by Barry Strong
About 2,700 years ago the land of Israel was invaded by Assyria and ten of the nation’s tribes were carried away into captivity. No return of these tribes to their land has been recorded in the Bible or in secular histories. Nothing more has been heard of them. Apparently they vanished without trace. But the Bible says they have an important place in Israel’s future.
Many Christians understand that, just as he promised long ago, God is once again taking up his ancient people, the Jews, and is returning them to their land. But any understanding we may have of what God is doing in the Middle East today is incomplete if it ignores the question of the lost tribes. God’s programme for Israel involves the whole nation. So the question is: where are the lost tribes of Israel?
Hebrew, Isrealite and Jew
We must begin by being clear as to the true biblical meanings of the words Hebrew, Israelite and Jew. Contrary to what most people think, these words are not interchangeable. Abraham came from the city of Ur in ancient Chaldaea (Gen 11:27-28, Gen 15:7). He was called a Hebrew (Gen 14:13). Some say that this word comes from the name of Abraham’s ancestor Eber (Gen 10:21) or Heber (Luke 3:35). Others say that it comes from the word ibri which meant, in Abraham’s language, ‘a person from the other side’. All Abraham’s descendants are Hebrews.
Abraham’s grandson Jacob was renamed Israel (Gen 32:28). He became the father of twelve sons – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. These were the founding fathers of the tribes of Israel. All members of these tribes are Israelites since they are descended from Jacob. Since they are also descended from Abraham they are also Hebrews.
When the Israelites came out of Egypt to occupy the land God had promised them the conquered territory was divided among the tribes. The Levites, however, as the tribe from which the priests were exclusively appointed, received no tribal territory but were given cities of their own in various places throughout the land (Num 35:1-8). These cities had only limited amounts of land surrounding them. The Levites were subsidised by the other tribes (Num 18:24). The tribe of Joseph was subdivided into the two half-tribes of his sons Ephraim and Manasseh and these two half-tribes were promoted to the status of full tribes for purposes of land division. That was in accordance with an instruction of Jacob (Gen 48:3-6) that these two grandsons should be considered founders of separate tribes and should possess separate territories, ranking equally with his sons Reuben, Simeon and the others. If the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are considered separately and if the tribe of Levi is included there are actually thirteen tribes. When the Bible speaks of the twelve tribes of Israel it means, according to context, either (a) ethnically, all the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons or (b) territorially, the twelve divisions of the land and their inhabitants.
Jew comes from Judah
The word Jew comes from the name Judah and originally meant a member of the tribe of Judah. Both these words – Judah and Jew – came to have wider meanings. So did the word Ephraim. To discover how this came about we have to look at some of the nation’s history. After many military campaigns against other nations occupying the land, which had continued, on and off, for about 300 years since the Israelites’ entry under the leadership of Joshua around 1200 BC, the country was eventually consolidated and made secure by King David, who was of the tribe of Judah (Mat 1:3-6). David’s son Solomon thus inherited a kingdom at peace with its subjugated neighbours. It was during Solomon’s reign that the first temple was built in the capital, Jerusalem. Although God gave Solomon great wisdom (1 Ki 3:12), he was foolish enough to disobey God by taking many foreign wives. Predictably, these women brought their heathen religions with them and, under their influence, Solomon instituted officially approved worship of heathen gods in Israel (1 Ki 11:1-8). God was angry with Solomon for this and told him that he deserved to have the kingdom taken away from him. God remembered, however, a promise he had made to David that, come what may, he would never take the throne away from David’s son and descendants (2 Sam 7:12-16). God told Solomon that, although he would remain king, he would allow his son and successor, Rehoboam, to be king over only one tribe. The other tribes would be given to someone else (1 Ki 11:11-13).
Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim
Solomon had appointed a man called Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, director of forced labour gangs recruited to carry out certain building repair and construction work. The prophet Ahijah identified Jeroboam as the man God had chosen to be king over the tribes to be separated off after Solomon’s death. When Solomon found out about this he tried to have Jeroboam killed, but Jeroboam fled the country and took refuge with Shishak, king of Egypt (1 Ki 11:40).
Solomon died in 922 BC and was succeeded by his son Rehoboam. When Jeroboam heard that Solomon was dead he returned from Egypt and got an audience with the new king. He wanted to know whether Rehoboam would continue the harsh domestic policies of his father – forced labour and heavy taxation – or whether easier times could now be expected. Rehoboam first consulted his older, experienced advisers who recommended an easing of the burdens. Then he consulted inexperienced younger men of his own generation. The young men recommended a heavy-handed policy. Rehoboam took their advice, telling Jeroboam that the people could expect even harsher treatment from him than they had received from Solomon. Outraged, ten of the tribes rebelled and, forming a separate state in the north, made Jeroboam their king (1 Ki 12:1-18). They eventually established their capital at Samaria.
According to the Bible Rehoboam was left with only one tribe, his own tribe of Judah (2 Ki 17:18). That statement, however, needs amplifying. Israel’s first king, Saul, had been of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam 9:21). In the days of Saul’s reign a close friendship sprang up between David and Saul’s son Jonathan. The story of Saul’s unjust hatred and pursuit of David is told in the first book of Samuel. During this period David and Jonathan made a solemn agreement that David, if he came to power, would not take revenge on Jonathan’s family (1 Sam 20:12-17). When David became king one of his first desires was to keep this agreement and be reconciled with any remaining members of the house of Saul. He showed special kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, a cripple (2 Sam 9:1-13). From that time forward the two tribes were considered linked in a special way. When Jeroboam rebelled the Benjamites joined forces with Judah with the intention of recovering the other tribes for Rehoboam, but God blocked that plan (1 Ki 12:21-24). Rehoboam was left with Judah, Benjamin and, of course, those Levites who were resident in his territory. When God said ‘one tribe’ he was speaking territorially, Benjamin being regarded as incorporated in Judah.
Jeroboam thought it would be unwise to allow the subjects of his new kingdom to continue to visit the enemy capital, Jerusalem, to worship at the temple or keep the traditional festivals of Israel. They might be tempted to change sides. He established two new religious centres in his own kingdom, one at Bethel and the other at Dan, at which the worship of golden calves was instituted (1 Ki 12:25-33). He also established new heathen priesthoods in various other places (1 Ki 13:33). The Levites who lived in cities in his territory were forbidden to continue to go to the temple at Jerusalem to serve by rotation as priests. These Levites therefore left their cities and removed to Rehoboam’s kingdom where they continued to enjoy their priestly privileges. Some others of Jeroboam’s subjects followed the Levites’ example, removing to Rehoboam’s kingdom and clinging to their historic faith (2 Chr 11:13-17).
The southern kingdom
The southern kingdom thus came to contain not only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin but also the whole tribe of Levi and a smaller admixture of refugees from other tribes. (Later on, in the reign of King Asa, who instituted certain reforms, more refugees from the tribes of Simeon, Ephraim and Manasseh came over to the southern kingdom (2 Chr 15:9)). This kingdom called itself Judah after the name of its senior tribe. From that time forward the word Jew no longer had the restricted meaning of a member of the tribe of Judah but the wider meaning of a subject of the kingdom of Judah. All Jews you meet today are descendants of subjects of the southern kingdom of Judah, although they are not all of the tribe of Judah. When our Lord was presented as a child at the temple in Jerusalem his family was greeted by a woman named Anna who was a Jewess of the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36-38). She would have been a descendant of one of the refugees who left Jeroboam’s kingdom for Rehoboam’s. The word Jew, in fact, is used in the Bible only in this sense of a subject of the southern kingdom or a descendant of one. The Bible calls the patriarchs Hebrews, not Jews. The people God brought out of Egypt were called Hebrews or the children of Israel, not the Jewish people. Subjects of the northern kingdom were Israelites but not Jews. If anyone doubts this, because he has been taught otherwise, he may check the fact in a concordance to the Bible (Authorised Version). He will not begin to find the words Jew, Jews or Jewish until he comes to verse 6 of chapter 16 of the second Book of Kings – nearly halfway through the pages of the Old Testament.
The northern kingdom
The northern kingdom was sometimes called Ephraim after the name of its senior tribe, to which Jeroboam belonged (e.g., Isa 11:13, Hos 6:4). But the prophets usually called the northern kingdom Israel and the southern kingdom Judah. The greater number of the tribes of Israel – ten of them – belonged to the northern kingdom. But now the possibility of confusion arises because Judah also called itself Israel. That was not incorrect since the subjects of both kingdoms were all descended from Jacob, who was renamed Israel. When Bible writers who lived after the time of Solomon use the expression ‘the house of Israel’ they mean the northern kingdom. When they use the terms ‘Judah’ or ‘the house of Judah’ they mean the southern kingdom. When they use the word Israel they could mean either or both but usually the northern kingdom (e.g., 2 Ki 15:1, 2 Ki 17:1). When they refer to all descendants of Jacob collectively they call them Jacob, all Israel or the whole house of Israel, but sometimes just Israel. When we see the word Israel we must study the context to see exactly who are meant. Similarly, when we see the word Ephraim we have to study the context to discover whether it is the whole northern kingdom which is meant or just the tribe of Ephraim. In a few rare instances the name of Joseph (Ephraim’s father) is substituted for that of Ephraim (e.g., Rev 7:8). Fortunately, the contexts make matters fairly clear, but I shall keep things simple by referring to the southern kingdom as Judah, and its people as the Jews, and the northern one as the ten tribes. These matters are summarised in the diagram appended to this paper.
Over the next 200 years nineteen kings, from Jeroboam to Hoshea, reigned over the ten tribes. Not one of them returned to the worship of the God of Israel. God sent his prophets to the ten tribes – Elijah, for example – but any success they had was only temporary and limited. The story of the reigns of the northern kings is one of unbroken spiritual and moral degeneration. Eventually God’s patience was exhausted. The ten tribes would be rejected and driven out of their land. God announced that decision through the prophet Hosea in a particularly graphic way. He told the prophet to take an adulterous woman to wife, symbolising the infidelity of the ten tribes to himself. Three children were born of this union. God told Hosea to call the third Lo-ammi which means ‘not my people’ (Hos 1:2-8). The ten tribes would no longer be God’s people and he would no longer be their God. That, however, would not be a permanent state of affairs. A day would come when God would bring their descendants back to their land and be reconciled with them. This statement is very important for our understanding of what God is doing in the Middle East today and I quote it here in full:
Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi, for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered: and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head. (Hos 1:9-11a.)
It is important to realise that the words ‘Ye are not my people and I will not be your God’ were addressed to the ten tribes, not to the Jews. The Jews remained God’s people. Not only would God reject the ten tribes, but also the ten tribes would no longer acknowledge the God of Israel. In effect they would entirely cease to be recognisable as an Israelite community. The unity of Israel was based on a spiritual unity. Without spiritual unity there can be no lasting social or political unity. The Bible teaches this lesson repeatedly. The reason why, for the last 2,700 years, no one has been able to identify the ten tribes is that they have, unlike the Jews, utterly lost sight of their spiritual roots and have therefore also lost their social cohesion. They did not have to wander far from Israel, or from each other, to lose that cohesion. They began to lose it the moment they crossed the border. The Jews, on the other hand, although they have been scattered to the ends of the earth, have retained their sense of communal identity wherever they are found. The Jews know who they are, but the ten tribes do not. If, throughout the last 2,700 years, members of the ten tribes have not known who they truly are then it follows that no one else, apart from God, can have known either. That is why we must dismiss all the romantic theories which have been put forward about descendants of the ten tribes being represented among the North American Indians, in communities in China, in the British royal family or anywhere else. They became completely indistinguishable from their new compatriots and we cannot know who they are until they reappear in the land of Israel.
The words ‘in the place’ and ‘there’ contained in the statement can bear only a geographical interpretation. The ten tribes must one day return to their land, resume their ancient faith and be gloriously reunited with their brothers the Jews. If they returned to their faith before they returned to their land there would be no problem of spiritual, social and political reunion with the Jews. If, however, they returned to the land before they returned to their faith there could be no real social or political unity with the Jews for as long as that situation lasted. Which of these two possible conditions must we expect to turn out be the actual one? The answer is, the second. God said in this statement that he would re-adopt the ten tribes ‘in the place’ where he had rejected them. They must obviously be in the land again before this happens. The ten tribes must return to the land of Israel still in ignorance of their real identity, and until God opens the eyes of both the ten tribes and the Jews we would not expect any fraternal feelings to develop between the two sides.
The final thing to notice about the statement is that, on or following the return of the ten tribes, both they and the Jews will be united under one king. That king will of course be that Son of David who declared himself to be ‘greater than Solomon’, namely the nation’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Kings of Israel
In the reign of King Pekah (737-732 BC) the Assyrian king Tiglath-Peleser invaded the northern kingdom of Israel and carried some of the population into captivity in Assyria (2 Ki 15:29, 1 Chr 5:26). In 722 BC the army of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser again invaded the land and captured the capital Samaria after a three-year siege. Then his forces went throughout the northern kingdom taking the entire population captive. The people were forcibly removed and resettled in other territories administered by Assyria (2 Ki 17:1-6). They were replaced by colonists brought there from other parts of the Assyrian Empire. These colonists did not at first prosper. In fact they were continually attacked by wild beasts. They attributed their difficulties to the opposition of the God of the land, so they found among the exiles someone with some knowledge of the Israelite religion and brought him to Bethel to establish a form of it there. They continued, however, also to worship their own heathen gods (2 Ki 17:24-41). These newcomers came to be known as the Samaritans, after the name of the capital Samaria. They were despised by Judah as supplanters of their Israelite brothers and practitioners of an inferior form of worship of the God of Israel not centred on the temple system (John 4:9, John 4:20). There are Samaritans in Israel today who claim to be members of the ten tribes. They are mistaken. The Samaritans replaced the ten tribes, taking over their vacated lands.
Read the study where are the 10 lost tribes?
Tags: History, Jews, restoration of Israel, Return of Jews, tribes
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Excellent article, I was thrilled to come across it from a link at jpost.com. My understanding of the verse in Romans, the phrase “partial blindness” also means “a stubborn refusal to learn.” These things have been hidden from us, Jews AND “Christians” / Messianics until now. Knowledge [of Scripture] has increased, and we must keep pace with our Father. Here in Israel there seems to be a building curiosity / anticipation to know where the Tribes are. I have heard that Rabbis know the coming [again] of Messiah is near due to all “the Gentiles” [i.e. lost tribes] coming here to celebrate the moedim / appointed times / Feasts [Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles]. Let us remember that these are prophetic pictures of what is to be fulfilled. Messiah fulfilled the Spring Feasts when He came the first time. He will fulfill the Fall Feasts at His Return. Some do not yet accept this topic, and refer to is as the Ephraimite Error. May our hearts and eyes be open! Let us STUDY, to show ourselves approved!!
Shalom, Peace.
David …a brother and servant…
I got so exited while reading this article. I want to thank Mr Barry Strong for his study.
I agree with what he says in this article. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah. We visit an evangelical congregation.
I believe that God almighty will fulfil all his prophecies spoken through his prophets concerning Israel. Also those about the Temple on mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Daniel 8:11 speaks of a Temple service, which isn’t possible without the Temple. And according to Revelation 11:1-2 the apostle John, an Israelite just like all the other apostles, had to measure the Temple but not the court that has been given to the heathen. No such court in heaven is there? So I believe this has to be the Temple in Jerusalem. And both Ezekiel 48:30-34 and Revelation 21: 9-14 speaks of the gates of Jerusalem with the names of the twelve tribes of the people of Israel written on them. Daniel 2:24-45 is very clear about the kingdom that God is establishing on earth.
I want to say something concerning Ezekiel 37:15-28. Judah and Israel, with Ephraim as leading tribe, will be united in one kingdom with one ruler.
Genesis 49:9-12 says that Judah would hold the royal sceptre and his descendants would always rule. Nations would bring him tribute and bow in obedience before him. And it’s written in Genesis 48:19 that Ephraim (Jacob’s grandson) would be great and his descendants would be great nations. By the way it doesn’t say that those nations would be full of Israelites or people from the tribe of Ephraim. According to 1 Kings 11:26-40: God made Jeroboam from Ephraim, the ruler over 10 tribes. So God gave Ephraim a throne too. Notice verse 36 says that God wanted only a descendant of David (of the tribe of Judah) to be ruler in Jerusalem. God gave the land of Israel two thrones.
Where are these thrones today?
Where is the throne of Ephraim, the leading tribe of the 10 tribes?
Ephraim’s descendants would become great nations. I believe this throne could be within any of these nations. It’s possible, but not necessarily, with someone on it this very day. (By the way I believe this could be through royalty, politics and or finance.) God almighty knows whom and where. Daniel 4:7 says that God has power over kingdoms.
Where are the sceptre, the crown, and the throne of Judah, the Davidic royal line?
Ezekiel 19 speaks of the sceptre. This passage is a song of sorrow over the princes (kings) of the land of Israel. Judah is the one referred to as being like a lion in Genesis 48:9-11 (it also speaks of a grapevine). So this passage is about the tribe of Judah, the Davidic royal line. Notice that the lioness in this passage of Ezekiel didn’t die nor was she taken captive. And that according to verse 14, it’s the stem of the vine that caught fire and not the root. The branches that got burned up will never be royal sceptres. But the root is still planted there where it is in the dry dessert of Israel (this passage is about princes of Israel).
Zechariah 6:9-15 speaks of the crown. It’s in the Temple in Jerusalem. This passage speaks of the promise of whom will were it in the future. Verse 12 says that the branch that will flourish where it is will build the Temple. So the root will bring forth a new branch that will flourish. There is more you can say about this passage, but I rather don’t get into that.
And where is the throne?
1 Kings 11:36 states that, the ruler from the Davidic royal line will rule from Jerusalem. So sceptre, crown and throne are all in Israel, Jerusalem. And no one on earth on this throne today.
I believe that Judah and Ephraim will be united in one kingdom, with one ruler as written in Ezekiel 37:15-28. And that the land of Israel will be at peace before the Gog Magog war described in Ezekiel 38 and 39 (Revelation 19:11-21: Armageddon). I believe that God almighty will bring them together as mister Strong said. But I believe that God may also do this through marriage between someone from the royal line of David and of Ephraim. God almighty knows who these people are. They even may not be the elite’s choice. He has done this before, to choose people who are not part of the elite. But God will unite two thrones to one, preparing for when Yeshua Messiah comes. Zechariah 9:9-10 speaks of him as a humble king who will come to do away with the enemies of a united kingdom of Israel and make peace amongst nations. The Temple is already built (Zechariah 6:9-15). Since the kingship of King David, there have been descendants of him on the throne in Jerusalem. God almighty can put another one on this throne for the reasons mentioned above, before Yeshua Messiah comes.
Is it possible that the above will result in what is described in Revelation 12?
A lady who is a royal ruler in and representing a united kingdom of Israel (symbol: crown with 12 stars) put in place by God (symbol: sun). Notice that it doesn’t say anywhere in the book of Revelation that this lady symbolises anything or anyone. Contrary to the woman in Revelation 17; where the passage is very specific about her being a symbol. The lady in Revelation 12 cannot stand for someone in the past either. Prophecy points to the future, not to the past. So I believe the lady is a person who has to be revealed by God in the future since he revealed her to John. In this case, what happens to her makes sense. Satan wants to kill her baby boy who is of royal descent. Happened before: in the time of Moses and Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ). Her baby boy is taken to the throne of God. Isn’t it written that a child should be presented to God, and that every firstborn male is to be dedicated to the God (Luke 2:22-24)? Doesn’t this happen in the Temple? She has to flee to the desert, where God will take care of her. Happened before: king David fled too (2 Samuel 15:13-37). And God did take care of people in the dessert before. For example: Elijah and even a multitude of people, Israel under the leadership of Moses. And the wings she receives from God; we are living in modern times in which we have wings to fly. Who are the rest of her descendants that the dragon wants to fight. She is a ruler, she represents a nation. So what about those who are part of that nation, Israel? And who are part of it through faith? Did Israel have a legitimate woman ruler in the past? Yes, Deborah of Ephraim ruled as judge and prophetess, put in place by God almighty, for 40 years over ancient Israel (Judges 4 and 5). So this also happened before. All bleu prints in biblical scripture about past events in Israel’s history which shows us how God works.
I believe all this is very possible. But only God almighty knows for sure. He knows when Israel will be united, in which way and who the people that will be involved in this process are. I believe that then the second part of Jeremiah’s task, Jeremiah 1:10, will be completed. God gave him authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and overthrow, but also to build and to plant. Let’s continue to pray and study his word. So God who has the insight in everything may give us an insight in, an understanding of and his guidance in our personal lives and also the future of Israel.
God bless you.
Best regards,
Mrs. A. vd Laan-Leito
Good article, indeed: solid knowledge of biblical history and philology, a coherence of the thoughts.. Yet, I would be more prudent with two statements: “the Israelites’ entry under the leadership of Joshua around 1200 BC…” from the section “Jew comes from Judah”. What if it was 1405 BC?…And the second deals with “the traditional festivals of Israel”. If a tradition means a certain man-made institution passed down from generation to generation, from the Latin tra-ditio (where it refers to speaking out in order to teach, and is the other side of the reditio, speaking out what you were taught), then I have to disagree: the Feasts, the Moadim, were God’s and God-given, and not only to the people of Israel. As brother David above perceived, the Feasts are indicators of God’s calendar and, as such, can be appropriated by the gentiles, of course in modified form.
I greet you with Baruch ha-Ba, Blessed is He who comes…
very good study.
Thank you for your fantastic article. It’s very hard to find quality writing on biblical topics on the internet, especially about the ten tribes of Israel. Mostly, it’s sites by Brit-Am and other British Israelism or racist organisations who dominate the landscape. It’s very refreshing when someone writes something that actually references scripture and refers to solid and accurate historical writings which are unbiased.
I really believe that the descendants of the ten tribes are out there, and becoming more globalised by the day. It may be that by the time the Messiah comes back to rule, Israelite blood will be running strong through every household of the world, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. I also believe that God will reveal the descendants of Israel in full in His own way, without the aggressive intervention of man, or perhaps through those who have no vested interest in the subject. That’s why when people put forward all sorts of fantastic theories about where the ten tribes went and who their descendants are today, these are usually people who conclude by implying that they themselves are descendants of the Israelites. Hence their arguments are completely biased and can’t be relied on by serious scholars and bible prophecy students. The only thing we can rely on is scripture and objective common sense.
I would like to finish by referring to the words of Jesus to the Pharisees, where he argues that they should not become arrogant because Abraham is their ancestor because “God can take stones and make descendants for Abraham.” (Sorry, forgotten the verse number). Many since that time have dropped away from Judaism and, though Israelites by blood, no longer serve the Lord Almighty, for which God has always made clear there are severe consequences, like losing one’s home in the Promised Land. Also, many non-Israelites have become Jews through conversion and today live in Israel and enjoy an identity as co-heirs of Israel, along with born Jews. Though not children of Abraham, they are treated as such. Likewise, many who never had Israel as their father or even knew where on earth Israel was or is, have turned to the Lord with sincere hearts and have been reckoned as His own, as surely as Abraham was His own. They’re not worldly Jews but because they have circumcised their hearts, God will give them an inheritance in the heavenly Jerusalem which He will establish on earth in the last times. So in the real world of God, it doesn’t really make much difference who the descendants of Israel are today because at the end of the day, everyone will receive a just reward and portion with God for their faith and devotion to His law.
Thanks and God bless.
LEVITES (SACERDOTE) YAHSHEAR-DATH ASSIGNED TO EVERY TRIBES
Joshua 21:1-8 and 1Chronicles 6:63-81.
Joshua 21:1 Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
Joshua 21:2 And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, YAHWEH commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.
Joshua 21:3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of YAHWEH, these cities and their suburbs.
Joshua 21:4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, [which were] of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
Joshua 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath [had] by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
Joshua 21:6 And the children of Gershon [had] by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
Joshua 21:7 The children of Merari by their families [had] out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of
Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
Joshua 21:8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as YAHWEH commanded by the hand of Moses.
Sons of Yahshear (Jacob) from Leah, Rachel, Bilha, Zilpa
1. Ruben ———- 1. Ruben (Leah) - Yahshear Dath Merari the Priest
2. Simeon ——— 2. Simeon (Leah)– Yahshear Dath Cohat the Priest
3. Levi ———- Levi (Leah) sons Gerson, Cohat, Merari the Saserdote
4. Yahuwdah—— 3. Yahuwdah (Leah)– Yahshear Dath Cohat the Priest
5. Dan ———- 4. Dan (Bilha-Rachel )– Yahshear Dath Cohat the Priest
6. Nepthali——- 5. Nepthali (Bilha-Rachel)– Yahshear Dath Gerson the Priest
7. Gad ———- 6. Gad (Zilpa-Leah)– Yahshear Dath Merari the Priest
8. Asher——— 7. Asher (Zilpa-Leah)– Yahshear Dath Gerson the Priest
9. Isachar ——- 8. Isachar (Leah) –Yahshear Dath Gerson the Priest
10.Zabulon———9. Zabulon (Leah)– Yahshear Dath Merari the Priest
Dinah (Leah)
11.Yohseph ———-Joseph (Rachel) sons Manaseh and Efraim
12.BenYahmin——10. Manaseh-½ Tribe- Yahshear Dath Gerson the Priest
Manaseh-½ Tribe– Yahshear Dath Cohat the Priest
11. Efraim– Yahshear Dath Cohat the Priest
12. BenYahmin(Rachel)-Yahshear Dath Cohat the Priest
Sent Forth, and Commanded The Twelve Disciples
Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve YAHWEH-SHUA sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (YAHSHURUN).
Lost Sheep is the People of YAHWEH How They Were Lost?
Jeremiah 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Their Shepherds Have Caused Them To Go Astray
Jeremiah 23:23 Am I an Elohim at hand, saith YAHWEH , and not an Elohim afar off?
Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith YAHWEH . Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith YAHWEH .
Jeremiah 23:25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I
have dreamed, I have dreamed.
Jeremiah 23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
Jeremiah 23:27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith YAHWEH.
Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith YAHWEH ; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith YAHWEH , that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
Jeremiah 23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith YAHWEH, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
Jeremiah 23:32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith , and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith YAHWEH.
Jeremiah 23:33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of YAHWEH? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith YAHWEH.
Jeremiah 23:34 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of YAHWEH, I will even punish that man and his house.
Jeremiah 23:35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath YAHWEH answered? and, What hath YAHWEH spoken?
Jeremiah 23:36 And the burden of YAHWEH shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living Elohim, of YAHWEH of hosts our Elohim.
Jeremiah 23:37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath YAHWEH answered thee? and, What hath YAHWEH spoken?
Jeremiah 23:38 But since ye say, The burden of YAHWEH; therefore thus saith YAHWEH; Because ye say this word, The burden of YAHWEH, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of YAHWEH;
Jeremiah 23:39 Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:
Jeremiah 23:40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
How The False Priests and False Prophets Appear in True Worship of YAHWEH in Israel
THE TRUE PRIESTHOOD (LEGITIMATE PRIESTS) IS IN THE LINEAGE OF AARON AND IS PERPETUAL STATUTE MEANING FOREVER PRIESTHOOD IS THE DESCENDANTS OF AARON
Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
The Legitimate Priests was Replaced
THE TRUE PRIESTHOOD IN THE LINEAGE OF AARON THE LEVITES WITH PERPETUAL STATUTE OF BEING THE LEGITIMATE PRIESTS WAS REPLACED BY NOT OF THE SONS OF LEVI BY KING JEROBOAM OF ISRAEL
The Illegitimate Priests (Fake Priests)
1Kings 12:31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
1Kings 12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
1Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
1Kings 13:34 And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.
King Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto YAHWEH
2Chronicles 11:13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
2Chronicles 11:14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto YAHWEH .
2Chronicles 11:15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
2Chronicles 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek YAHWEH Mighty One of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto YAHWEH the Mighty One of their fathers.
2Chronicles 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
ORIGIN OF SACERDOTE
THE NAME ‘ISRAEL’ ORIGINATED FROM THE NAME (YASHAR) ‘YAHSHEAR’
yaw-shar’ a primitive root; to be straight
‘yesh-oo-roon’ Jeshurun, a symbol. name for Israel
yis-raw-ale’ a symbolical name of Jacob
Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel –₃₄₇₄ for as a prince hast thou power with Elohim and with men, and hast prevailed.
3474 yashar yaw-shar’ a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:– direct, fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right (on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be upright(-ly).
3475 Yesher yay’-sher from 3474; the right; Jesher, an Israelite: -Jesher.
3476 yosher yo’-sher from 3474; the right:–equity, meet, right, upright(-ness).
3477 yashar yaw-shawr’ from 3474; straight (literally or figuratively):–convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).
3484 Yshuruwn yesh-oo-roon’ from 3474; upright; Jeshurun, a symbol. name for Israel:–Jeshurun.
3478 Yisra’el yis-raw-ale’ from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity: — Israel.
3479 Yisra’el yis-raw-ale’ (Aramaic) corresponding to 3478:–Israel.
3481 Yisr’eliy yis-reh-ay-lee’ patronymically from 3478; a Jisreelite or descendant of Jisrael:–of Israel, Israelite.
3484 Yshuruwn yesh-oo-roon’ from 3474; upright; Jeshurun, a symbol. name for Israel:–Jeshurun.
dath Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Hebrew Dictionary
Pronunciation: Dawth (dawthu)
Definition:1) decree, law, edict, regulation, usage
1a) decree, edict, commission
1b) law, rule
of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation: a royal edict or statute:-commandment, commission, decree, law, manner.
DaTH
I used to think of DaTH (dawth-ho) as meaning void, since that’s the way the fluffy bunny new age kabbalah books present it. I was curious one day and decided to see if the word was in the Bible (in Hebrew version) and found that it means something like the Law written in our hearts, a kosmic consciousness that lets us know if we are in sync with the Tao That Be (or however you want to describe it). Here are a few of my notes on my research into DaTH.
Go on a spiritual quest to find values you can hold up as being what you stand for. You have found your inner DaTH. You have found the law written in your heart. What is law? A king gives a decree or edict that is the expression of the king’s will. [Esther 3:14, 8:13,
9:14] There was the concept that once a king issued this DaTH, it cannot be altered or revoked. [Daniel 2:15, 6:16] DaTH is entrusted to people. In the case of civil law, this DaTH is in the hands of judges, enforced by police, argued by lawyers, voted upon and recorded by politicians.
The Israelites had the concept of the ToWRaH being the DaTH of Yahweh. Ezra was given the title of Secretary of the irrevocable DaTH of the Almighty of heaven. [Ezra 7:2, 1 Esdras 8:9] The irrevocability of the DaTH from Yahweh was not questioned by Yahshua. Yahshua was not out to destroy the ToWRaH representing the DaTH from Yahweh, but to bring it to life in the hearts of people. [Matthew 5:17] He was not getting out a giant cosmic eraser. What he challenged was that DaTH of Yahweh was complete and contained in scriptures and traditions. He offered that DaTH of Yahweh can be known in the heart, directly experienced, with continued insights into this DaTH, renewed revelation, and ongoing prophecy.
This was not anti-Jewish at all. The idea was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Jews continued to redefine DaTH with the Mishnah, the Talmud, the Kabbalah, and to this day with books being published, web sites being built, deeper insights explored and lived out.
Here is something you can count on to be true for your entire life—CHoKMaH/Sophia and DaTH are treasures that will be your salvation. The greatest treasure comes from uniting with Yahweh. [Isaiah33:6]
A treasure is a reward after following a treasure hunt. A gift is never really valued as a treasure.
YAHWEH with a multitude approaches, from his right hand comes a shining DaTH. [Deuteronomy 33:2] DaTH is the invisible SHiPHRaH, the Law in the heart of Yahweh. DaTH is Law, but DaTH is also having an active conscious, a living Law written in the heart. DaTH is being conscious of the will of Yahweh, which we can concentrate upon, which we can be mindful of, which can direct our view of what Yahweh wants in each given situation. DaTH is beyond memorizing a collection of ancient rules. DaTH is a living part of each of us. I would dare say that people who have never heard one word of religion still know that it would be wrong to go on a murdering spree or steal from the neighbors when they are not at home. The commandments part of ToWRaH are not the DaTH, but are examples of using the DaTH in specific situations. The DaTH extends far beyond the few ancient case-by-case examples of what would not be acceptable behavior.Thus the Jewish/Kabbalist quest for the invisible DaTH is much like the Gnostic quest for direct connect, for gnosis. Maybe it is invisible because it is from another dimension, that light trapped in the darkness, our core Messiah’s Consciousness, our native our Nature.
Moses is Descendant of Aaron and was Called Dath Mosha
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia – Dath Mosha
Middle Eastern and North African Jewish community headdress may also resemble that of the ancient Israelites. In Yemen, the wrap around the cap was called ר צ מmassar; the head covering worn by all women according to Dath Mosha was a שוּגר ג “Gargush”.
THE LEGITIMATE PRIESTS FROM AARON DESCENDANTS WAS CALLED SACERDOTE COMBINATION OF THE NAME YAHSHEAR (Jacob) and PRIEST (DaTH) (Yahshear-Sacer and DaTH-Dote)
LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE PRIESTS OF ISRAEL
DESCENDANTS OF EFRAIM KING JEROBOAM OF ISRAEL REPLACED ALL OF AARON’S LEVITES LEGITIMATE PRIEST BY ORDINARY ISRAELI WHO BECOME ILLEGITIMATE PRIESTS
WHO IS KING JEROBOAM?
1Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was
Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
Ishmael Descendants
After roaming the wilderness for some time, Ishmael and his mother settled in the Desert of Paran, where he became an expert in archery. Eventually, his mother found him a wife from the land of Egypt.[6] They had 12 sons who became 12 tribal chiefs throughout the regions from Havilah to Shur (from Assyria to the border of Egypt).[7] His children are listed as follows:[8]
1.Nebaioth
2.Kedar, father of the Qedarites, (A northern Arab tribe that controlled the region between the Persian Gulf and the Sinai
Peninsula). According to tradition, ancestor of Muhammad and the Quraysh tribe.[9]
3.Adbeel, established a tribe in northwest Arabia.
4.Mibsam
5.Mishma
6.Dumah, associated with Adummatu described as “a fortress of Arabia” in Saudi Arabia.
7.Massa, father of a nomadic tribe that inhabited the Arabian desert toward Babylonia.
8.Hadad
9.Tema
10. Jetur
11. Naphish
12. Kedemah
Nebaioth
Nebaioth is the first-born son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Isaiah mentions him, together with his brother Kedar, among the tribes that will be gathered up for the Kingdom (60:7).
It’s not clear what the name Nebaioth might mean, or where it comes from. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names insists that it is the plural of an unused root (nabhah), to be high, and reads High Places (and refers to the name Ishbi-benob).
BDB Theological Dictionary seems to suggests that our name was originally spelled with a teth
instead of a taw, and has to do with (nabat), look, regard (see the name Nebat).
1Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
THEREFORE KING JEROBOAM OF ISRAEL IS A DESCENDANTS OF EFRAIM AND EFRAIM COMES FROM DESCENDANT OF NEBAT WHO IS THE SAME NEBAIOTH THE FIRST SON OF ISHMAEL
PROPHECY OF YAHWEH IN Genesei 15:13-14 WAS FULFILLED
Genesis 15:13-14 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Genesis 21:12-13 And YAHWEH said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
Genesis 48:5-6 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
Exodus 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that YAHWEH did bring the
children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
The Prophecy was fulfilled that the Seed of Abraham shall come out after 400 years
Exodus 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be an Elohim unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Genesis 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Genesis 25:9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
Isaiah 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
(PERPETUAL STATUTE)
Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE PRIESTS OF ISRAEL
DESCENDANTS OF EFRAIM KING JEROBOAM OF ISRAEL REPLACED ALL OF AARON’S
LEVITES LEGITIMATE PRIEST BY ORDINARY ISRAELI ILLEGITIMATE PRIESTS
FAKE PRIESTS (Illegitimate Priests)
1Kings 12:31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
1Kings 12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
1Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
1Kings 13:34 And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.
LEGITIMATE LEVITES PRIESTS OF ISRAEL LEFT THEIR SUBURBS AND CAME TO JUDAH AND JERUSALEM
2Chronicles 11:13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
2Chronicles 11:14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto YAHWEH .
2Chronicles 11:15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
2Chronicles 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek YAHWEH Mighty One of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto YAHWEH the Mighty One of their fathers.
2Chronicles 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
LEGITIMATE LEVITES PRIESTS OF ISRAEL STAYED ONLY THREE (3) YEARS IN JUDAH AND JERUSALEM
AFTER THREE (3) YEARS THE LEGITIMATE LEVITES PRIESTS OF ISRAEL WAS NO LONGER FOUND IN JERUSALEM. THE ONLY WAY OF ESCAPED IS THE NAVY OF SHIPS OF KING SOLOMON TRAVELING FOR THREE (3) YEARS FROM OPHIR FOR GOLD
2Chronicles 20:18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before YAHWEH, worshipping YAHWEH.
2Chronicles 20:19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise YAHWEH Elohim of Israel with a loud voice on high.
2Chronicles 9:21 For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.