Who was Simeon in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about Simeon?

Simeon was the second son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and Leah, born after Reuben (Gen.29.33). He was one of the twelve sons of Jacob who became the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Simeon, along with his brother Levi, took violent revenge against the Shechemites for the rape of their sister Dinah (Gen.34.25-30). This action was condemned by their father, Jacob (Gen.49.5-7). When Joseph's brothers went to Egypt during the famine, Joseph took Simeon as a hostage until they brought their youngest brother, Benjamin (Gen.42.24,36; 43.23). Simeon was later released and returned to Canaan with his brothers (Gen.46.10). The tribe of Simeon, descended from Simeon, was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. During the wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Simeon was led by Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai (Num.1.6; 2.12; 7.36; 10.19). The tribe's territory was located within the boundaries of Judah in the Negev (Jos.19.1,9; Jdg.1.3,17). In later history, some from the tribe of Simeon migrated to Edom during the reign of Hezekiah (1Ch.4.42-43). The tribe is mentioned in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezk.48.24,25,33) and in the list of the sealed from the twelve tribes in Revelation (Rev.7.7).

Where does Simeon appear in the Bible?

Simeon is referenced in 9 verses. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• Genesis 29:33
• Genesis 34:25
• Genesis 34:30
• Genesis 35:23
• Genesis 42:24
• Genesis 42:36
• Genesis 43:23
• Genesis 46:10
• Genesis 49:5

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Simeon.