The Twelve Sons of Jacob (in order by birth)

Mother Name Meaning Reason Genesis

Leah Reuben “look, a son” The LORD looked on Leah’s affliction. 29:32
Leah Simeon “hearing” The LORD heard about Leah’s unloved condition. 29:33
Leah Levi “joined” Leah hoped this time her husband would be joined to her. 29:34
Leah Judah “he will be praised” “This time I will praise the LORD.” 29:35
Bilhah Dan “he vindicated” God vindicated Rachel by giving her a son. 30:6
Bilhah Naphtali “my struggle” Rachel had struggled mightily with Leah. 30:8
Zilpah Gad “good fortune” Leah’s feeling that good fortune had come her way. 30:11
Zilpah Asher “happy one” “How happy I am, for women will call me happy!” 30:13
Leah Issachar “man of reward” Leah’s reward for giving Zilpah as a wife to Jacob. 30:18
Leah Zebulun “honor” Leah hoped Jacob would honor her because she had given 30:20
him six sons.
Rachel Joseph “may he add” Rachel hoped God would give her an additional son. 30:24
Rachel Benjamin “son of the right hand” A replacement name for Ben-Oni (“son of my suffering”). 35:18

Not all name meanings are exact. For example, the precise meaning of “Levi” is debated, but it sounds like the
Hebrew verb ‫( לוה‬lavah), “to join.”

The Twelve Sons of Jacob (in order by birth)

Mother Name Meaning Reason Genesis
Leah Reuben “look, a son” The LORD looked on Leah’s affliction. 29:32
Leah Simeon “hearing” The LORD heard about Leah’s unloved condition. 29:33
Leah Levi “joined” Leah hoped this time her husband would be joined to her. 29:34
Leah Judah “he will be praised” “This time I will praise the LORD.” 29:35
Bilhah Dan “he vindicated” God vindicated Rachel by giving her a son. 30:6
Bilhah Naphtali “my struggle” Rachel had struggled mightily with Leah. 30:8
Zilpah Gad “good fortune” Leah’s feeling that good fortune had come her way. 30:11
Zilpah Asher “happy one” “How happy I am, for women will call me happy!” 30:13
Leah Issachar “man of reward” Leah’s reward for giving Zilpah as a wife to Jacob. 30:18
Leah Zebulun “honor” Leah hoped Jacob would honor her because she had given 30:20
him six sons.
Rachel Joseph “may he add” Rachel hoped God would give her an additional son. 30:24
Rachel Benjamin “son of the right hand” A replacement name for Ben-Oni (“son of my suffering”). 35:18

Not all name meanings are exact. For example, the precise meaning of “Levi” is debated, but it sounds like the
Hebrew verb ‫( לוה‬lavah), “to join.”