Jacob's second son and ancestor of the tribe of Simeon
PatriarkatPatriarchWarriorc. 1900 BC
Simeon was the second son of Jacob and Leah, and one of the twelve patriarchs of Israel. He is particularly known for his violent revenge against the city of Shechem together with his brother Levi, after their sister Dinah was dishonored. His tribe was later absorbed into the territory of the tribe of Judah, in accordance with Jacob's prophetic blessing that predicted dispersion within Israel.
Simeon was born as the second son to Jacob and Leah. Leah named him Simeon, saying, 'Because the Lord heard that I am unloved, he has given me this son also.'
33She conceived again and gave birth to a son, and she said, "Because the LORD heard that I am unloved, he has given me this one too." So she named him Simeon.
After Shechem, the son of Hamor, had dishonored their sister Dinah, Simeon and Levi carried out a bloody act of revenge. They killed all the men in the city while they were weak from circumcision, which aroused strong displeasure in Jacob.
25On the third day, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords, came against the unsuspecting city, and killed every male.
30Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought disaster on me by making me a stench to the inhabitants of this land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My men are few; if they band together against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed."
When Jacob's sons came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph demanded that they bring Benjamin back with them. Joseph kept Simeon behind as a hostage until his brothers returned with Benjamin.
24He turned away from them and wept. Then he came back and spoke to them again; and he took Simeon from among them and had him bound before their eyes.
36Their father Jacob said to them, "You are robbing me of my children. Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. Everything is against me!"
23He replied, "Peace to you. Do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; your silver reached me." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
On his deathbed, Jacob spoke prophetic words over his sons. Simeon and Levi were mentioned together and received a warning that their violent temper would lead to them being scattered in Israel.
The tribe of Simeon received its inheritance within the territory of the tribe of Judah, in accordance with Jacob's prophecy about scattering. The tribe was gradually absorbed into Judah.
8together with all the villages surrounding these towns as far as Baalath Beer, that is, Ramah of the Negev. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Simeonites, clan by clan.
9The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because Judah's share was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within Judah's territory.