Ten Lost Tribes of Israel

The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel refers to the ancient Israelites that formed the Kingdom of Israel and eventually 'disappeared' from Biblical and Talmudic history after the kingdom was destroyed by ancient Assyria around 720 BC. In order to better understand the story of the Lost Tribes, one must start at the beginning.

The Beginning

In approximately 1550 BC, Moses led an exodus of the Hebrews (later to become known as Israelites) from the land of Egypt and their oppressed captivity of 400 years (Genesis 15:13; Acts 7:6).  The Hebrews were descendants of Jacob's sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin). Towards the end of the Exodus, Moses sent twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:1-16), including Joshua who was Moses' faithful apprentice.  

  Moses and the Messengers from Canaan, by Giovanni Lanfranco

After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelite tribes in the conquest of Canaan and thusly allocated the land to the tribes. The 12 tribes consisted of Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Benjamin and the two sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). The tribe of Levi became the Priesthood and intermingled with all tribes. The 12 tribes of Israel remained one united kingdom until sometime during the late Bronze Age (c/930 BC). 

The Dispersion

When the Northern tribes rejected Solomon's son, Rehoboam, as their king in the United Monarchy after the death of King Solomon, they separated themselves from the Southern tribes and made Jeroboam their king and kept the title "Kingdom of Israel". The Southern tribes became known as the "Kingdom of Judah". The ten Northern tribes consisted of Reuben, possibly Simeon (a small portion given), Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim and Manasseh. The Southern tribes remained loyal to Rehoboam and consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In addition, some of the members of the tribe of Levi, who had no land allocation, stayed in the Northern kingdom; however, the members of the Priesthood [of Levi's tribe] remained in the Southern kingdom, thusly continuing Levi's heritage of intermingling with both kingdoms. Some scholars believe that the tribe of Simeon was alotted a small portion of land in the Kingdom of Judah, as well, and did not receive their own land due to their deceit and cruelty at Shechem (Genesis 49:5-7; Joshua 13:33).



The Lost Tribes

As soon as Jeroboam became king of Israel (Northern Kingdom), he introduced idol-worship to the nation and rejected the holy days commanded by God. Pagan living became common with the former House of David. This wicked practice continued for many generations in spite of God pleading with the kingdom through his prophets [such as Isaiah and Ezekiel].  Dynasties changed rapidly, instability reigned in the land and entire families of previous rulers were murdered so that no royal line remained. This became the norm for the kingdom of Israel. When the Israelites refused to succumb to the warning of their Creator, a promise to "root up Israel out of this good land and be scattered over the face of the Earth" was made. (1 Kings 14:15). The warning was ignored. In c/732 BC the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III, invaded Damascus and Israel and annexed the territory of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh in Gilead; he also captured the territory of Naphtali and the city of Janoah in Ephraim.  This resulted in their captivity. Israel continued to exist within a reduced territory as an independent kingdom subject to Assyria until about 720 BC when the remaining settlements were invaded and the remainder of the tribes were deported into captivity. The promise of the Israelite God was kept and the population of Israel (Northern Kingdom) was exiled as prophesied by Isaiah.    

The Conclusion

There are many theories revolving around the mysterious disappearance of the Ten Lost Tribes. Some traditions claim the ancient kingdom of Israel continues their hidden existence in our modern society and will one day make a public return.

Ezekiel 37:22 states - "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more."

Other sources believe the tribes lost their identity [for eternity], but did not wholly disappear. This theory is based upon the deported communities being mentioned as still existing at the time of the composition of the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Tanakh/Old Testament.   

Mishnah in Sanhedrin (110b) states: "The Ten Tribes will not return as it says (Nitzovim 29:8) And he threw them to a different land like this day." According to the words of Rabbi Akivah, "Just as a day passes and will never return, they too will be exiled never to return."

 

While there is a vast amount of literature on the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel - a subject based upon written religious tradition and partially upon speculation - there is no specific source that can be relied upon for a complete answer.