SIMEON

1. One of the twelve patriarches, the son of Jacob and Leah, Ge 29:33 Ex 6:15. Some have thought he was more guilty than his brethren in the treatment of Joseph, Ge 37:20 42:24 43:23; but he may have been detained as a hostage because he was one of the eldest sons. The tribes of Simeon and Levi were scattered and dispersed in Israel, in conformity with the prediction of Jacob, on account of their sacrilegious and piratical revenge of the outrage committed against Dinah their sister, Ge 34:1-31 49:5. Levi had no compact lot or portion in the Holy Land; and Simeon received for his portion only a district dismembered from Judah, with some other lands the tribe overran in the mountains of Seir, and in the desert of Gedor, 1Ch 4:24,39,42. The portion of Simeon was west and south or that of Judah, having the Philistines on the northwest and the desert on the south, Jos 19:1-9. The tribe was reduced in numbers while in the wilderness, from 59,300 to 24,000, Nu 1:23 26:14; very probably on account of sharing in the licentious idolatry of Moab, with Zimri their prince, Nu 25:1-18, or for other sins. They are little known in subsequent history. We find them faithful to David, 1Ch 12:25, and afterwards to Asa, 2Ch 15:9, and in general absorbed by Judah. Moses omits this tribe in his dying benedictions, De 33:1-29; but its place in Israel is restored by a covenant-keeping God, Eze 48:24 Re 7:7. 2. A venerable saint at Jerusalem, full of the Holy Spirit, who was expecting the redemption of Israel, Lu 2:25-35. It had been revealed to him that he should not die before he had seen the Christ so long promised; and he therefore came into the temple, promoted by inspiration, just at the time when Joseph and Mary presented our Savior there, in obedience to the law. Simeon took the child in his arms, gave thanks to God, and blessed Joseph and Mary. We know nothing further concerning him. 3. Surnamed NIGER, or the Black, Ac 13:1, was among the prophets and teachers of the Christian church at Antioch. Some think he was Simon the Cyrenian; but there is no proof of this. 4. The apostle Peter is also called Simeon in Ac 15:14, but elsewhere Simon.

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Simeon. Simeon
Hearing. (1.) The second son of Jacob by Leah (Gen. 29:33). He was associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (34:25, 26). He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage (42:24). His father, when dying, pronounced a malediction against him (49:5-7). The words in the Authorized Version (49:6), “they digged down a wall,” ought to be, as correctly rendered in the Revised Version, “they houghed an ox.”

(2.) An aged saint who visited the temple when Jesus was being presented before the Lord, and uttered lofty words of thankgiving and of prophecy (Luke 2:29-35).

(3.) One of the ancestors of Joseph (Luke 3:30).

(4.) Surnamed Niger, i.e., “black,” perhaps from his dark complexion, a teacher of some distinction in the church of Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). It has been supposed that this was the Simon of Cyrene who bore Christ’s cross. Note the number of nationalities represented in the church at Antioch.

(5.) James (Acts 15:14) thus designates the apostle Peter (q.v.).

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Simeon. that hears or obeys; that is heard

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SIMEON. 1. Son of Jacob Ge 29:33; 35:23; Ex 1:1,2; 1Ch 2:1
* With Levi avenges upon the Shechemites the seduction of Dinah Ge 34; 49:5-7
* Jacob' s denunciation of Ge 34:30; 49:5-7
* Goes down into Egypt to buy corn (graini); is imprisoned by Joseph, and is detained Ge 42:24,36; 43:23
* His sons Ge 46:10; Ex 6:15; 1Ch 4:24-37
* Descendants of Nu 26:12-14
* See TRIBE OF, below

2. TRIBE OF
* Military enrollment of, at Sinai Nu 1:22,23; 2:13
* On the plains of Moab Nu 26:14
* Place of, in camping and marching Nu 2:12; 10:18,19
* Inheritance allotted to Jos 19:1-9; Jud 1:3-17; 1Ch 4:24-43
* Stood on Mount Gerizim to bless at the time of the recounting of the law of Moses De 27:12
* Joined with the people of Judah and Benjamin in the renewal of the Passover 2Ch 15:9; with 15:1-15
* Idolatry of 2Ch 34:6; with 34:1-7
* See ISRAEL

3. A devout man in Jerusalem
* Blesses Jesus (when an infant) in the temple Lu 2:25-35

4. An ancestor of Jesus Lu 3:30 5. A disciple
* Also called NIGER Ac 13:1

6. Name given to Peter Ac 15:14
* See PETER

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(1) The Son of Jacob Ge 29:33; 34:25; 42:24; 46:10; 49:5; Ex 6:15; Nu 26:12 (2) Tribe of Nu 1:22; 25:14; 26:14; Jos 19:1; Jud 1:3 (3) A devout Man who Blessed Christ Lu 2:25 (4) Niger Ac 13:1