Expert: Edward Bode - 8/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: Why 12 tribes are never the same from Old to New Testimony?  Someplace said the Levite is not counting, but is counting at other place.  (Compare the Book of Numbers, Chapter 1, verse 47, Chap 17, verse 2 & 3)( Deuteronomy, Chap 27, verse 12 & 13, Chap 33, verse 1 to 24).  I really confused. Do they have special meaning in this?  Please advise.

ANSWER: You are correct in finding discrepancies about the names of tribes of Israel.
Until the time of David, the tribes formed a confederacy based on a common religion and a central sanctuary.  Traditonally, the tribes numbered 12.  When the originally secular tribe of Levi lost its ancestral lands and its members were absorbed as priests into other tribes, the number 12 was preserved by counting the original tribe of Joseph as two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh.  After the monarchy, the tribes lost political importance until almost all of the tribes were absorbed into either Juda or Ephraim.
The original tradition of the 12 continued to receive recognition and respect as is evidenced in the New Testament.
I hope these thoughts help, hai-rou.  You are always welcome to write again.
Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mr Bode,
Thanks of your answer, but I still don't get from your explanation.  For instance, in the Book of Numbers, Chap 1 and Chap 17 are at the same period, but the name of 12 tribe is so different.  Could you explain more detail?  Thank you and have a good day

In His Grace,
Hai-Rou

Answer
Scholars debate the age of the tradition behind Num 1 -- here Levi has been replaced, as I indicated, by two tribes of Joseph.  In chapter 17, a reference to Levi, possibly is a different Priestly tradition being used to give emphasis to the role of Aaron.
That two traditions appear close to each other does not necessarily mean that the traditions are of the same age or source. [For example, Gen 7 is a mix of Priestly and Yahwistic traditions.]
Determining the source and the age of the traditions behind the first five books of the bible is a very complex and vexing task.
For further details, you could consult: Lawrence Boadt, Reading the Old Testament: an Introduction [New York: Paulist Press, 1984]. Available through a library.  Check the index for Yahwist, Priestly, Eloist, and Deuteronomic tradtions.
If you desire more, I am still available.
Best wishes.