Tribe
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Matt. 19:28)—one of the major divisions of Israel descended from Jacob’s sons. Joseph’s inheritance was represented through Ephraim and Manasseh, while Levi was set apart for priestly and Levitical service; biblical lists therefore arrange the traditional number twelve in different ways according to purpose. Genealogical memory still identified persons by tribe in the New Testament period, such as Anna of Asher, Paul of Benjamin, and Christ according to the flesh from Judah (Luke 2:36; Rom. 11:1; Heb. 7:14).