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this is from a Christian site, but the facts are right here. Is Jewish Identity By Patrilineal Or Matrilineal Descent?
In early biblical history, descent was clearly patrilineal (Exodus 31:2). Abraham was the first Hebrew (Genesis 14:13). Abraham and Sarah would have a son, Isaac, which would establish the line. Isaac and Rebecca would then have a son, Jacob, which would further that line, and Jacob would then have twelve sons, establishing tribal authority. Never once does the idea appear that a daughter would be necessary to maintain the lineage of Israel. After all, both of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were born of an Egyptian mother, but there is no hint that they were unacceptable as tribal leaders. Simeon’s sons were also born of a non-Israeli, and they were considered leaders in Israel as well (Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15). Moses’ sons were born of a non-Israeli Midianite. The sons of Solomon were of non-Israeli women (1 Kings 10), and so on.
