2. The tribe of Israel stemming from the families of Simeon’s six sons: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul. (Ge 46:10; Ex 6:15) During Israel’s wilderness journey, Simeon encamped with Reuben and Gad on the S of the tabernacle, the three-tribe division being headed by Reuben. On the march, this same tribal arrangement was maintained, with Shelumiel serving as Simeon’s chieftain, both of the camp and of the army.​—Nu 1:4, 6; 2:10-15; 10:18-20.

Reduction in Tribal Population. At the time of the first census, taken a year after the Exodus from Egypt, the tribe of Simeon numbered 59,300 able-bodied men 20 years old and upward who were fit for military service. (Nu 1:1-3, 22, 23) However, about 39 years later, the second census revealed that the tribe had suffered great losses, there being only 22,200 in the same category. This amounted to a decrease of more than 62 percent, far greater than that experienced by any other tribe.​—Nu 26:1, 2, 12-14.

Moses did not mention Simeon by name in his farewell blessing of Israel. This is not to say the tribe was not blessed, for it was included at the end in the general blessing. (De 33:6-24, 29) Simeon was named first among the tribes assigned to stand on Mount Gerizim in connection with the blessings to be pronounced.​—De 27:11, 12.

Simeon’s reduced size was no doubt considered when it came to assigning individual territories in the Promised Land; the tribe was not given a self-contained, unbroken portion but, rather, cities entirely enclosed within Judah’s territory. In this way Jacob’s deathbed prophecy uttered more than 200 years earlier was fulfilled. (Nu 34:16-20; Jos 19:1-9; compare Ge 49:5-7.) Simeon shared with Judah in wresting this territory out of the hands of the Canaanites. (Jg 1:1-3, 17) Enclave cities were also set aside in Simeon’s inheritance for the tribe of Levi.​—Jos 21:4, 9, 10; 1Ch 6:64, 65.

Mention in Later Bible History. The Simeonites were mentioned from time to time in the later history of Israel​—in the time of David (1Ch 4:24-31; 12:23, 25; 27:16), in the days of Asa (2Ch 15:8, 9), and in Josiah’s time (2Ch 34:1-3, 6, 7). This latter reference to Josiah’s reforms shows that, though geographically in Judah’s territory, Simeon had politically and religiously cast in its lot with the northern kingdom. It appears that in the days of Hezekiah 500 Simeonites struck down a remnant of the Amalekites and took up dwelling in their place.​—1Ch 4:41-43.

(Simʹe·on·ites) [Of (Belonging to) Simeon].

The descendants of Jacob’s second son Simeon. After about 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the male population among the Simeonites who were 20 years old and upward and who were qualified for military service numbered only 22,200, constituting the smallest of the 12 tribes. They were divided into five principal families​—the Nemuelites, Jaminites, Jachinites, Zerahites, and Shaulites. (Nu 25:14; 26:1, 2, 12-14; Jos 21:4; 1Ch 27:16) If there were any descendants of a sixth son, Ohad, when this second census was taken, they were probably too few in number to be listed as a separate family of their own.​—Ge 46:10; Ex 6:15.