Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Tribes?

9 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Tribes in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about tribes. This collection of 9 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

9
Total Verses
6
Old Testament
3
New Testament

Top 9 Verses About Tribes

  1. 1
    Genesis 49:1
    And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Genesis 49:10
    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Genesis 49:28
    All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Exodus 28:21
    And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve , according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Numbers 36:9
    Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Jeremiah 31:10
    Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
    KJV
  7. 7
    John 3:16
    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Acts 17:10
    And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
    KJV
  9. 9
    James 1:1
    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Tribes? (6 Verses)

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve , according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.
Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Tribes? (3 Verses)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Tribes

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about tribes. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about tribes and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about tribes is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on tribes needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about tribes with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about tribes, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Tribes?

You have studied 9 verses about tribes. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about tribes?
Explore what the Bible says about tribes. This collection of 9 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 9 key verses about tribes spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about tribes are there?
There are 9 key Bible verses about tribes compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about tribes?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about tribes is Genesis 49:1 — "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days."
Where in the Bible does it talk about tribes?
Tribes is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 9 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Continue Studying Tribes