The 12 Sons and the Fulfillment of

Their Prophetic Blessings

Each son was given a specific blessing. It is very interesting to see how these blessings came to pass.

Since Reuben defiled Jacob’s bed, he did not get the blessings of the firstborn. Judah received his blessings and Jacob’s prophecy that "he would not excel" came true. There were no kings, judges or prophets from Reuben.

Simeon was deemed an "instrument of cruelty" and this was seen as they slaughtered all of the males in Genesis 34. Furthermore, they were a war-like tribe as seen in the reference to them in 1 Chronicles 4.

Levi was linked with Simeon as an "instrument of cruelty". We see this illustrated when Moses comes down the mountain with the ten commandments. The tribe of Levi slays the idolaters (Exodus 32).

Dan received a prophecy that his tribe would be an evil one. This was affirmed by a similar prophecy by Moses. Dan was the first tribe to fall into idolatry. Their descendants weren’t listed (by name) in the genealogies and this was a precursor to their entire "blotting out" from the book of Revelation.

It was said that Gad would be a war-like tribe; both losing and winning wars. They ended up being quite isolated and often attacked by the Midianites and the Ammonites. Interestingly, a similar prophecy regarding Gad was given by Moses.

Asher was given a blessing that his descendants would be rich and prosperous. Jacob also told him that royalty would spring from his line. Asher’s land was in the far North of Israel (including Tyre, Sidon and Hiram). In several passages of scripture, we see wealthy descendants of Asher in these parts.

Issachar was given a peculiar blessing. Him and his descendants were compared to a strong "ass" (useful tool or device). In turn, they had one of the largest tribes and 1 Chronicles 7, we see they had 87,000 fighting men!

Zebulun was rewarded with a blessing that predicted they would be prosperous, seafaring merchants. They traded with the Phoenicians and became the Galileans.

Joseph was promised fruitfulness. He received a double portion of land. He also had two tribes spring from him: Manasseh and Ephraim.

Naphtali was given the same, prophetic blessing as Zebulun. They also shared a similar future with them.

Benjamin was told his descendants would be the fiercest tribe. Jacob compared him to a wolf - swift and ferocious. King Saul, Ehud and Saul of Tarsus were all from the tribe of Benjamin.

Judah’s line was predicted to produce the Messiah. This was affirmed in 1 Chronicles 5:2. Judah is told that his brothers will praise him (or at least a certain descendant of his!). This kind of praise is the same praise we give God.