Shimon was the second son of Yaakov and Leah, and the forefather of the tribe that bears his name. According to Seder Olam Rabbah, he was born in Charan in the year 2194 from Creation. The Yalkut Shimoni places his birth on 28 Tevet; the Book of Jubilees and Midrash Tadshe, on 21 Tevet. Leah named him saying, "Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, He has given me this one also" (Genesis 29:33).

With his brother Levi, he avenged the honor of their sister Dinah by killing Shechem son of Chamor and every male of the city. When Yaakov rebuked them for endangering the family among the people of the land, they answered, "Should he treat our sister like a harlot?"

The Midrash relates that Shimon took an active part in the sale of Yosef and cast him into the pit; this is why Yosef chose him to be held in Egypt, binding him before his brothers' eyes until they returned with Binyamin. The Midrash adds that Yosef did not repay him measure for measure and treated him kindly while he was detained.

Before his death, Yaakov addressed Shimon and Levi in light of their temperament: "I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel" (Genesis 49:7). The tribe of Shimon accordingly received its inheritance within the territory of Judah.

According to the Yalkut Shimoni he died at 120; according to the Book of Jubilees and Midrash Tadshe, at 127. His burial place is not mentioned in the Bible and is the subject of several traditions, among them Hebron, Arbel, Kafr Manda and Egypt.