Simeon @ hearing. (1.) The second son of Jacob by Leah Genesis:29:33). He was associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (34:25-26). He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage (42:24). His father, when dying, pronounced a malediction against him (49:5-7). The words in the Authorized Version (49:6), "they digged down a wall," ought to be, as correctly rendered in the Revised Version, "they houghed an ox." (2.) An aged saint who visited the temple when Jesus was being presented before the Lord, and uttered lofty words of thankgiving and of prophecy Luke:2:29-35). (3.) One of the ancestors of Joseph Luke:3:30). (4.) Surnamed Niger, i.e., "black," perhaps from his dark complexion, a teacher of some distinction in the church of Antioch Acts:13:1-3). It has been supposed that this was the Simon of Cyrene who bore Christ's cross. Note the number of nationalities represented in the church at Antioch. (5.) James Acts:15:14) thus designates the apostle Peter (q.v.).
Simeon, The tribe of @ was "divided and scattered" according to the prediction in Genesis:49:5-7. They gradually dwindled in number, and sank into a position of insignificance among the other tribes. They decreased in the wilderness by about two-thirds (comp. Numbers:1:23Numbers:26:14). Moses pronounces no blessing on this tribe. It is passed by in silence Deuteronomy:33). This tribe received as their portion a part of the territory already allotted to Judah Joshua:19:1-9). It lay in the south-west of the land, with Judah on the east and Dan on the north; but whether it was a compact territory or not cannot be determined. The subsequent notices of this tribe are but few ( 1Chronicles:4:24-43). Like Reuben on the east of Jordan, this tribe had little influence on the history of Israel.
SIMEON @ - (heard). The second of Jacob’s son by Leah. His birth is recorded in Genesis:29:33) The first group of Jacob’s children consists, besides Simeon, of the three other sons of Leah --Reuben, Levi, Judah. Besides the massacre of Shechem, Genesis:34:25) the only personal incident related of Simeon is the fact of his being selected by Joseph as the hostage for the appearance of Benjamin. Genesis:42:19Genesis:42:24,36; 43:23) The chief families of the tribe of Simeon are mentioned int he lists of Genesis:46:10) At the census of Sinai Simeon numbered 59,300 fighting men. Numbers:1:23) When the second census was taken, at Shittim, the numbers had fallen to 22,200, and it was the weakest of all the tribes. This was no doubt partly due to the recent mortality following the idolatry of Peor, but there must have been other causes which have escaped mention. To Simeon was allotted a portion of land out of the territory of Judah, on its southern frontier, which contained eighteen or nineteen cities, with their villages, spread round the venerable well of Beersheba. Joshua:19:1-8; 1Chronicles:4:28-33) Of these places, with the help of Judah, the Simeonites possessed themselves, Judges:1:3Judges:1:17) and there they were found, doubtless by Joab, residing in the reign of David. ( 1Chronicles:4:31) What part of the tribe took at the time of the division of the kingdom we are not told. The only thing which can be interpreted into a trace of its having taken any part with the northern kingdom are the two casual notices of ( 2Chronicles:15:9) and 2Chronicals:34:6 Which appear to imply the presence of Simeonites there in the reigns of Asa and Josiah. On the other hand the definite statement of ( 1Chronicles:4:41-43) proves that at that time there were still some of them remaining in the original seat of the tribe, and actuated by all the warlike, lawless spirit of their progenitor. A devout Jew, inspired by the Holy Ghost, who met the parents of our Lord in the temple, took him in his arms, and gave thanks for what he saw and knew of Jesus. Luke:2:25-35) There was a Simeon who succeeded his father Hillel as president of the Sanhedrin about A.D. 13, and whose son Gamaliel was the Pharisee at whose feet St. Paul was brought up. Acts:22:3) It has been conjectured that he may be the Simeon of St. Luke.
Home
Bible
PCARR
Discuss
Help
BibleTools>