




































124 

 

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL IN THE LAND OF 

CANAAN: LESSON FOR THE NIGERIA NATION 

 

EKENEDILICHUKWU A. OKOLO, PhD 

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION AND HUMAN RELATIONS 

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE 

ea.okolo@unizik.edu.ng 

& 

 

OZIEZI CHRISTIAN, PhD 

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STUDIES  

UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE 

Christus4lord@yahoo.com 

 

ABSTRACT 

During the pre-colonial era, communalism was the functional system of government that was 

embraced, cherished and considered mostly to be the best system since it afforded man the 

opportunity to accommodate others. This situation created happiness, satisfaction and mutual 

co-existence among people between regional and ethnic lines, groups and cultures. People lived 

in harmony and in an atmosphere devoid of acrimony, bitterness, division and religious 

sentiment. In recent times, the system of government has undergone series of overhauling 

which eventually displaced the system of communalism, replacing it with capitalism as the 

functional and ideal system of government. Capitalism therefore introduced the idea and 

concept of individualism where the perception and notion of collectivism changed from “We 

to I”, “all of us to all of me” and from the attainment of a general goal and purpose to the 

pursuit of a personal goal and sectional purpose. The aforementioned as an established fact has 

been a barrier and hindrance to the issue of resource control and restructuring of the nation. 

Against this backdrop, it will be worthwhile to posit that the twelve tribes of Israel were 

offspring of the same biological father with different mothers. Despite their divergent interest, 

goals and biological makeup, they accommodated each other in the land of Canaan. The bond 

of brotherhood and collegiality caused them to pursue a collective goal for the purpose of 

unification amidst personal interest. This study adopts the phenomenological method of 

research and will be framed with social constructivism theory. It therefore observes that there 

has been division and disunity, which is the rationale for the clamour for resource control and 

restructuring. Secondly, it observes that there has been division along ethnic lines which has 

been persistent hence nullifying every avenue for peaceful co-existence. Finally, the paper 

observes that if the lessons gained from the settlement of the twelve tribes of Israel are adopted 

and applied, the clamour for resource control and restructuring will be settled. The study 

recommends that personal interest and ambition should be set aside for the collective interest 

of all which will further create an environment for peace, unity and progress thereby giving 

room for restructuring and resource control.  

Keywords: Settlement, Twelve tribes, Israel, Land, Canaan, Lesson, Nigeria, Nation.  

 

 

mailto:ea.okolo@unizik.edu.ng
mailto:Christus4lord@yahoo.com


                                                                      Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 5 Issue 2, August 2025. 

                          ISSN: 2786-9792                                     

 

125 
 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Over the years, the Nigeria nation has been grappling with series of societal challenges 

emanating from agitations and contentions over inequality and disparity of resources. These 

agitations and contentions are premised on the foundation of marginalization by the 

government as felt by some part of the country. It is imperative to mention that in the past, the 

system of government differ in practice and administrative structure. Nigeria political 

landscape was based on Communalism which was obviously considered to be the best system 

of government. Communalism was a system of government that created the platform for the 

society and indeed for men to collectively see themselves as one single indivisible entity. 

Resources were evenly shared and distributed without grudges and prejudice. Across the entire 

geo-political zone in the country, the focus and interest of the government was for the 

satisfaction of her citizens. Communalism paved way for unification of the country through 

harmonious and peaceful co-existence. The concept of individualism arising from ethnicity, 

religion and culture was latent. People lived in harmony, peace and unity. This produced an 

atmosphere devoid of acrimony, bitterness, division and religious sentiment. Goals and 

objectives where pursued for the collective and general interest of the society without any 

thought of marginalization and subjugation. However, the regular shakeup in the political 

process of the country inadvertently changed and overturned the system of communalism, 

replacing it with the capitalist system of government. The emergence of capitalism in the 

nation’s political structure and system introduced the concept of individualism, which totally 

and completely changed the perception of men and of the general society. There was a 

paradigm shift from “we to i”, all of us to all of me. The concept of I, mine, myself and me was 

endemic. The society and indeed men deviated from the pursuit and attainment of a general 

goal and purpose to the attainment and pursuit of individualist and sectional goal. Men were 

no longer concerned about the welfare of other. The interest and goal of government to satisfy 

man and the society became obsolete. Government no longer cared about the welfare of the 

society. This was evident in the distribution of nation’s revenue and resources. The society 

began to perceive and conceive the notion of marginalization, subjugation and division. This 

development gave birth to the pockets of agitations, contentions and grievances. The cohesion 

that once existed was disrupted and acrimony, bitterness, division and religious sentiment 

ensued. This situation is the rationale behind the campaign and demand for resource control 

and restructuring that is ongoing in the nation’s political structure. It is in view of the above 

noted fact that the thrust of this work will be to examine and apply the settlement of the twelve 

tribes of Israel in the land of Canaan to the situation of the Nigeria nation.  

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 

This work adopts the theory of social constructivism. The theory as espoused by Berger and 

Luckman (1966) is a sociological theory of knowledge according to which human development 

is socially situated and knowledge is constructed through interaction with others. Social 

constructivism posits that people work together to construct artifacts. The theory focuses on an 

individual’s learning that takes place because of his or her interaction in a group. Social 

constructionism holds that reality is constructed through the use of language in interaction with 

others and it is primarily influenced by history, society and culture. Constructivist holds that 

reality is constructed more through one’s biological forces through developmental processes, 

cognitive structures, and the human mind. Social constructivism combines both social 

constructionism and constructivism by placing the emphasis of reality construction on both 

societal and biological factors. There is a joint focus on reality construction being influenced 



             Ekenedilichukwu& Oziezi                                     The settlement of the twelve tribes of israel in.. 

 

126 
 

by both nature and nurture. Social constructivist theories provide the foundation for 

understanding how realities and views of the world are individual-specific and created through 

a combination of interaction with society, the societal structures of history, culture, and norms 

and the meanings that individual attribute to such interactions.   

CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION  

It’s imperative to elucidate in proper terms the key words that constitute the topic of this work 

in order to fully comprehend the objective and aims of this paper. In line with the 

aforementioned, it is expedient to give a detailed analogy of the twelve tribes of Israel.  

The historical establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel  

Historically, the identification of the twelve tribes of Israel has no exact dating as to when they 

began to be known and addressed as The Twelve Tribes of Israel. According to biblical 

narratives, the twelve tribes of Israel were descended from the twelve sons of Jacob, who came 

to be known by the name of Israel. Gill (2019) purports that the twelve tribes represent the 

traditional divisions of the Jewish people in the biblical era. According to Sawe (2017), Joseph 

one of the descendants of Jacob lived in Egypt and worked in Pharaoh's government as a 

governor over all Egypt. Joseph obtained favour from Pharaoh due to his dedication, loyalty 

and commitment in service particularly for exceptional display of wisdom in preparing Egypt 

ahead of the years of famine and scarcity. This efficient and effective leadership disposition 

earned Joseph’s relatives a territory in the land of Egypt where they settled. Circumstantially, 

Joseph’s relatives in search of food which is a basic and essential need were forced to travel to 

Egypt which eventually led them to settle there. Joseph’s relatives multiplied into a great nation 

in the land of Egypt. In the process of time, a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph became 

nervous, unbearable and unaccommodating with the Israelites. This Pharaoh subjected the 

Israelites into slavery as he feared they would overpower the Egyptians because of their growth 

rate. During their slavery and captivity in Egypt, God heard their cries and called Moses to 

rescue the Israelites from their plight and predicament. The escape and deliverance of the 

Israelites from Egypt was quite tasking. Through God’s guidance and directive, the Israelites 

crossed the Red Sea and proceeded into the wilderness where they wandered for forty years 

due to disobedience and unbelief. During these forty years, God still provided manna for them 

which rained from heaven. At the expiration of forty years, they were led into the Promised 

Land by Joshua. The bible lists twelve sons of the patriarch Israel who became sons of Israel 

as Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Levi, Issachar, Zebulon, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Gad, and 

Joseph. Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh would be given land constituting their own 

respective tribes, while the priestly tribe of Levi would not have a de facto tribal area of their 

own. These twelve multiplied to form the Israelite nation who has a religious and historical 

significance. The Israelites are a unique people in that they have a heavenly selection of God’s 

people. 

Religiously, the twelve tribes of Israel were of the Judeo-religious tradition. Considerably, the 

religious persuasion of the twelve tribes of Israel was Judaism. During their escape from Egypt 

and subsequent journey in the wilderness, they stopped at intervals and camped at various 

locations by God’s directive and instruction. At Mount Sinai, God gave them laws and 

regulations which is the Torah, the Ten Commandments which affirm their covenant with God 

and is still observed by Jews and Christians today. Okereafor in weneka (2005) purports that 

the Old Testament is the official canon of Jews as inspired by Yahweh. The twelve tribes of 

Israel were guided by the authority of the Torah and in their religious antecedents maintained 

some sacral space by the authorization of Yahweh. According to Jewish virtual library, Shiloh 



                                                                      Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 5 Issue 2, August 2025. 

                          ISSN: 2786-9792                                     

 

127 
 

served as a sacred space for all the tribes, housing the ark of the covenant. The confederation 

of the twelve tribes was primarily religious, based upon belief in the one “God of Israel” with 

whom the tribes had made a covenant and whom they worshipped at a common sacral center 

as the “people of the Lord,”. The tent of meeting and the ark of the covenant were the most 

sacred objects of the tribal union and biblical tradition shows that many places served as 

religious centers in various periods. During the wanderings in the wilderness, “the mountain of 

God,” which is Sinai or Horeb, served as such a place, as did the great oasis at Kadash-Barnea 

where the tribes remained for some time and from where the tribes attempted a conquest of the 

land. Many sites in Canaan are mentioned as having sacral association or considered as centers 

of pilgrimage. Some of these, such as Penuel, where Jacob received the name Israel, another 

center is Beth-El where the Ark rested, and Beer-Sheba dates back to patriarchal times. Jacob 

built a well at Shechem and the tribes converge there “before the Lord” and made a covenant 

with him in Joshua’s time. Specifically, Shiloh enjoyed special importance as a central sacral 

site for the tribes. The assembled at Shiloh under Joshua to divide up the land by lot, and it was 

there that they placed the tent of meeting and the ark of the covenant. Eli’s family, whose 

ancestral linage was traced to Aaron, the high priest also served at Shiloh and it was at Shiloh 

that the Israelites assembled for festivals and sacrifices. The twelve tribes have a religious and 

historical significance. Based on biblical historical narratives, the twelve tribes of Israel are a 

unique people in that they have a heavenly selection of God’s people arising from their 

relationship and covenant with God.  

The journey of the twelve tribes into the land of Canaan 

According to biblical narrative, the journey of the Israelites to the land of Canaan was made in 

intervals taking a sequential order. At their deliverance from slavery and bondage, they 

departed from Egypt heading towards the sea of reeds. After the miraculous crossing of the sea 

of reeds, they journey began unto Mount Sinai or Mount Horeb exactly fourteen months after 

they left Egypt. The Israel turned north along the western side of Gulf of Aqaba and traveled 

from Mount Sinai to the desert of Paran. Setting out from the dersert of Paran, they moved on 

and arrived Hazeroth. From Hazeroth they journey to Kadesh Barnea where Moses selected 

one man each from each of the tribes to go and explore the land of Canaan,  

The process of land allotment and distribution 

The Israelites entered the Promised Land and conquered the previous inhabitants of Canaan. 

The land was allocated to the people according to their tribes. The land situated east of Jordan, 

in Gilead and Bashan which was previously captured and seized from King Sihon and King 

Og was allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half was allocated to the tribe of 

Manasseh as agreed by Moses, Numbers 21:23-35, 32:1-19. The formula and sharing ratio for 

the remaining nine and half tribes was determined by casting of lots. Joshua 14:2 & 18:1-10. 

The descendants of Joseph were divided into two tribes and named after his eldest sons 

Manasseh and Ephraim. Ephraim received the lightly wooded territory in the central hill 

country near Shiloh which was later renamed the forest of Ephraim while Manasseh occupied 

the hilly land to the north in the area around Mount Gerizim, Mount Ebal and the Vale of 

Shechem, Joshua 16:1-17.  

Additionally, the town of Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim was assigned to Joshua 

as personal reward. Joshua 19:49-50.Towards the northern part of Canaan, the land situated 

around the Vale of Jezreel was allocated to the tribes of Issachar, Joshua 19:17-23, while the 

tribes of Asher, Zebulon and Naphtali combined together were assigned the territory stretching 

from the costal foothills near Tyre extending into theinland of basin occupied by Lake 



             Ekenedilichukwu& Oziezi                                     The settlement of the twelve tribes of israel in.. 

 

128 
 

Kinnereth which is the sea of Galilee, Joshua 19:10-16 & 24-39. The tribe of Simeon were 

apportioned the semi-arid foothills of the Negev Desert between Beersheba and Barnea Kadesh 

at the southern boundary of Canaan, Joshua 19:1-9. The hill country between Beersheba, 

Bethlehem and Jerusalem were allocated to the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:1-63. Additionally, 

the city of Hebron was allocated to Caleb in recognition of his faithfulness to God and his 

disposition towards positivism and optimism after spying the land of Canaan forty years (40) 

earlier, Joshua 14:6-15. 

The most controversial allocation amongst the twelve tribes of Israel was that of the tribes of 

Benjamin and Dan. The tribes of Benjamin and Dan where assigned the lands circumscribed 

on the south by the Jebusite fortress of Jebus (Jerusalem) which remained a Canaanite 

stronghold for four hundred years (400) until it was conquered by King David in 1004 BC, 

Joshua 18:11-28 & 15:63. The land on the coastal plain of Philistia was allocated to the tribe 

of Dan; unfortunately they were unable to conquer the lowland territory which was occupied 

by the Philistines. However, many years later, they conquered the land in the far north around 

the city of Leshem (Laish) which was renamed Dan after it was captured, Joshua 19:40-48 & 

Judges 18:1-31. The tribe of Levi who served the other tribes by their priestly functions was 

not assigned specific territory, instead they were allocated forty-eight cities and the surrounding 

grazing lands within the other tribal areas, Joshua 14:3-4 & 21:1-45.  

Evidently, casting of lot and ratio formula was the methodology used in the allocation of land 

amongst the twelve tribes of Israel. The process was a directive from God through Joshua. It is 

interesting to note that the process of land allotment was satisfactory to the tribes of Israel.     

LESSONS FOR NIGERIA NATION FROM THEIR LAND ALLOTMENT AND 

SETTLEMENT 

The challenges of restructuring and resource control in Nigeria have continued to gather 

momentum in all sections of the Country. There has been a constant clamour for disparity in 

the nations generated revenue. In order to the satisfy the desire and expectations of the general 

populace, the Nigeria nation needs to examine and underscore the proceedings and process of 

land allotment of the twelve tribes of Israel and the template they used. We shall examine the 

situation of the Nigeria nation in the light of the twelve tribes of Israel in the issues of 

restructuring and resource control.  

National Unity  

The settlement of the twelve tribes of Israel depicts a people with strong bonds of 

interconnection. The cohesion of the twelve tribes of Israel was unparallel and distinctive, 

devoid of sentiments and bigotry. They coexisted peacefully without any form of rancor, 

bitterness, acrimony and division. Each tribe was always willing to accommodate the other 

tribe irrespective of their locale and placement. As such, their unification expedited the 

conquering of the land of Canaan. Obviously, the twelve tribes of Israel became terror to their 

surrounding neighbors. Repeatedly, many prominent Nigerians have publicly affirmed that the 

unity of Nigeria as a nation is unnegotiable. Other regions and ethnic groups have debunked 

this view and by positing differently. Zamare and Karofi (2015) are of the view that national 

unity includes national cohesion, national integration, nation building and social solidarity. 

However, Pilkington (1956) observes that Nigeria is confronted with the domestic problem of 

unification in order to weld together as a nation. The issue of disunity is one amongst other 

domestic realities arising from regional differences of ethnicity and religion. Pilkington further 

stressed that the problem facing the unity of Nigeria is heightened from three dimensions. He 

highlighted them to be personal issues between different peoples speaking many languages, 



                                                                      Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 5 Issue 2, August 2025. 

                          ISSN: 2786-9792                                     

 

129 
 

and by social and religious customs which are often boosted by prejudice and obstinacy. 

Obinelo (2018) views national unity as the acceptance of other ethnic mechanisms of Nigeria 

into the nationhood of Nigeria. National unity emphasizes the oneness and acceptance of other 

parts of the country and other ethnic groups as part and parcel of the country. The attainment 

and realization of national unity is ingrained into the Nigeria motto, this further illustrates the 

importance of unity in overall structure of the country. Considerably, the perception and 

categorization of inferior and superior in the scheme of proceedings and in the nation’s 

structure and system arises from the functionality of disunity. This is evident within individuals 

on equal standing in respect to fundamental human rights. The agitation and contention for 

resource control and restructuring is premised on the foundations of disunity and divisional 

perception. Borrowing a leaf from the twelve tribes of Israel, the oneness and togetherness of 

the twelve tribes in their locale and settlement remains a template for Nigeria as a nation. The 

twelve tribes of Israel lived and worked together as one indivisible entity for the betterment of 

all.  

Collective Interest  

Looking at the historical narratives of the twelve tribes of Israel beginning from the existence 

down to their settlement in Canaan, the concept of individualism did not dominate the people, 

rather communalism was very much evident among them. They adopted collectivism in their 

way of living and even in the larger society. The quest for personal aggrandizement and 

gratification is considerably obscure, unacceptable and is detrimental to national interest. 

Personal and regional interest holds negative implication for national and collective interest.  

Zamare and Karofi (2015) forthrightly avert that regionalism and tribalism are ingredients of 

disunity. In line with the forgoing, Sani (2008), established that the promotion of class interest, 

social justice, inequality among citizens, poverty, disease and backwardness are ingrained in 

the democratic practices and political landscape of Nigeria. In retrospect, the process of land 

allotment among the twelve tribes of Israel shows that despite the ratio formula and the casting 

of lot which determined the size and portion of allotment, the people were satisfied and happy 

without putting up unnecessary protest. The situation is not so in Nigeria where the regions and 

geopolitical zones with the feeling of marginalization, subjugation and oppression agitate and 

protest for resource control and restructuring. Onifade (2013) observed that “Nigeria is a 

multicultural society, a conglomerate of nations with different people and cultures, a basket of 

different religions and worldviews and a country with diverse expectations of its citizens.” In 

view of the forgoing, it is worthwhile to underscore that as recipe for resource control and 

restructuring, no region, geopolitical zone, ethnic group or individuals’ whether big or small, 

noble or pauper is to be considered greater and more important that the others as encapsulated 

in the historical narratives of the twelve tribes of Israel. Nigeria as a nation shares a uniform 

dream and every region, geopolitical zone and ethnic group ought to sheave their personal 

interest for the purposes of achieving the collective and overall interest of the country. 

Furthermore, the twelve tribes of Israel screwed up the chances of nepotism, tribalism and 

individualist mindset among themselves. They had a collective interest despite their biological 

background, vocation and dispositions. Without any grievances, they focused on the national 

and collective goal of occupying the land of Canaan. Nepotism, tribalism and individualist 

ideologies are unhealthy to national development and progress. In Nigeria, these factors have 

increasingly and constantly occupied prime spots in the daily affairs of the Nigeria society. 

These factors amongst others have been identified as the rationale for the clamour of 

restructuring and resource control in Nigeria.  

 



             Ekenedilichukwu& Oziezi                                     The settlement of the twelve tribes of israel in.. 

 

130 
 

Peaceful and harmonious co-existence  

Aristotle in Iheanacho (2015) describes man as a social being, existing in a web of 

relationships. This is in line with the assertion of Samover and Porter who discovered that 

human beings drew close to one another by their common nature but habits and customs keep 

them apart. The twelve tribes of Israel enjoyed relative peace and harmonious co-existence 

among themselves irrespective of their family ties. This is untypical of most heterogenetic 

nations. In consonance with the forgoing, Iheanacho (2015) purports that man must live 

together and interact with other people, outside of which life is solitary, nasty, and detesting. 

Evidently, understanding, brotherliness, accommodation and patriotism are the hallmark for 

peaceful and harmonious coexistence among people from different ethnicity and tribe. This is 

consequent upon the fact that there is a degree of complexity in human nature. Iheanacho 

(2015) is of the view that every human person manifests shortcomings and incapacitations. 

That is to say that no human person is all sufficient and without limitations and weakness. 

Every human person suffers to an extent a measure of self-insufficiency and has flaws that 

create conflict resulting in societal disorder and breakdown. It is a known and established fact 

that there is a possibility of conflict ensuing between individuals and ethnic group with 

divergent interest, opinion and views due to misconceptions, misinformation and 

misunderstanding. This is typical of the human nature and no human person is exempted or 

immune to these tendencies. The twelve tribes of Israel were children of the same father but 

different mother, yet the tendencies of polygamy and divisions did not surface nor determine 

their level of mutual interaction and peaceful coexistence. The pattern employed for land 

allotment did not affect their relationship, they live amicably amongst themselves. Harmony, 

mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence remain key in the overall sustenance of Nigeria 

as a nation. The process of restructuring and resource control is anchored on the wheels of 

peaceful, harmonious and mutually coexistence. Nigerians must sheave their religious, ethnic 

and tribal differences. Irrespective of the precarious situations all over the country, peace is 

needed to curb the further manifestations and occurrence of these societal issues which are 

drying up the fountain of peace. With the recent societal issues of killings, maiming, rape and 

massive destruction ongoing, peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and harmonious 

interaction and relationship are inevitable. Nigerians must strive to build legacies of peace, 

harmony and understanding. Individuals across religious, ethnic and tribal lines must learn to 

accommodate the flaws and peculiarity of other ethnic groups.  

Ethnic and Religious Tolerance 

The phenomenon of ethnicity and religious intolerance has been a contemporal issue and is 

gaining wider acceptance among various ethnic and religious groups throughout the country. 

Prevailing circumstances of unsatisfactory and unfavorable situation in the political, social, 

economic, developmental structure have compelled some ethnic and religious groups to 

clamour for resource control and restructuring.  Pockets of agitations from ethnic groups like 

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the South, Movement for the 

Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the South East, Oduduwa 

People’s Congress (OPC) in the West, Boko Haram in the North, Bakkasi Boys, Fulani 

herdsmen and several other vigilante groups rising throughout the country, each group with a 

cogent reason for their protest. Michael Ezemonye (2011). For the twelve tribes of Israel to 

settle and live peacefully among themselves, they tolerated one another. Nigeria as at present 

is suffocating; the general populace including the federating ethnic nationalities can no longer 

bear the suffocating effects. The situation of the country has further denigrated due to the 

heightened rate of religious, regional and ethnic intolerance visible within nook and cranny of 



                                                                      Aquino Journal of Philosophy, Vol 5 Issue 2, August 2025. 

                          ISSN: 2786-9792                                     

 

131 
 

the country. Regional and ethnic tensions abound in almost all the regions and cutting across 

various ethnic group, the situation has been left to fester into uncontrollable spiral of violence. 

The twelve tribes of Israel tolerated each other’s negligence’s and weakness. They gave room 

for readjustments in order to accommodate each other for mutual and peaceful co-existences. 

Nigerians must consider each other’s peculiarity, by accommodating them and give them a 

sense of belonging. Ali (2011) expressed that dialogue and tolerance must be encouraged by 

the various ties of government in order to achieve peaceful co-existence. Conceptualizing this 

expression, dialogue and tolerance must be deployed in tacking the clamour for resource 

control. 

 

CONCLUSION 

Nigeria is a multicultural society with different ethnic and religious groups. Each of these 

groups are clamouring for resource control and restructuring due to disparity of resources. It is 

important to mention that in achieving resource control and restructuring, the experience of the 

twelve tribes of Israel remains a workable template and functional mechanism in achieving the 

goal of the nation with a justifiable and satisfactory end for the general populace. The paper 

therefore makes a concerted effort in unraveling the identity of the twelve tribes of Israel, their 

culture, journey from the land of captivity and settlement in the land of Canaan. It also 

examines the sharing of the land which was purely by casting of lot, of which was satisfactory 

to each of the tribes despite the allotment that was commeasurable with the size of each tribe. 

It is important to mention here that the paper noted four key factors which made it possible for 

the twelve tribes to live within the same locale without trouble and quarrel. These factors are 

unity among them which made them to live and behave as one. They had the spirit of collective 

interest which gave no room for the quest for agitation. They peacefully and harmoniously co-

existed despite their different individual makeup which they never allowed to manifest in 

occasions of personal interest and goals. Finally, there was tribal/ethnic tolerance that existed 

among them. In view of all these noted points, this paper makes a bold attempt to posit that 

these lessons are paramount and needed in the Nigerian society without which the clamour for 

resource control and restructuring will still be witnessed.      

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Having carried out this research with available sources of information, the paper recommends 

that: 

 Personal interest and ambition should be set aside for the collective interest of all which 

will further create an environment for peace, unity and progress thereby giving room 

for restructuring and resource control. 

 Nigerian nation should borrow a leaf from the twelve tribes of Israel who lived and 

worked together as one indivisible entity for the betterment of all. Hence, oneness and 

togetherness of the twelve tribes in their locale and settlement remains a template for 

Nigeria as a nation.  

 Owing to the fact that Nigeria as a nation shares a uniform dream, it therefore 

recommends that every region, geopolitical zone and ethnic group should sheave their 

personal interest for the purpose of achieving the collective and overall interest of the 

country.  

 The paper also recommends that in acknowledgement of nepotism, tribalism and 

individualist ideologies that are unhealthy to national development and progress. 



             Ekenedilichukwu& Oziezi                                     The settlement of the twelve tribes of israel in.. 

 

132 
 

Nigeria society should set aside these ways of life in order to co-exist and move as one 

indivisible entity.  

 Irrespective of the precarious situations all over the country of which peace is needed 

to curb the further manifestations and occurrence of these societal issues that are drying 

up the fountain of peace. Therefore, it is recommended that Nigerians should sheave 

their religious, ethnic and tribal differences. 

 The paper finally recommends that Nigerians must consider each other’s peculiarity, 

by accommodating them and give them a sense of belonging. Dialogue and tolerance 

must be encouraged by the various ties of government in order to achieve peaceful co-

existence.  

 

REFERENCES 

 

Gill, N. S (2019). What are the twelve tribes of Israel? Are the legendary tribes of Israel just 

that? www.thoughtco.com retrieved Saturday 14th September, 2019. 

Iheanacho N. N (2015), Humanities and Human Relations: A Religious and Cultural Approach, 

Stepson publishing house, Port Harcourt.   

Michael Ezemonye (2011), Movements for Ethnic Group Actualization, National Vanguard 

Newspaper, Friday 2nd December, 2011.    

Mohammed S. A (2011). NIREC Has ensured peace building and mutual co-existence. In 

Abdullahi Yelwa (eds) kings and democracy. The Nigeria Traditional Institution in the age of 

constitution. Capital publisher, Abuja Nigeria.  

Obinelo, M. (2018). What is National unity in the context of Nigeria? www.quora.com  

retrieved 25th September, 2019.   

Onifade C. A and Imhonopi, D (2013). Towards National Integration. In Nigeria jumping the 

Hurdles. www.iiste.org. retrieved 15th September, 2015.   

Pilkington, F. (1956). The Problem of Nigeria Unity. Oxford Journals Vol.55, Issues 220, July 

1956, pages 219-222. 

Samovar L. and Porter R. (2003). “Understanding Intercultural Communication: An 

Introduction and Overview” In Samovar L. AND Porter R. (eds’) Intercultural 

Communication: A Reader. Australia, Canada: Thomson Wadsworth.  

Sani A. G (2008). Democracy for National Development in Nigeria.  Issues and Challenges in 

the 21st century. In Journal of Art and social sciences, Kontagora (JASSKON) Unique press 

Lagos, Nigeria. 

Sawe, Benjamin Elisha. "What Were the Twelve Tribes of Israel?" WorldAtlas, Apr. 25, 2017, 

worldatlas.com/articles/what-were-the-twelve-tribes-of-israel.html. 

Wotogbo, W. W. O (2005). Themes in Comparative Religion, Stepson printing, Port Harcourt.  

Zamare U. S and Karofi S.A (2015). National Unity: A Catalyst for Sustainable Democracy in 

Nigeria, Journal of Developing Country studies. Vol. 5. No. 8. wwsw.iiste.org 

 

http://www.thoughtco.com/
http://www.quora.com/
http://www.iiste.org/
http://www.iiste.org/

