What are the ten lost tribes of Israel? Are the tribes really lost?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The "ten lost tribes of Israel" refers to the ten tribes from the northern kingdom of Israel that were taken into captivity by the Assyrians around 722 BC. These tribes are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). After their captivity, many of these tribes were assimilated into other cultures, leading to their perceived loss or disappearance from historical records. However, the "lost" tribes are later mentioned in the New Testament, demonstrating that they were never actually lost. The ten “lost” tribes of Israel reveal God's meticulous care and plan for His people across history. It reminds us that God's providence extends to each individual, ensuring that none are truly lost but have a significant place in His redemptive purposes. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision in our own lives, knowing that He orchestrates events for our ultimate good and His glory.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Ten of Israel's tribes—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Joseph, which made up the northern kingdom—were taken captive by Assyria in about 722 BC. Second Kings 17:6 tells us that most of the people were taken to Assyria. Many of those who remained in the land married foreign people sent there by the Assyrian king (those from Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, according to 2 Kings 17:24 and Ezra 4:2–11).
• These ten tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh were part of Joseph's divided tribe) are considered by some to be “lost” because they melted into the Assyrian culture or were assimilated into other people groups, but closing the door on these tribes is conjecture rather than biblical history.
• Many Jews later re-united with the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 34:6–9). Babylon later took over Assyria, invaded the southern kingdom, and carried off the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (2 Kings 25:21), along with the remnants of the northern tribes.
• When King Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return to their homeland (Ezra 1), some of all twelve of the tribes also returned.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Some of these “lost” tribes' people are identified in the New Testament several centuries after the tribes were supposedly lost. This proves to us that the twelve tribes are accounted for in some way by God. They are not lost and have a future in His plans.
• Anna was from the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36).
• Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their son John the Baptist were of the tribe of Levi (Luke 1:5).
• Jesus tells His disciples they will judge the twelve tribes (Luke 22:30).
• Paul knows he is from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1). Paul also defends himself by calling to mind the future of the tribes in Acts 26:6–7: "And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day."
• James writes to the twelve tribes (James 1:1).
• God knows where these so-called lost tribes are located. Revelation 7:4–8 says He will call witnesses from each of them in the end times.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The narrative of Israel's tribes, often deemed "lost" due to their dispersion and assimilation into other cultures, challenges the notion of their disappearance and reminds us of God’s character and redemptive plan. Despite historical challenges, individuals from these tribes are identified in the New Testament, revealing God's meticulous preservation and recognition of His people over time. This reassures us that what may seem lost or scattered in our lives is never beyond God's awareness or care. It prompts us to trust in His sovereign plan and providence, knowing that He orchestrates events to fulfill His promises. Just as God ensured the continuity and recognition of the twelve tribes, so too does He ensure that each of us, in our diversity and uniqueness, has a vital place in His unfolding story of redemption and restoration.

UNDERSTAND

• Ten of Israel's tribes were taken captive by Assyria around 722 BC, with many deported and others intermarrying with foreigners sent by Assyria.
• Considered "lost," these tribes assimilated into other cultures.
• Some individuals from the ten lost tribes are identified in the New Testament, showing God's preservation of their lineage and future role in His plans.

REFLECT

• How does the concept of the "lost" tribes of Israel challenge or confirm your understanding of God's sovereignty and providence in your own life?
• Consider the assimilation of the tribes into other cultures. What is the importance of our cultural identity and reflecting God in that context?
• How can the recognition of individuals from the "lost" tribes in the New Testament inspire hope and trust in God's faithfulness amid challenging or uncertain circumstances?

ENGAGE

• Throughout the centuries, many stories, legends, and fantastical accounts have arisen to explain the whereabouts of the “lost” tribes. Some say they migrated to Europe—for example, saying the Danube River got its name from the tribe of Dan. British Israelism teaches that the tribes settled in England and that Anglo-Saxons are actually Jews. Groups of people in India, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and North America claim lineage to the lost tribes. Even some Japanese and Native Americans are sometimes identified as the lost Jewish tribes.
• How might the identification of individuals from the "lost" tribes in the New Testament challenge common assumptions about biblical lineage and heritage?
• How does the recognition of individuals from the "lost" tribes in the New Testament influence our understanding of God's ongoing plan for redemption?