Simeon in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

1. (See LEVI.) Jacob's second son by Leah, Genesis 29:33. From shaama, "hear"; as the birth of Reuben ("see a son") her firstborn convinced Leah that God saw her, so that of Simeon that God heard her. Levi's and Simeon's slaughter of the Shechemites (Genesis 34:25; Genesis 34:30) incurred Jacob's reproof (Genesis 49:5-7). Judah and Simeon joined together in the conquest of southern Canaan (Judges 1:3; Judges 1:17). Joseph's selection of Simeon as hostage for Benjamin's appearance was perhaps due to his having been a leader in the brothers' cruel attack (Genesis 37; Genesis 42:24). Simeon's families are enumerated (Genesis 46:10; Numbers 26:12-14; 1 Chronicles 4:24-43). At the census at Sinai Simeon numbered 59,300 (Numbers 1:23); it was then the most numerous after Judah and Daniel At Shittim it had become the smallest, numbering 22,200. The mortality consequent on the idolatry of Peor was a leading cause (Numbers 25:9; Numbers 25:14). Zimri, slain in the act, was a prince of Simeon (Numbers 26:14). Simeon was doomed by Jacob to be "scattered in Israel" (Genesis 49:7); its sins caused its reduction to such small numbers as found adequate territory within Judah (Joshua 19:2-9). Simeon was the "remnant" with Judah and Benjamin, which constituted Rehoboam's forces (1 Kings 12:23). Still Simeon remained strong enough in Hezekiah's days to smite the men of Ham with an expedition under 13 Simeonite princes, and to occupy their dwellings "at the entrance of (rather, as Keil, "westward from") Gedor to the E. side of the valley" (1 Chronicles 4:34-43). The Simeonites "found the Meunim" (not as KJV, 1 Chronicles 4:41, "habitations") there besides the Hamites (whether Egyptians, Cushites, or Canaanites). (See MAON.)...