) Dinah was the only daughter.

2. Bilhah was the maid of Rachel.

a) She was given to Jacob to bear him children.

i) Dan was her first offspring (Genesis 30:1-6).

ii) Naphthali was the second offspring (Genesis 30:8).

b) She had two sons.

3. Zilpah was the maid of Jacob.

a) She was given to Jacob to bear more children.

i) Gad was the offspring from this union (Genesis 30:11).

ii) Asher was the second son from this union (Genesis 30:13).

b) She gave birth to two sons.

4. Rachel was dearly loved by Jacob.

a) She had two sons.

i) Joseph Genesis 30:22-24

ii) Benjamin Genesis 35:14-20

b) Rachel died after giving birth to Benjamin.

5. Manasseh and Ephraim.

a) These were the sons of Joseph.

b) Jacob adopted them as his own children (Genesis 48).