Dictionary of Biblical Words:
Easy though it may appear to enumerate these, the way the number twelve is preserved constantly varies, from the fact that Joseph is divided into two—Ephraim and Manasseh, thus making thirteen. To counterbalance this, Levi was given to the Lord, and had no territorial possessions except forty-eight cities. Still it is sometimes enumerated and some other left out. The remnant of two of the tribes only were left in the land at the time of the Lord, ten having been carried away entirely; and probably exist as some obscure people somewhere in small numbers, which will rapidly increase before they return to their own land at the beginning of the millennium. These ten tribes, having had no share in crucifying Christ, will not suffer under the reign of Antichrist. It is remarkable to see the faith of James in writing to the whole twelve tribes at a time when even the two were almost gone. So Elijah also builds his altar on. Mount Carmel with twelve stones.
Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(division). In a Roman sense, the third part of the empire, but with Hebrews any division of the people, especially that division which sprung from the twelve sons of Jacob, and was perpetuated in their descendants (Gen. 48:5; Num. 26:5-51; Josh. 13:7-33; 15-19). Of these tribes two, Ephraim and Manasseh, sprang from Joseph. Still there were only twelve partitions of conquered Canaan, for the tribe of Levi received no allotment of lands, but was diffused in cities among the other tribes and supported by them. Each tribe was headed by a prince, and each possessed considerable independence even under the monarchy. They waged war separately and among themselves (Judg. 1:2-4; 1 Chron. 5:18-22; 2 Sam. 2:4-9); and finally ten of the tribes revolted and set up the separate kingdom of Israel (19:41-43; 1 Kings 12). For history of each tribe see its title.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
from 5453 (compare 5444); an offshoot, i.e. race or clan
KJV Usage:
kindred, tribe