twelve tribes

After blessing Joseph and his sons, Jacob called for his other sons and said, “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.” “Rueben: The firstborn, excels in honor and power but is turbulent as the waters. He will no longer excel because you went onto your father’s

The Twelve Tribes of Israel descended from the patriarch Jacob (who was later named Israel). Jacob had 12 sons and at least one daughter (Dinah) by two wives, Leah and Rachel, and two concubines, Zilpah and Bilhah.  Joseph's tribe was split into two factions - Manasseh and Ephraim - in a process involving Isaac's adoption of Joseph's sons and elimination of Reuben's