Twelve Tribes of Israel Word Search
Discover the tribes of israel through this interactive puzzle
How to Play
Find all twelve tribes of Israel hidden in the grid. Words can appear horizontally (left to right), vertically (top to bottom), diagonally (in any direction), and even backwards. Highlight each name as you find it. Challenge yourself to find all the names without using the word list first!
Learn More About The Twelve Tribes of Israel
The story of the twelve tribes begins with a man named Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, and the son of Isaac. You can read about Jacob’s life starting in Genesis 25.
Jacob fell in love with a woman named Rachel, but was deceived by her father, Laban, into first marrying Leah, Rachel’s older sister (Genesis 29:15–30). Though Jacob had intended to marry only Rachel, he ended up with two wives—Leah and Rachel—and also had children with their maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah.
Though Jacob loved Rachel more, God saw that Leah was unloved and opened her womb (Genesis 29:31). Through Leah came many of Jacob’s sons—including Judah, whose lineage would later bring forth King David and, eventually, Jesus Christ (see Matthew 1:1–16 for the genealogy).
Jacob’s life was transformed after he wrestled with God one night. After this divine encounter, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means “he struggles with God” (Genesis 32:28). From then on, Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons, who became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each son’s descendants formed a tribe. These are also the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery. These are the twelve sons:
Reuben
- Mother: Leah
- Meaning of Name: “Behold, a son”
- Traits: Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn, but he lost his birthright due to dishonoring his father (Genesis 35:22, 1 Chronicles 5:1).
- Symbol: Water
- Prophetic Blessing: Genesis 49:3–4
- Reuben’s tribe lacked leadership and didn’t rise to prominence.
Simeon
- Mother: Leah
- Meaning of Name: “God has heard”
- Traits: Along with Levi, Simeon violently avenged their sister Dinah (Genesis 34), leading to a scattered inheritance.
- Prophetic Blessing: Genesis 49:5–7
- Territory: Eventually absorbed into Judah
- A warning about anger and revenge.
Levi
- Mother: Leah
- Meaning of Name: “Attached” or “Joined”
- Role: The priestly tribe, set apart to serve in the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Numbers 3:5–13).
- Blessing: Deuteronomy 33:8–11
- No land inheritance, but received cities
- Symbol of worship, intercession, and holiness.
Judah
- Mother: Leah
- Meaning of Name: “Praise”
- Role: Tribe of kings, including David and Jesus Christ (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:1–3)
- Symbol: Lion – “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5)
- Blessing: Genesis 49:8–12
- Leadership, praise, royalty, and the Messianic line.
Dan
- Mother: Bilhah (Rachel’s servant)
- Meaning of Name: “He judged”
- Role: Known for military might and idolatry later on (Judges 18).
- Blessing: Genesis 49:16–17
- Symbol: Serpent
- Often seen as a warning tribe, Dan is notably left out of the 144,000 in Revelation 7.
Naphtali
- Mother: Bilhah
- Meaning of Name: “My struggle”
- Blessing: Genesis 49:21
- Notable Area: Galilee – where Jesus did much of His ministry (Isaiah 9:1–2; Matthew 4:13–15).
- Known for freedom, swiftness, and eloquence.
Gad
- Mother: Zilpah (Leah’s servant)
- Meaning of Name: “A troop comes”
- Symbol: Warrior
- Blessing: Genesis 49:19
- Represents overcoming in battle – spiritual warfare.
Asher
- Mother: Zilpah
- Meaning of Name: “Happy” or “Blessed”
- Symbol: Olive tree or bread.
- Blessing: Genesis 49:20
- Associated with abundance, provision, and joy.
Issachar
- Mother: Leah
- Meaning of Name: “There is reward”
- Blessing: Genesis 49:14–15
- Role: Wise, prophetic insight, strategic counsel
- Symbol: Sun and moon (symbolizing discernment of times)
- Known for the “Issachar Anointing” – understanding the times and seasons (1 Chronicles 12:32).
Zebulun
- Mother: Leah
- Meaning of Name: “Dwelling” or “Exalted”
- Blessing: Genesis 49:13
- Symbol: Ship or harbor
- Associated with trade, business, and support of missions (see Deuteronomy 33:18–19).
Joseph
- Mother: Rachel
- Meaning of Name: “He will add”
- Role: Jacob gave Joseph a double portion – his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each became a tribe (Genesis 48:5).
- Blessing: Genesis 49:22–26
- Joseph’s Life: Genesis 37–50
- Favor, fruitfulness, integrity, and prophetic destiny.
Benjamin
- Mother: Rachel
- Meaning of Name: “Son of the right hand”
- Blessing: Genesis 49:27
- Tribe Traits: Fierce warriors (Judges 20), but also deeply loyal (King Saul, Paul the Apostle were Benjamites)
- Symbol: Wolf
- Symbolizes boldness, power, and fierce loyalty
Special Notes
- Levi had no land inheritance but was given the priesthood and cities.
- Joseph’s double portion means Ephraim and Manasseh are often listed in place of him or Levi to maintain 12 tribes in different lists.
- Dan is excluded in Revelation 7 but appears again in Ezekiel 48 when land is distributed in the millennial kingdom.