Eventually the families of these sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, each tribe being named after the respective son of Jacob (Israel).

The "children of Israel" who left Egypt were therefore the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose name God had changed to Israel.

After Exodus chapter 32, the tribe of Levi was appointed to special service in the Tabernacle (see Levites). Levi's place among the twelve tribes was filled by allowing the two sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) to each become a tribe.