5. The Twelve Tribes of Israel figure prominently in the Old Testament. According to Scripture, the twelve tribes evolved from Jacob's twelve sons. Out of his twelve sons, which one was the oldest and which one the youngest?
From Quiz Twelve -- A Common Number in the Bible
Answer:
Reuben was the oldest, Benjamin the youngest
Reuben was Jacob's first born son and Benjamin was his youngest. Scripture states he was the father of twelve sons -- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin. Scripture also states Jacob had one daughter, Dinah.
Jacob fathered the thirteen children with his two wives and two concubines. According to Scripture, Leah, his first wife, was the mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah. Rachel, his second wife, was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Scripture states that Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.
Zilpah, Leah's handmaiden and a concubine of Jacob, was the mother of Gad and Asher. Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden and a concubine of Jacob, was the mother of Dan and Naphtali.
Meanwhile, Genesis 48:5 tells of Jacob elevating the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of full tribes in their own right, replacing the tribe of Joseph. Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph and Asenath.