Genesis 48:1 –7

How many tribes of Israel are there? Originally, Jacob, now known as Israel, had twelve sons. These twelve sons would father families and would make up the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph was one of the original twelve. Jacob adopted Joseph’s two sons. Each of Joseph’s two sons Manasseh and Ephraim now became the head of their own separate tribe. Joseph’s single tribe is now two tribes, bringing the total to thirteen.

When they left Egypt 400 years later, the Israelites traveled in thirteen separate tribal units. Twelve of the tribal units traveled in a circular arrangement around the tribal unit of Levi in the center. Joshua divided the land of Canaan into twelve portions. The two tribes represented by Joseph’s two sons each received a portion of land. The group representing the Levite’s did not receive a separate portion. They were to be a tribe in service to God as a holy priesthood.

When the twelve tribes refer to the original sons of Jacob, commentators count Joseph as one tribe. When the twelve tribes refer to the groups inheriting land in Canaan, commentators count Joseph’s sons as two tribes and they do not count Levi at all. Twelve tribes or thirteen tribes they all served the God of Israel. That is still all that matters. Our racial heritage is of no importance compared to our spiritual heritage. There are many tribes. There is only one family of God.