The Myth of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Dan McClellan and Dan Beecher; Data Over Dogma podcast on YouTube)

The Bible is certain there were twelve tribes of Israel — so why does the list keep changing? This episode we track the disappearing tribe of Levi, the two grandsons who quietly fill Joseph's seat, and the ten-tribe roll call buried in the Song of Deborah, all the while asking what that number twelve was actually for. The answer has less to do with a family tree than it does with who gets to count as Israel — and who gets written out.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome
1:01 Israel is Jacob
2:05 What "Israel" really means
2:59 Tribes as identity markers
4:21 Tribe of Dan merch break
5:45 Where are Ephraim and Manasseh?
6:56 The Song of Deborah
9:48 A confederation, not a family?
10:39 How Levi got added
12:36 When was this written?
13:58 Two kingdoms, one story
15:41 The lost ten tribes
16:48 Exile and the Samaritans
18:28 Identity as ideology
19:39 Why the number 12?
22:10 Replacing Judas
24:38 Jacob's wives and concubines
26:08 Were the tribes ranked?
29:08 Wrap-up

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/dBOPaZpVDnw?si=J2D4BVZVetO7DPHO