Part Eleven

MODERN NATIONS OF THE TEN TRIBES

TRIBE OF JUDAH - THE “SCEPTRE” TRIBE’S YOUNG NATION
 

The tribe of Judah came to be known as the Jews. 2 Kings 16:6 Judah was originally one of the largest tribes of Israel, but is now one of the smaller Israelite tribes in the modern age. Since the Jews were a stateless people until 1948, and given the depopulation of the Jews in World War Two, they have had little chance for their population to grow. The fact that the Jews were a stateless people for two thousand years supports their identification as the tribe of Judah.
When the united kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon split into two nations, the term Judah or House of Judah, referred to the southern nation with its capital at Jerusalem. The northern kingdom of Israel, inhabited by the ten northern tribes, had its capital at Samaria and was known as Israel (1 Kings 11 and 12). The kingdoms of Judah and Israel fought many wars with each other. In 2 Kings 16:5-6, Israel made war against the Jews. Israelites and Jews were two different people living in separate kingdoms. Two warring brothers, so to speak.

Israel went into captivity in 721 BC when the Assyrians took Samaria. Judah went into captivity some 135 years later in 586 BC when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Later a contingent of Jews was allowed to return to Judea to rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem by Persian King Cyrus. Ezra 1:5 thru 2:70 makes it clear that only persons from Judah, Levi, and Benjamin--the tribes of the former kingdom of Judah--were among those returnees. Ezra occasionally uses the term “children of Israel” to describe them. This is not to become confused with “House of Israel” as all the 12 tribes are children of Jacob (Israel).

The majority of the ten tribes of Israel did not return to live in their ancient homeland. A portion of them had, however, temporarily reoccupied it during the reign of King Josiah, when the Scythians ruled briefly from 40 BC to 37 BC. Remember the Scythians were composed of the ten tribes of Israel with the name of Isaac upon them. A small number returned to live in Judea, but the majority did not return.

God promised that the tribe of Judah would produce a permanent dynasty of rulers (kings) in Genesis 49:10: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. The word Shiloh means Messiah and this is a latter day prophecy about the tribes of Israel, so it indicates that there must still be a ruling dynasty of Judah reigning on earth today. The nation of Israel today has no king, so this king has to be ruling somewhere else.

Jeremiah prophesied that King David’s dynasty would be a perpetual one (Jeremiah 33:17), indicating that his dynasty will be continual until the Messiah comes. Jeremiah 33:17 prophesies that David’s dynasty would perpetually rule over the house of Israel. Since the Messiah has not yet come, we must look for David’s royal progeny today among the nations of the modern ten tribes of Israel.

As we have previously studied, the Davidic dynasty was continued in Asia by the kings of Iberia in the Caucasus Mountain region, the Saka kings of west India, and the Arsacid kings of Parthia. When the Parthians fled to Europe, Arsacid princes remained in Armenia for two more centuries. When the Parthian and Scythian refugees fled and adopted names such as Goths, Germans, and Saxons on their migrations into Europe, their royalty were still descended from Parthia’s Arsacid princes. These transplanted Arsacid princes furnished the gene pool for many kings of the early European tribes as they migrated into Europe. At least some of the royal houses of Europe are descended from the above hereditary princes.

Some of these dynasties still exist today in the royalty of modern Europe, even though their roles today are chiefly ceremonial. Since the royal houses of Europe often intermarried, David’s royal line was/is scattered throughout Europe’s ruling dynasties. There are those who believe that the royal house of Great Britain are descended directly from King David in an unbroken line through the dynasties of Ireland and Scotland (See Scottish Declaration of Independence 1320 AD), others see it through the Scythian-Parthian-Goth-German hereditary.

The term “divine right of kings” may have originated in a long-forgotten awareness that many European rulers were descended from King David. David’s descendents really do possess a “divine right” to rule based on God’s promises in the Bible.

Now consider the biblical traits of Judah, the son of Jacob who gave his name to the tribe of Judah. When Joseph’s brothers were about to kill him, Judah saw a way to make money out of the situation. Genesis 37:26-27 shows that he suggested selling Joseph as a slave: “So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened.

Judah had an aptitude for financial matters that his brothers did not possess, even though in this case it was unprincipled. Judah’s original aptitude for making money has historically resulted in a strong Jewish presence in banking, finance, and mercantile enterprises. Since money begets power, we could expect many Jews to be prominent in governmental positions.

The Bible reveals that Judah had a very sharp mind, was very detailed, and could apply his knowledge to real life situations. In Genesis 44:14 thru 45:8, Judah made an impassioned speech to Joseph for the lives of his family that brought Joseph to tears.

This trait of thinking in a precise, legalistic manner has been apparent throughout the history of the Jews. The Jews of Jesus’ time had built a “wall” of extra rules around God’s Torah (law) to prevent them from breaking the law! Jesus indicted them for being too legalistic and obscuring the wisdom and love of the original Torah laws. This detailed, legalistic nature also served a very great purpose in preserving the Old Testament (Romans 3:1-2). No other tribe had the ability to preserve laws, customs, and tradition over two millennia. ( Note: The Levites were part of Judah )

Further prophecy concerning Judah in the latter days is noted in Genesis 49:8-9-(12): “ Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up.”

Judah is depicted as a warlike nation in the latter days. The Israelis have been militarily successful in their Mideast wars with the help of God, fulfilling this prophecy of a lion killing it’s prey. In Zephaniah 2:7 we also see Judah re-established as a nation, free from captivity. This prophecy refers to the Jews as the “remnant of the house of Judah” without mentioning Israel.

The name of the Jewish state is misleading. In 1948 when they decided to call the nation Israel, President Harry Truman was surprised when the Jews failed to name the country “Judea.” Truman understood the difference between Judah and Israel! (Newsweek May 2007) Finally, the tribe of Judah is likened to a lion’s whelp. They are a young country and they are bold like a lion, even predatory, in their military approach. It is easy to locate the tribe of Judah in modern times.

EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH - THE “BIRTHRIGHT” TRIBES
Ephraim and Manasseh were the chief tribes of the House of Israel, and the Bible offers much information about them. The tribe of Joseph was subdivided into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, who jointly received the “birthright” blessings.

The birthright blessings/promises of the Abrahamic Covenant included: Great nationhood, God’s blessing of their friends and cursing on their enemies, the ability to bless other nations on earth, great population growth, and the promise of growth into many nations. Genesis 12:2-3, 13:15-16, 17:4-7

In Genesis 22:16-18, God restated His promise of explosive population growth, and added a promise that Abraham’s descendants would “possess the gate of his enemies.” These birthright promises were passed from Isaac to Jacob with the following words in Genesis 27:28-29…God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Agricultural blessing were included, soil fertility, good climates, and the promise of dominance over other nations. They were also promised large population and spread of population all across the earth. Genesis 28:14: And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

In Genesis 48 Jacob, who was called Israel, gave the birthright promises to Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph. In Genesis 48:19 Jacob promised that Manasseh shall become a people, and he also shall be great, but that Ephraim’s descendants “shall be greater than Manasseh, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.” At this time Jacob gave Ephraim the first born blessing over Manasseh who was the oldest son. Gen 48:13-22

The modern nations that have fulfilled Ephraim’s prophecy are, England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The modern nation of the United States of America fulfills Manasseh’s prophecy. When you combine the populations of these nations they are by far the most numerous nations of the modern tribes of Israel. Even as Ephraim and Manasseh were brothers, so the United States and the nations of the British Commonwealth share common language, heritage, and culture. They have also rallied together to fight common enemies in the world.

Since Ephraim was to be greater, he received his birthright promises first. History fulfilled that expectation as Great Britain rose to international prominence long before the USA was even founded. Great Britain, at its zenith, ruled over many more nations and geographic area than the USA ever did. It was once said, “the sun never sets on the British Empire.” The British Empire at one time included: Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, many African nations, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ceylon, Burma, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, eastern New Guinea, and many islands in the Ocean!

The 1943 Encyclopedia Britannica recorded that the British Empire once ruled 13 million square miles of the earth’s land surface. That was before their rule was briefly extended over Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq after World War Two. “Britannia rules the waves” was a common saying in Britain’s glory days. The British also controlled the “gates of its enemies”--the strategic “chokepoints” such as the Suez Canal, Gibraltar, and the Cape of Good Hope. The British Empire continued the heritage of the Israel-Phoenician-Carthage empires: a small homeland ruling over a network of colonies on many other continents.

The United States of America, Manasseh, began inheriting its birthright in the 20^th century, especially after the Second World War. At its height the USA ruled over the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, Cuba, and various islands in the Oceans. The USA also built the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most strategic gates.

While Great Britain sought to aggressively expand its empire, the USA has exhibited an “isolationist” tendency in its history rather than rule over a vast empire. The British used their armies to hold territory, while the USA normally withdraws as quickly as possible. It can be argued, however, that the USA uses its financial might and the reserve currency status of the US dollar to control nations in a more subtle way.

BRITISH ISRAELISM EXPLAINED
Some readers may think that these assertions sound like British-Israelism which was a doctrine that developed in the 19^th century and Victorian heyday of the British Empire. At that time, some British Bible scholars correctly saw that the Anglo-Saxons exhibited the characteristics of the “birthright” tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. This led to an expectation by some of them that the British Empire was, or would develop into, the kingdom of God on earth. That expectation waned when it became clear that the British Empire would not become the millennial kingdom of God.

The Jewish Encyclopedia briefly says that British-Israelism is: "The theory of Anglo-Israelism is based upon an extremely literal interpretation of the Old Testament, as represented by King James's version and by an application of texts brought together from the prophecies about Israel; and its advocates attempt to bring their readers into the dilemma that England and its colonies must be the Israel to whom the promises were made in the Bible, or that these promises have been unfulfilled. At the start, distinction is made between the ultimate fates of Israel and Judah. For the former all the blessings of the Bible are reserved; whereas the latter, represented in modern times by the Jews, are to experience all the curses threatened to the backsliding people in the prophecies." Read more: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com

Obviously, the reversal of blessings, that the Jews are to experience all the curses, and the Israelite nations receive the blessing of God is FALSE. There is, however, a modern Jewish scholarship that does take the Bible literally on the subject of “who” the modern day tribes of Israel are. Yair Davidy, a Jewish Israeli author, has written several books, including The Tribes, Ephraim, Joseph, and Lost Israelite Identity affirming these identifications of tribes. His work looks at the returning of the ten tribes from a Jewish perspective--as they wait for Messiah to return. Davidy’s books have been published with supportive rabbinic approbations, and they can be found at: http://www.israelite.info/bookreviews/yairdavidy.html or www.britam.org
Another Jewish organization aware of the lost tribes is Kol Ha Tor. http://www.kolhator.org.il/

Back to Ephraim and Manasseh…since their initial struggles in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, the British-American alliance has dominated world politics, fulfilling Gen 27:29 that ‘nations will bow down to thee.” Also look at Deuteronomy 33:13-17.

Ephraim and Manasseh have weaknesses as well. Britain has historically done a better job of dealing with other nations and and having a coherent foreign policy. The USA often makes foreign policy decisions which bewilder other nations. America lavishes trade agreements and commercial concessions to communist China, but refuses to speak to Cuba. Does this make sense?

There are many other things that can be said about Britain and the USA. For now that will end our discussion on Ephraim and Manasseh. There is much more.

THE TRIBE OF REUBEN - THE PASSIONATE FIRSTBORN
Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob and Leah, and his descendants would ordinarily have received the “birthright” blessing of the Abrahamic Covenant. We learn a lot about Reuben in Genesis 37.12-35. Reuben did not participate in or consent to killing or selling Joseph into slavery when his younger brothers were plotting on what to do. This shows Reuben’s good intentions, but he lacked the follow through. He inexplicably wandered away from this urgent situation at a critical moment. He also joined in with his brothers in lying to Jacob that a lion had killed Joseph.

Reuben had great physical appetites, and had difficulty controlling his sexual urges. Genesis 35.22 tells us he committed adultery with Bilhah, his father’s concubine. She was the mother of Reuben’s half brothers, Dan and Naphtali. Genesis 49.2-4 tells us this episode moved Jacob to transfer the birthright promises from Leah’s first-born son Reuben, to Rachel’s first-born son Joseph.

The ancient Reubenites lived in Gilead, east of the Jordan River along with the tribe of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. They were carried into captivity by Assyrians years before the fall of Samaria. (2 Kings 10.33, 15.29, 1 Chronicles 5.26)

When the Massagetae and allied Sacae tribes moved from the Caspian Sea region into the eastern portion of Parthia’s empire, they resettled in Sakastan. Since the Reubenites were with the Mannasehites in Gilead, and they both went into captivity at the same time, they are likely to have allied themselves with the Mannasehite portion of the Massagetae, and constituted one of the allied “Sacae” tribes.

To identify the Reubenites, we must rely on the clues of the prophecy in Genesis 49.3-4 “Reuben, you are my firstborn; my might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in pride and preeminent in power. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.”

While Reubenites will have “pride and power” in the latter days, they will not have preeminence over the other tribes because they had lost the birthright to Joseph. The Reubenites will be a volatile, emotional people, boiling over like water (unstable). His lack of sexual restraint indicates a people known for relaxed sexual practices in the modern world.

What nation in modern Europe has substantial power and pride, but less power than the English, Americans, or Germans? France immediately comes to mind. They are the next most powerful nation in the western alliance and at one time had a substantial colonial empire of their own. The French have a tradition of military power as Napoleon was one of the world’s great generals, conquering much of Europe and led his forces all the way to Moscow. The French have and even today, contend with the British and Germans for leadership in European affairs.

The French are known as a proud people who strive to preserve French culture and the French language against a dominate tide of Anglo-Saxon culture. France even has laws against the use of certain English words and recently passed a law forbidding women to wear Islamic Burka’s in public.

For much of the 20^th century the French exhibited great “instability” in their nation, changing governments at an incredible rate. The Encyclopedia Americana has noted that: “…during the 70 years of the Third Republic (1875-1945)…more than 100 cabinets succeeded one another in France, with an average tenure in office of less than eight months…constitutional life under the Fourth Republic (1945-1958) averaged less than the Third Republic.

Finally the French have a passion for enjoying life. Gourmet food, and drink, French cuisine, grand cru wines. Then we have French kisses, French films, fashions, perfume, etc.

THE TRIBES OF LEVI AND SIMEON - SCATTERED WARRIORS
The Bible says these tribes would not have their own nations in the last days, but would be scattered among the other tribes of Israel. Genesis 49:5-7 addresses them jointly: “ Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.”

The reference to oxen should say, “maimed oxen just for fun.” The reference to killing men concerns the events in Genesis 34, when Simeon and Levi killed all the males of a town because one man had premarital sex with their sister Dinah, even though she had apparently consented to the sex. These two tribes had a propensity to violence, or in other words they would “shoot first and ask questions later.”

Genesis 49 implies that if God had allowed these tribes to become nations in the last days they would have been ruthless, militaristic nations. They are probably among the more patriotic and nationalistic citizens of nations in these days. Their inclination for violence could draw them into security, military, police, or criminal activity.

The Bible’s account of Joseph meeting his brothers who had sold him into slavery shows harsh treatment to Simeon. Joseph let Simeon languish in prison while the others returned to Canaan. Genesis 42:24 Joseph recalled that Simeon had been the leader of the effort to kill him before Judah convinced them to spare his life for profit. Gen 37:18-20

Simeonites have good qualities as well. Many of them moved to Judah to serve God when Israel had forsaken the Lord (2 Chronicles 15:9 and 34:60. Simeonites were prominent in joining the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh to serve God, and in acting in concert with Ephraim and Manasseh exhibit a zeal for God. They will probably be found in significant numbers among the modern day tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

There is historical evidence that the Simonii arrived in ancient Briton in 720 BC and are related to the Celts, a fierce warrior clan. The Romans and Saxons were never able to entirely subdue these people.

LEVITES
The Levites were originally given 48 cities to live in throughout the Kingdom of Israel before the separation. They were the priests who interpreted the law and performed the sacrificial rites in the Temple. When Jeroboam 1 of Israel rejected God’s laws, the Levites moved into the kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13-17). Many Levites were affiliated with the Jews in Asia and some accompanied Ezra and Nehemiah in rebuilding the Temple and Jerusalem. Ezra 1:5, Nehemiah 7:39-45

Many Levites remained in the Parthian Empire and some of them may have been the Magi who visited Jesus as they were a “hereditary” priesthood. Today Levites are scattered among the Jews and the nations of the ten tribes of Israel. The Levites also had a capacity for violence and a zeal for God. Exodus 32 records the Levites executing the Israelite leaders who sinned idolatrously with the golden calf in the wilderness.

The Levites were not squeamish people and were the perfect choice for butchering the animal sacrifices. In a more positive note they make excellent surgeons, soldiers, and morticians!

Jeremiah 37:17-22 contains God’s promise that David’s descendents will perpetually rule over the house of Israel, and that the Levites will perpetually be involved in priestly service. It was shown above that the Levites may have been part of the Parthian Magi who were a “hereditary priesthood.” The fact that God interacted with the Magi shows these priests are Levitical--God would not interact with pagan priests. According to Jeremiah’s prophesy in 33:17-22 where are the Levites today? They are most likely among Jewish Rabbi’s and Christian pastors. God prophesied he would scatter the Levites among both Judah and Israel. Finally, Levites also had a special gift for music and entertainment. 1 Chronicles 15:14-28, 2 Chronicles 5:12-13

The clear indication is that one clan of Levites possessed superior musical, artistic, and creative skills. So it would make sense that many Levites are in the music and entertainment world today.

TRIBE OF BENJAMIN - RAVENOUS TRIBE OF THE NORTH
Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the only full brother to Joseph. This tribe was almost exterminated in an ancient Israelite civil war in which Benjamin was fearless and foolhardy enough to fight all the other tribes at one time. Judges 19-21

The Benjaminites were fierce warriors and even though they lost the war, they won two battles against superior odds. At the end of this needless war they were reduced to 600 men. From that time on they were the smallest tribe in Israel.

When the tribes of Israel divided into the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel, Benjamin remained with the tribe of Judah. After Judah’s captivity in Babylon, a contingent of Benjaminites returned with the Jews to rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem.

Ancient records state that “…representatives of Benjamin spread over the whole length and breadth of Asia Minor.” The book of 1 Peter begins by addressing “God’s people scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” The term Galatia indicates the same people as the Gauls of Europe. The Bible records that Saul of Tarsus, Paul the Apostle, was born in Asia Minor, so some Benjaminites must have lived there.

The Biblical clue for Benjamin’s location in the modern world is in Genesis 49:27. Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

Wolves are indigenous to northern climates. The only European nation not yet identified in a northern latitude as a tribe of Israel is Norway. This nation is lightly populated, consistent with the tribe of Benjamin being small. Norway has traditionally had excellent relations with the British and Americans, which would be expected of Benjamin, the tribe most genetically closest to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Since Iceland was populated by Viking Norseman, the Icelandic people are also likely of the tribe of Benjamin.

The phrases “devouring the prey” and “dividing the spoil” could describe Norway today. They have been fierce supporters of Hamas and are often politically against the modern day nation of Israel. This brings division in modern Israel as Norway supports dividing the land. Ancient Vikings were also fierce warriors and raided Britain and Europe. Benjamin also fought against all the ancient tribes. Wolves were prominent in Viking art and mythology.

Norway also brokered the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993 between the Israeli’s and Palestinians. This accord has been a stumbling block to peace in the middle east. This has caused political division in Israel today.

THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI - A HIND LET LOOSE
Naphtali was a son of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. Naphtali’s inheritance was in the northern portion of Canaan, and Assyria carried the entire tribe captive into Asia years before the fall of Samaria (2 Kings 15:29). They are one of the easiest tribes to locate in Asia as their tribal name remained virtually unchanged.

They were the Ephthalite or Nephthalite Huns. They were also called the White Huns, as they were a fair skinned, Caucasian or Semitic race. This tribe went into captivity as a whole unit, rather than in piecemeal clans, which explains why they were still called by their original Israelite tribal name as late as the 6^th century AD.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states that before their arrival in the region of the old Parthian Empire, the Ephthalites were originally a tribe of the great Yue-chi, living to the north of the Great Wall. Some historians place the migration of the Yue-chi tribes into Parthia during the 2^nd century BC. These Yue-chi were known collectively as the Sacae, a testimony that they were the sons of Isaac.

When Parthia fell the Ephthalites did not migrate out of the area, but fought many battles against the Sassanian Persians who had driven out the Parthians. They even ruled their own kingdom in the region of modern Afghanistan and West India. Their capital, Sakala, also preserved the name of Isaac. In the 6^th century AD they were defeated and disappeared from Asia. This indicates that they migrated to Europe over several centuries.

Genesis 49:21 gives us our only clue as to their location in the latter days: Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

A hind is a female deer, and the words let loose implies a condition of being active in the wild. Female deer are most active in the wild during the rutting season when they are in heat. This implies the Naphtalites, particularly the females, will be identified with sensuality in the latter days. Sweden has the reputation of being a sexually permissive, liberated society. Blond Swedish actresses have been prominent in the movies industry, but we need more than this to identify modern Naphtali.

The phrase giveth good words can literally mean, “give beautiful sayings or speeches.” Sweden issues the annual Nobel Prizes, which are “beautiful speeches” or “pleasing pronouncements” given to noteworthy achievers in a variety of fields. These awards are world famous and convey great prestige on the recipients. No other nation is known for this practice of making annual famous awards like this. With limited clues, Sweden appears to be Naphtali.

THE TRIBE OF ZEBULON - RECLAIMERS OF THE SEA
Zebulon was a younger brother of Reuben, and little information is provided about him in the Bible. They formerly lived in the area west of the Sea of Galilee. After their relocation to Asia, they were one of the many related Sacae tribes. The Bible gives us one very revealing clue about Zebulon and their identity in the modern world in Genesis 49:13: “Zebulon shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for a haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Sidon."

A haven is any sheltered, safe place; a refuge, and a port, or harbor. A European country that is on a seacoast and is sheltered from the sea is Holland. This is a nation that was “bought back from the sea” via its famous dikes. It also has a famous harbor: the Port of Rotterdam, one of the busiest ports in the world. It is also a gateway to all of Europe via a system of interconnected canals.

Deuteronomy 33:18-19 also supports this viewpoint: And of Zebulun he said: “ Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, And Issachar in your tents! They shall call the peoples to the mountain; There they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they shall suck of the abundance of the seas And of treasures hidden in the sand.”

The Hebrew word for “suck” is used in the Bible to describe infants sucking milk out of a breast. The Dutch literally “sucked out” or “drained the sea” with their system of dikes and windmills, and gained abundant land as a result. The treasures in the sand could be oil. One of the largest oil companies in the world is Royal Dutch Shell. It is one of the few oil companies in the world to use the name of the home country in its corporate name.

The part of the prophesy about bordering unto Sidon in Gen 49:13 could have to do with Holland’s sex industry. The word border in Hebrew literally means “thighs”. Holland is famous for its red light district and its various sex shops. This may be a bit of a reach, but it could apply. The ancient Sidonians were part of the fertility cult worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. Wicked Queen Jezebel is synonymous with brazen sexual activities. This could give meaning to that portion of the prophesy.

THE TRIBE OF ASHER - THE MINERS OF “PRECIOUS THINGS”
Asher was born to Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah. The tribe formerly inhabited a territory in ancient northern Israel that neighbored Zebulon’s territory. The brief prophesy in Gen 49:20 states: “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.”

The term Asher’s “bread shall be fat” indicates prosperity. “Royal dainties” is based on the Hebrew word royal meaning melek which means king. The word yield means “to give”, and the Hebrew word dainties also means delights. When we use these alternate meanings we get that Asher, “shall give kings’ delights,” or “yield kings’ delights.”

During the reigns of David and Solomon, the Israelites had a voracious appetite for metals and natural resources for the Temple of God and other building projects. The Phoenician alliance, led by Israel, exploited the mineral resources of the British Isles, mining tin and other commodities. Numbers 26:45 records that one of the clans of the Asherites was named “Heberites,” with the root consonants H-B-R. An early English name for Ireland was “Hibernia,” and there is a group of islands off the coast of Scotland named the “Hebrides.” Both names include the consonants H-B-R, the root word of the Asherite clan named after Heber. This indicates that Asherites were active in the mining activities in the British Isles. The Genesis clue is “yields royal delights.” In ancient days kings where given gold as a “royal delight.” Other precious metals and gemstones were given, but gold was the real delight.

To locate modern Asher we need to find a prosperous nation either in Europe or founded by Europeans which is known for mining gold and other precious metals and gemstones. South Africa meets these criteria. They are the predominate gold-mining nation in the world (although slipping lately), and also are dominant in producing platinum and diamonds. The name DeBeers is associated with South African diamond mining. Ancient kings decorated their crowns with gold and precious stones.

South Africa was settled by the British and Dutch--the Boers. Since ancient history indicates Asherites settled in the British Isles, it is understandable how they could have migrated to South Africa from Britain. What about the Boers?

In ancient Israel, the tribes of Zebulon and Asher lived side by side and may have migrated together into Asia and Europe.

In Genesis 28:13-14 it states: And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, “I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

The first direction was west--the time of the Israelite alliance with Trye and Sidon, founding colonies in Carthage, Spain, and the British Isles. The next direction was east--Assyria took captives east to what is now Iran and Iraq, others as far as India and east China. This led to the Parthian and Scythian Empires.

The third direction was north--when Parthia fell millions of refugees went north through the Caucasus Mountains, around the Black Sea and into Europe. Some Germanic tribes went as far as Scandinavia and Iceland. The final direction was south--when the British empire expanded, three major Israelite nations were founded south of the Equator--Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The nation of South Africa is due south of the land of ancient Israel. This Genesis 28 prophecy accurately foretold the nature and order of the major Israelite migrations in history!

THE TRIBE OF ISSACHAR - BETWEEN TWO BURDENS
Issachar was a son of Jacob and Leah, and the tribe lived near the Sea of Galilee. After their tribe migrated into Asia they became one of the many related Sacae tribes of the Scythians. In Numbers 26:23, one of Issachar’s clans was named after Tola, a son of Issachar. It is possible that the Scythian tribal name To-char-i is a composite of To-la and from Issa-char.

Evidence that the Issacharites passed through Russia on the way to Europe is found in the name Tula, which has been for many centuries a Russian city and region just south of Moscow. This name indicates that the Tola clan of Issachar took a more northerly route into Europe than most of the other Caucasian tribes. That Thule, Greenland was settled by Scandinavians indicates that the clan of Tola was involved with this settlement as well.

Genesis 49:14-15 gives this clue about Issachar’s location in the latter days: “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. We need to find a nation in Europe that has a tradition of being quasi-independent (under tribute), is located between two stronger nations or spheres of influence (the two burdens), and is dwelling in reasonable peace and prosperity (their rest was good…the land pleasant).

The nation of Finland has long been in the condition of living in a buffer zone between stronger, competing nations. After centuries of Swedish rule, the 1700’s and 1800’s saw Finland caught between Russia and Sweden, who fought for sovereignty over Finland. Its sovereignty has been compromised ever since. From 1899-1905, Russia dominated Finland and the Russian language was imposed upon them. The Finn’s were literally under tribute as the Russian Tsar fixed on them an annual “contribution.”

In World War One the Finn’s volunteered for service in both the German and Russian armies. In 1918 Finland concluded a treaty which made her Germany’s vassal. Finland was now under tribute to Germany. Russia launched and attack on Finland in World War Two. When Germany attacked Russia in 1941, Finland briefly aligned with Germany, later they signed an armistice with both Great Britain and Russia in 1944. At the end of the war Finland had to pay certain amounts of finished industrial goods to Russia--more tribute.

Finland has been a buffer state between stronger nations for most of its history and has literally been under tribute many times. Its current “tribute” is Finland’s neutralist foreign policy, for which it receives an accommodative relationship with its larger neighbors. Finland is the modern buffer zone between the western and eastern bloc’s in today’s world. The Helsinki Accords, a neutralist agreement between west and east, was signed in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. Finland has found peace and prosperity by “couching down between two burdens.”

It is also likely that at least some of the Baltic people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are part of the tribe of Issachar. These small Baltic nations have also “couched down between two burdens.”

THE TRIBE OF DAN - A SERPENT’S TRAIL THROUGHOUT HISTORY
Dan was a son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. Dan was given territory south of Ephraim and Joshua 19:46 indicates that the port of Joppa was in their territory. Later, they divided into two groups, and some Danites conquered land in the northern part of Canaan. Joshua 19:47 records that the Danites conquered the city of Leshem and renamed it Dan. They apparently acted on their own to conquer these additional areas, showing a tendency to act on their own.

Their trait of renaming geographical locations after their forefather Dan, is retained throughout history, leaving a trail of Danite names along their migratory paths.

Judges 5:17 states that the Danites were living in ships. They were practicing a seafaring life and were active in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The Encyclopedia Britannica says the Egyptians called them Danauna and that the Greeks called them Danaans. These seafaring Danites probably migrated and did business in what is known as modern Turkey. One of the narrow straits between the Aegean and Black Seas is stilled called the Dardanelles. The ancient area of Troy used to be called Dardania.

Irish legend/history states that the Tuatha De Danaan arrived in Ireland around 720 BC, at the time Assyria took Israel captive. Many Irish people today trace their history to this Danite tribe. This history/legend is a long story in itself.

Many Danites migrated into the Black Sea region, becoming one of the Scythian or Sacae tribes. After the Scythians arrived in that region they renamed rivers to: Danube, Dnestr, the Dnepr, and the Don. In Europe the name of the tribe of Dan followed the Danube River, resurfacing in places such as Danzig, Poland, and Danmark, the Danish name for Denmark, and whose people are known as Danes. Since the name of the tribe of Dan is still borne by the people of “Danmark” it is logical to conclude that many Danish people are descendants of the tribe of Dan.

Genesis 49:16-17 says: Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. A sidewinder snake in the desert reveals the track of the snake even after the snake is no longer there. This passage of scripture indicates that one can discern or judge where the tribes of Dan migrated by following the signs. The signs are Dan leaving their name everywhere they go, revealing their trail through history.

The second part of the prophecy could be related to the Irish “throwing off the rider” by “biting the heels” of the British when Ireland won its independence in the 20^th century through a terrorist uprising. This is also what the IRA, the Irish Republican Army did in Northern Ireland in an attempt to overthrow British rule. Dun, Dublin, and Donegall are some Irish names with Dan as the root. Evidence indicates that the Irish are one part of the modern Danites and the people of Denmark the other.

THE TRIBE OF GAD - RISING FROM DEFEAT TO PROMINENCE
Gad was a son of Jacob and Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah. Gad’s inheritance was east of the Jordan River in Gilead. This tribe was taken into captivity by the Assyrians years before the fall of Samaria, and were one of the many Sacae or Saka tribes of Asia who were eventually pushed westward into Europe. Genesis 49:19 briefly says: Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

To locate Gad we must find a European nation, which during the latter days was overcome by invading forces, but later emerges triumphantly from its defeat. This description fits well with Germany, which was overcome by a troop of nations in World Wars One and Two, yet emerged to become one of the world‘s foremost economic and industrial powers. Another prophecy about Gad appears in Deuteronomy 33:20: And of Gad he said, “Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.”

This indicates that Gad would have a large population, and exhibit a predatory nature like a lion. Germany is one of the largest nations in modern Europe, and many other nations such as Austria, and Switzerland speak German. This fulfills the enlarged part. The Germans have also fulfilled the predatory portion in both World Wars attacking and tearing at their neighbors.

One of the tribes in the ancient Parthian Empire was known as the Kermans or Germanii. These tribes later fled to Europe through the Caucasus Mountains in huge numbers. The name German came from these tribes. Not all modern Germans are Israelites from the tribe of Gad, just as all the other countries named as modern tribe nations are not fully Israelite tribes. We do see, however, the mixing of the ancient tribes with many nations.

A major region in Germany is named Saxony, which preserves the root word of Isaac’s name (Scythian-Sacae). The Saxons who migrated to the British Isles were, principally, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, but other Saxons remained on the European continent and gave their name to Saxony in Germany. Since a major region of Germany was named after Isaac, it indicates some Israelites are present within Germany.

Tomorrow Pt 12
SCOTTISH DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
PROPHETIC ISRAEL AND BRITISH CORONATION

Sources: Israel’s Tribes Today by Steven Collins www.bibleblessings.net Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Britannica