Introduction to the 12 Tribes
Understanding Genesis Chapter 49 and Deuteronomy 33
Great mystery covers the topic of breaking down the 12 Lost Tribes of Israel tribe by tribe. Various understandings can be found when trying to identify who each tribe is today.
Some claim to be able to tell our people exactly who they are according to present day nationality, some say that there is only spiritual Israel due to the fall of the tribes and their disobedience, while others say that only the so-called Black Man is the descendant of the 12 Tribes of Israel. One of the first principles of the scriptures is that no scripture should be privately interpreted (2 Peter 1:20). The scriptures speak truth and can stand alone when understanding these chapters (Proverbs 30:6).
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20
The first thing we must understand and establish is that the bible must be used to solidify the complete understanding of Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33. If a church, school, or individuals are not utilizing the scriptures, but rather other documents of men, there’s a problem. Utilizing history, archaeology, physical characteristics are good accompaniments to the scriptures when necessary or applicable, but in no wise should they be used to supersede the word.
One great stumbling block of knowledge seeking Israelites is the desire to know what tribe we belong to. Being lost due to a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) holds great in our journey to find our identity. The Most High vowed that he would strip us of our land, identity, knowledge, culture, and history (Jeremiah 17:4). In our quest to find out who we are we sometimes readily accept what sounds good rather than what’s complete truth according to the word of The Most High. The Apostle Paul admonished all believers not to be consumed with this quest;
“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 1 Timothy1:4
It is completely understandable to want to know who you are and having that mind frame is scriptural (Job 9:21), however due to the curses and the scatterings of our people it is impossible to identify every tribe by today’s nationalities, let alone scriptural standards.
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Such a search can become unprofitable and vain.” Titus 3:9
Let’s prove a couple of points as to why it is impossible to prove exact tribe identifications. Many of these breakdowns are mere speculation and shouldn’t be considered as “gospel” when identifying The Lost Tribes. As you will see at the end of this document various doctrines which proclaim the identity of the 12 Lost Tribes of Israel (1 Corinthians 14:40). Let’s begin with a few bullet points of understanding.
Israel is scattered throughout the four corners of the earth (Zechariah 7:14, Deuteronomy 28:64, James 1:1, Leviticus 26:33, Nehemiah 1:8). Due to this fact utilizing a land mass to identify the 12 Tribes can’t apply. Israel was never recognized by land mass. While we agree that Israel has been centrally located in the America’s which is modern day Babylon/Egypt (Micah 4:10, Revelation 11:8, Revelation 18:4, Jeremiah 23:8) based on the curses of Deuteronomy and historical archives, that still isn’t sufficient to determine each tribe’s modern day nationality.
“So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.” 1 Chronicles 9:1
Historically Israel always kept records of birth, tribe, and kinship to avoid any confusion. Now we don’t have any records of our genealogies and it is impossible to determine our tribe without them. Observe: Ezra 2:59-62: “[59] And these were they which went up from Tel- melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: [60] The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.[61] And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:[62] These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.”
This is after the Babylonian captivity and the records were opened to reunite families and tribes together. Three men and their families proclaimed their lineage with the Tribe of Levi, however they weren’t found in the registry and were deemed polluted due to the sanctity of the priesthood. So this proves not just anyone could claim a tribe or lineage without proper documentation and registry. Many say that the Tribe of Levi are the Haitians. According to the scriptures that can only be true by record ̧ especially with the tribe of Levi! Not just anyone could claim to be a Levite, and to say that if you are of Haitian descent you’re a Levite is scripturally irresponsible.
“And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” Genesis 49:1
The key in understanding this verse is the “last days.” Many say that this is speaking on present day terms, but numerous times the term “last days” is used. When exactly is the last days? Is it 2013, 1492, 1970, after the death of Yahawashi (Jesus Christ)? The term last days is used in the scriptures eleven times, many with different contextual understandings. Simply put, the term “last days” means a later time. Numerous scriptures show that last days and latter time are synonymous (Numbers 24:14, Deuteronomy 4:30, Deuteronomy 31:29, Jeremiah 3:24, Hebrews 1:1-2). So, it’s very important to understand what Jacob is telling his sons are prophetic judgments and blessings that will occur to them individually and their respective tribes at a “later time.” The scriptures will clearly show when these judgments and blessings took place leaving no speculation.
Lastly, it’s vital that we revisit the notion that a land mass can determine your tribe. Many subscribe to the understanding that if you’re from a certain country or Island than your from that respective tribe.
Again, Israel is and was always determined by genealogy and not land mass. Let’s look at a historical account of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. The scriptures and history document that primarily three tribes remained in Israel during the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Those being the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. Now according to history the slave ships docked at the east coast of Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, and the south east coast of America. These ships dropped off the slaves at every destination, so how can one say if you’re of Brazilian descent your Asher, or if you’re from Trinidad and Tabago your Benjamin. These tribes were all together when being dropped off! South America (primarily Brazil and Colombia) has the largest population of so-called Blacks in the western hemisphere (according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro- Latin_American#Brazil) so how does it fare when one says the so-called black man in America is from the tribe of Judah? Or how can we say that the blessings of the lands (agriculture, beaches, weather, etc.) of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and South America were given to the tribes as an inheritance, when The Most High clearly said we were brought here to serve bondage and not to receive blessings? (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). In fact, he advises that we depart from the ways of the Americas (Micah 2:10, Revelation 18:4).
The indigenous tribes that came to the Americas after the Assyrian Captivity (http://www.truenation.org/10_Tribes_Of_Israel.pdf) were still heavily into idolatry and wickedness and the Father would in no wise reward this behavior with plush lands and treasures. Rather, they were being preserved for judgment, which history and the bible proves. Again, we acknowledge the fact that the tribes were scattered and cursed and banished throughout the four corners of the earth with a vast majority settling in the Americas. There are numerous references and clues as to who the chosen people are based on cultural, historical, and archaeological records. In the book Lost Tribes and Promised Lands by Ronald Sanders he quotes on page 364: “Upon hearing her words they rose, went over to Montezinos and, to his utter astonishment, said:”Shema, Yisroel, Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ehod” (“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, The Lord is One”). They had recited, in Hebrew, the fundamental credo of Judaism.” Montezinos was a Portuguese explorer who documented his travels to South America and his interactions with the indigenous peoples there. This was during the mid-1600’s and Montezinos encountered three Indians in the Country of Ecuador. Let’s read a little more of his testimony continuing on page 364: “They told him that they were themselves of the tribe of Reuben and that the tribe of Joseph lived on an island nearby.” According to traditional 12 Tribe breakdowns the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manneseh) are of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent. Now, remember Montezinos was in Ecuador and met these indigenous tribes who acknowledged that they were of the Tribe of Reuben, however, traditional breakdowns of the Tribes say that Reuben are the Seminole Indians located in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and other southern region states. This can’t be true according to this historian and biblical prophecy of the scattering of Israel. Another point of reference is note that they said the tribes of Joseph lived on an Island nearby; Puerto Rico and Cuba are thousands of miles away from Ecuador! The geographic locations just don’t match. Let’s examine another historian and traveler’s account of the Indigenous peoples in the America’s being the descendant of the Lost Tribes of Israel. In the book “Indians or Jews?: An Introduction to a reprint of Manasseh Ben Israel’s The Hope of Israel” on page 57 he’s quoted as saying: “Like so many others, King became passionately convinced that the Mexican Indians were in reality descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes.” Edward King was an Irish antiquarian who sought out to prove that the Indigenous people of the America’s were the descendants of the Lost Tribes. He concentrated much of his work in Mexico, where he provided numerous paintings, artifacts and hieroglyphics that linked the so-called Mexicans to the Israelites. Rudolph R Windsor noted in his book from Babylon to Timbuktu on page 84: “In the year 65 B.C. the Roman armies under General Pompey captured Jerusalem. In 70 A.D. General Vespasian and his son, Titus put an end to the Jewish state, with great slaughter. During the period of the military governors of Palestine, many outrages and atrocities were committed against the residue of the people. During the period from Pompey to Julius, it has been estimated that over 1,000,000 Jews fled into Africa, fleeing from Roman persecution and slavery. The slave markets were full of black Jewish slaves.” This historical note helps to bridge the gap between the so-called black man and the connection with Africa. There are numerous other historical and archaeological references that could be noted and it is encouraged that you continue to search form viable resources and answers. The Bible depicts the Jews being people of color and different shades of brown (Song of Solomon 1:5, Revelation 1:13-15, Exodus 4:5-7, Job 30:30, Lamentations 4:7, Daniel 10:5-6, etc.), who were cursed as a nation for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). There is no dispute regarding the tribes being the descendants of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the indigenous peoples scattered throughout the Americas, however, attempting to pinpoint the origin of each tribe as it pertains to modern day nationality is purely speculation and not fact.
In conclusion, keep an open mind and open bible when understanding these tribes. We will use the scriptures precept upon precept (Isaiah28:9-11)as instructed to breakdown both Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33. Both chapters compliment each other and are necessary when understanding what befell our forefather’s and their tribes in a “latter time.
