The Tribes of Israel Trivia Quiz

Answer: Reuben

Along with a couple of other Tribes, Reuben was granted the land east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. As they had a lot of livestock, they settled in a region that included the plain of Madaba. Traditionally, their borders extended to the Arnon River to the south, and as far north as the Dead Sea extended. To the east, their border was ill-defined, as it extended into desert.

Answer: Simeon

The borders between Simeon and the Tribe of Judah were never well-defined, so much so that many Biblical scholars believe Simeon to have been an enclave within Judah's borders. References to Simeon in Chronicles 1 and 2 show the peoples of Simeon to be somewhat nomadic in nature, looking for suitable pasture for their flocks of sheep.

Answer: Judah

Judah was foremost among the Tribes of Israel, being the first to go and occupy its territory in Canaan. For a time, the Tribes were united into the Kingdom of Israel, under Saul, David, and Solomon. After Rehoboam came to the throne, the Kingdom was split into the northern Kingdom of Israel (with 10 Tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (consisting of Judah and Benjamin).

Answer: Dan

A famous Danite was the Judge Samson, known for his great strength. After the events of Samson's time, the Danites relocated to the far north of Canaan, giving up on any hope of neighbourly relations with the Philistines.

Answer: Naphtali

Naphtali was bordered by two Tribes to the west, another to the south, and the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River making its eastern border. Originally, they had no other Tribe to their north, making their border the Litani River, but eventually the Tribe of Dan relocated to become their northern neighbour.

Answer: Gad

Apart from having the Jordan River as their western border, the remaining borders of Gad were ill-defined. To the south was the Tribe of Reuben and to the north was the Tribe of Manasseh (of the House of Joseph). To the east of Gad was the land of the Ammonites, from which threat of incursion periodically arose.

Answer: Asher

The precise borders of Asher are indefinite, but it was largely defined as the coastal region of Galilee, from the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Tribe of Naphtali to the east. Two more Tribes were located to the south, and Asher extended as far north as the city of Sidon.

Answer: Issachar

Issachar was surrounded by three Tribes, one each to the north, west and south, with the Jordan River on its eastern border (south of the Sea of Galilee). As a people known for their scholars, the Tribe of Issachar had a strong relationship with one of its neighbouring Tribes, not only for familial bonds, but practical ones as well (they were known for their mercantile endeavours).

Answer: Zebulun

Zebulun was surrounded by four other Tribes, but it had a special relationship with Issachar, providing financial support to their neighbour's scholarly study of the Torah. By doing so, they also received the blessing that came from doing such work.

Answer: Benjamin

Benjamin was surrounded by four other Tribes, along with a fifth just across the Jordan River at its eastern border. Before the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel, the Tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped out in the Battle of Gibeah (recounted in Judges 20). But the first King of Israel was a Benjamite named Saul.