Abraham's son of God's promise Isaac through Sarah was the father of Jacob. Jacob was later renamed by God as Israel and his descendants are the Israelites.

Jacob fled from his brother's wrath to Haran. He would marry two of Laban’s daughters (and also two of their maids). Jacob was renamed Israel. Children would be born to him. Israelites came into being. Of the twelve sons (and a daughter), the name of Judah who was born to Leah the elder of the two is noteworthy. Also of importance is Joseph, born to Rachel, the younger.

Jacob's twelve sons became the twelve tribes. Levi was considered special and God became their inheritance. So, sons of Joseph who received a double blessing, Ephraim and Manasseh replaced Joseph to account for the twelve.