The Tribe of Simeon, Naphtali, Benjamin and the Igbo

The Tribe of Simeon, Naphtali, Benjamin and the Igbo

Rabbi Yehudah (Tochukwu) ben Shomeyr

Simeon

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. – Gen. 49:5-7

Due to the combined efforts of Levi and Simeon to avenge the dishonor of their sister Dinah, Jacob (Israel) links their people together and said that they would be scattered among the Tribes of Israel.

Because of the Igbo priests (Nri and Arochukwu) who operate in the same function as the Levitical priests, we are assured Levi can be found among the Igbo. Thus it stands to reason that since Simeon like Levi was destine to be scattered among Israel and Simeon had a reputation of being warriors or mercenaries for hire, the possibility exists that Simeon can be found among the Igbo, especially seeing as there were many waves of Israelites made their way to Nigeria prior to the Exodus, after the Exodus, after Babylon and during the Assyrian captivity and before and after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Some of Simeon who were not scattered along with Levi and other various Israeli tribes actually became the Spartans who the Levitical Maccabean warriors called BROTHERS, and they did not just throw that intimate family term around lightly and they never called Gentiles, Non-Hebraic nations their “Brothers.”

And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians (Spartans):  Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:  There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.  At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship. Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,  Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.  We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:  And we are right glad of your honour.  As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.  Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:  For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.  For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.  We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.  Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.  And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.  Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:  It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:  Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.  We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise. – I Mac. 12:5-23

Naphtali

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. – Gen. 49:21

And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south. – Deut. 33:23

Shavei.org is one of many who claim the Igbo also have affiliation with the Tribe of Naphtali, along with Gad, Dan and Asher.

Naphtali is prophesied to produce the most beautiful women in all of Israel and the Igbo claim their women are the most beautiful in all of Africa and I dare say they may be right. So many Igbo women enter and win beauty pagents and find success as actresses and models in Nollywood and Hollywood.

Naphtali was born of Zilpah the handmaid and children of the handmaids Zilpah and Bilhah tend to gravitate to one another because they were not physically born of Rachel or Leah. The handmaids were said by some to be Egyptian women and or half-sisters of Rachel and Leah and were very dark women. So it stands to reasn that Naphtali may have traveled with Eri’s entourage and made their way to Nigeria to be with their relatives who more closely resembled them ethnically during one of the many waves of Israelites who came to Africa.

Naphtali, if you read Collins and Davidiy’s books explain that a portion of Naphtali became the White Huns.

“…Ephthalite,” or “Nephthalies” Huns. They were also called “White Huns,” as they were a fair-skinned, Caucasian or Semitic race. The striking similarity between the Israelite “Naphtalites” and the Asian “Ephthalites” is obvious.” – Pg. 209 “Israel’s Tribes Today” Steven M. Collins

Another part of Naphtali became the Norwegians and Swedes.

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. – Gen. 49:21

“Wind let loose” speaks of a female deer in heat and the Scandinavian societies are known for its loose and “liberated” attitude toward sex and sexuality. Also, many Scandinavian women have become models and actresses and their Nordic blonde hair, blue eyes and long legs have become the Hollywood standard for sex appeal.

“Goodly words” may hint of Beautiful speeches which are declared from Sweden during the annual Nobel Prizes.

Benjamin

Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. – Gen. 49:27

And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. –Deut. 33:12

Benjamin, the baby of all the Tribes held tight to two tribes; full brother Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) and big half-brother Judah. The Southern Kingdom of Judah consisted of Judah, Levi and a smattering of Benjamin and their tribal territory in the allotment within the Promised Land under Joshua was smack dab between Judah, Dan, Ephraim, Manasseh as well as Gad and Reuben. So when Assyria took away the 10 tribes into captivity, part of Benjamin went with them while others were able to escape and take refuge into the Southern Kingdom of Judah, that is until the Babylonians came and took away Judah and Levi into captivity and the Benjamites who escaped the Assyrians were nabbed by the Babylonians.

Seeing as Judah likely resides among the Igbo as well as Manasseh and seeing as Benjamin had a close relationship with these tribes it is conceivable to find Benjamin among the Igbo.

In Scripture Benjamin was known as a small yet fiercely tenacious Tribe (Judges 19-21) of warriors. Their Tribal symbol is the Wolf who hunts in small packs. Based on the clues of the Jacobic and Mosaic prophetic blessings concerning Benjamin and the uncanny similarities in people and culture, some believe  many of Benjamin who were not scattered among other Israeli Tribes, ended up in Norway and became part of the Vikings.