Numbers 26:23
Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֤י
Of the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֤י
Of the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
3 of 9
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
5 of 9
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַתּֽוֹלָעִ֑י
of the Tolaites
H8440
הַתּֽוֹלָעִ֑י
of the Tolaites
Strong's:
H8440
Word #:
6 of 9
a tolaite (collectively) or descendants of tola
Historical Context
Issachar received the fertile Jezreel Valley (Joshua 19:17-23), becoming an agricultural powerhouse. Their territory included Mount Tabor and the Plain of Esdraelon, both strategically significant. Despite Jacob's prediction of servitude, Issachar maintained tribal identity and produced Deborah's general Barak (Judges 4:6) and later King Baasha (1 Kings 15:27).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Issachar's transformation from 'servant unto tribute' (Genesis 49:15) to having 'understanding of the times' (1 Chronicles 12:32) illustrate the possibility of overcoming negative generational patterns?
- What does Issachar's agricultural calling teach about the dignity of ordinary labor and economic productivity within God's covenant purposes?
- In what ways might the tribe's wisdom ('understanding of the times') compensate for their apparent military weakness, and how does this apply to the church's spiritual warfare?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The sons of Issachar after their families—Issachar's census lists four clans: Tolaites (from Tola, תּוֹלָע, 'worm' or 'scarlet'), Punites (from Pua/Puah, פּוּאָה, 'splendid'), Jashubites (from Jashub, יָשׁוּב, 'he will return'), and Shimronites (v. 24). Issachar was Jacob's ninth son, born to Leah after the mandrake incident (Genesis 30:18)—his name means 'hired worker' or 'reward.'
Jacob's blessing described Issachar as 'a strong donkey couching between two burdens...and became a servant unto tribute' (Genesis 49:14-15), suggesting agricultural productivity and potential compromise. Yet 1 Chronicles 12:32 praises Issachar's sons as those 'which had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do'—wisdom compensating for military weakness.