Genesis 46:13

And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.

And the sons {H1121} of Issachar {H3485}; Tola {H8439}, and Phuvah {H6312}, and Job {H3102}, and Shimron {H8110}.

The sons of Yissakhar: Tola, Puvah, Yov and Shimron.

The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.

And the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Puvah, and Iob, and Shimron.

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 46:13 (KJV)

Genesis 46:13 lists the four sons of Issachar: Tola, Phuvah, Job, and Shimron. This verse is part of a detailed genealogical record found in Genesis 46, which enumerates the seventy souls of Jacob's household who journeyed from Canaan into Egypt to escape the famine.

Context

This verse is situated within a crucial narrative section describing Jacob (Israel) and his entire family's descent into Egypt at the invitation of Pharaoh, mediated by Joseph. The meticulous listing of each family member, including sons and grandsons, serves to emphasize the precision of God's providence and the foundational identity of the nascent nation of Israel. Issachar was Jacob's ninth son, born to Leah (Genesis 30:18). The enumeration of his sons here provides the basis for one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Genealogical Precision: The detailed family tree underscores the importance of lineage in ancient Israelite culture and in God's plan. It shows the specific individuals who would collectively form the seventy souls from whom a great nation would spring.
  • Divine Faithfulness: This list, though seemingly mundane, is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving Jacob's family, despite severe famine, setting the stage for the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham regarding numerous descendants (Genesis 12:2, Genesis 15:5).
  • Foundation of the Tribes: Each of these names represents a family unit that would eventually contribute to the formation of the tribe of Issachar, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The inclusion of these names establishes the historical roots of the future nation.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves, Tola, Phuvah, Job, and Shimron, are proper names. The name "Job" here is distinct from the more famous patriarch of the Book of Job; this Job is simply one of Issachar's sons. While the names carry their own meanings in Hebrew, in this genealogical context, their primary significance is identifying the individuals who made up the family unit. The meticulous recording of these names highlights the Hebrew Bible's emphasis on historical continuity and the identity of God's chosen people.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of human history and individual lives. Even seemingly small or insignificant names in a long list are important to Him, as they represent the people through whom His grand purposes unfold. It encourages us to see value in every individual and to trust that God is working out His plan through generations, often starting from humble beginnings, leading to the fulfillment of His promises. The preservation of this family line in Egypt was crucial for the future of Israel and ultimately for the coming of the Messiah.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 12:32

    And of the children of Issachar, [which were men] that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them [were] two hundred; and all their brethren [were] at their commandment.

  • Deuteronomy 33:18

    ¶ And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.

  • Genesis 35:23

    The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

  • Genesis 30:14

    ¶ And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.

  • Genesis 30:18

    And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

  • Genesis 49:14

    Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

  • Genesis 49:15

    And he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was] pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
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