The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel
Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009
by Russell Shortt
Exploring Ireland
The Lost Tribes of Israel have being a concept that has held the fascination of people throughout Western civilisation for centuries. Groups of people, all across the globe are constantly cropping up, claiming to be the descendants of one of the lost tribes. It is illuminating about the course of history, just how quickly knowledge is lost, how vague and confusing facts can become, facts that were once known to the dogs in the street. Of course we know the beginning of the tale, Jacob had twelve sons, each of whom formed a tribe in Israel. They were: Reuben, Shimon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin. Together they made up the twelve Tribes of Israel, they settled on both sides of the Jordan River, in the Land of Canaan, each settling in a different region. Later, the tribes united to form a common monarchy, which lasted until the death of King Solomon when the state was divided in two. The tribes split, with Judah and Benjamin in the south remaining loyal to the Davidic house while the rest of the tribes in the north were ruled by a succession of monarchies.
So where did the ten tribes go? I mean they had to go somewhere. Many scholars believed that they simply assimilated into the cultures that they were exiled into, that they could no longer hold onto their traditions and beliefs. Others believe that they maintained them, waiting for their return to their homeland. To a degree that took place almost two hundred years later, when the Persians who now controlled their lands, allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem in 537BCE. However, some historians state that the tribes had abandoned their tribal identities, instead they had all assimilated a common heritage and therefore the lost tribes remained lost but for many the mystery was solved. Many though do not buy into this idea, they believe that many did not return to worship in the Second Temple but rather maintained their beliefs in the corners of the world that they found themselves in.
Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net
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