"a tribe, Mt. 19:28; 24:30; Lk. 2:36; a people, nation, Rev. 1:7; 5:9"
Definition and meaning
a tribe, Mt. 19:28; 24:30; Lk. 2:36; a people, nation, Rev. 1:7; 5:9
In the original Greek the word is written: φυλή
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of phyle (G5443) across the King James Bible.
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
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Common questions
Strong's G5443 (phyle) is a Greek word that means: a tribe, Mt. 19:28; 24:30; Lk. 2:36; a people, nation, Rev. 1:7; 5:9 It appears 23 times in the King James Bible.
The word phyle (G5443) appears 23 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5443 is phyle, a Greek word defined as: a tribe, Mt. 19:28; 24:30; Lk. 2:36; a people, nation, Rev. 1:7; 5:9. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phyle is a Greek word found in the New Testament.