Numbers 26:23

KJV

[Of] the sons of Issachar after their families: [of] Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the sons {H1121} of Issachar {H3485} after their families {H4940}: of Tola {H8439}, the family {H4940} of the Tolaites {H8440}: of Pua {H6312}, the family {H4940} of the Punites {H6324}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The descendants of Yissakhar, by their families, were: of Tola, the family of the Tola'i; of Puvah, the family of the Puni;

Berean Standard Bible

These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans: The Tolaite clan from Tola, the Punite clan from Puvah,

American Standard Version

The sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:23 is a precise genealogical record found within the second census of Israel, conducted by Moses and Eleazar in the plains of Moab. This verse meticulously identifies two prominent family clans belonging to the tribe of Issachar: the Tolaites, tracing their lineage to Tola, and the Punites, descended from Pua. Though brief, this entry is vital for the meticulous record-keeping that underscores God's providential care for His people, His unwavering faithfulness in preserving the covenant lineage despite past failures, and the foundational basis for the future distribution of the Promised Land among the various tribal families as Israel stood on the precipice of entering Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:23 is embedded within the comprehensive second national census of Israel, detailed in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This census, taken nearly forty years after the first one recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), systematically enumerates the fighting men (those twenty years old and upward) from each of the twelve tribes, organized by their respective families. The immediate context of verses 23-25 specifically focuses on the tribe of Issachar, listing its four main family divisions. This meticulous enumeration serves as a critical bridge between the wilderness wanderings and the imminent conquest of Canaan, establishing the new generation that would inherit the land and providing the foundational data for its equitable division, as explicitly outlined later in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Principles for Land Distribution"). The census thus validates the continuity of God's people and prepares them for the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This census occurs in the plains of Moab, poised on the eastern border of the Promised Land, following the forty years of wilderness wandering and the death of the disobedient generation (cf. [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26-35 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Disobedient Generation")). The previous generation, condemned for their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea, had perished, making this new census essential to identify the generation prepared to inherit God's covenant promises. Culturally, such detailed genealogical records were indispensable in ancient Israel for establishing identity, confirming inheritance rights, and organizing military and civil structures. Tribal and family affiliation determined one's social standing, access to resources, and participation in communal responsibilities. The naming of specific family heads like Tola and Pua underscores the patriarchal structure and the paramount importance of lineage in maintaining social order, land claims, and the continuity of the covenant community.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:23, as part of the broader census, powerfully illustrates several key theological themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Order and Meticulousness**, revealing God's precise and systematic approach to the organization and future of His people. Every family, regardless of its size, is accounted for within His grand design, demonstrating His intimate knowledge and care. Secondly, it highlights the **Continuity of God's Covenant Faithfulness**. Despite the failures, judgments, and deaths of the previous generation, God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants and grant them the land remained steadfast. The very existence of these numerous families, now ready to inherit, testifies to God's enduring commitment to His word, as first given in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abram"). Thirdly, the census underscores the theme of **Tribal Identity and Inheritance**, as these detailed family lists were foundational for the upcoming distribution of the land, ensuring that each family received its rightful portion, as foreshadowed by Jacob's blessings in [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Genesis 49 - Jacob's Prophetic Blessings"). The tribe of Issachar, specifically mentioned here, was notably recognized for their wisdom and understanding of the times, as highlighted in [1 Chronicles 12:32](/1_chronicles/12-32 "1 Chronicles 12:32 - The Men of Issachar").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sons (Hebrew, _bên_):** This term (H1121), meaning "a son" or "descendant," emphasizes the patrilineal nature of Israelite society and the direct lineage from the tribal patriarch, Issachar. It signifies not merely biological offspring but also the collective body of a clan or tribe derived from a common ancestor. In this context, it highlights the continuity of the tribal identity through generations, even after the death of the original wilderness generation, ensuring the preservation of the covenant line.
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh_):** The Hebrew word for "families" (H4940, _mishpâchâh_, plural _mishpâchôt_) denotes a clan or a larger extended family unit, often comprising multiple households tracing their descent from a common ancestor. These "families" were the fundamental building blocks of the tribes, serving as the primary units for social, military, and economic organization, and crucially, for the division of the land. The meticulous listing of these families underscores the structured and ordered nature of Israelite society under God's governance.
* **Tola (Hebrew, _Tôwlâʻ_):** The name "Tola" (H8439, _Tôwlâʻ_) means "worm" or "scarlet worm," referring to the crimson dye derived from it. While the meaning of the name itself might seem unusual, its significance here lies in its role as the progenitor of a distinct family clan, the Tolaites. Tola is listed as one of the four sons of Issachar in [Genesis 46:13](/genesis/46-13 "Genesis 46:13 - Sons of Issachar") and [1 Chronicles 7:1-2](/1_chronicles/7-1-2 "1 Chronicles 7:1-2 - Descendants of Issachar"), establishing his historical and genealogical importance as a foundational head within the tribe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Of] the sons of Issachar after their families:"** This opening phrase sets the specific tribal context for the subsequent enumeration. It indicates that the names to follow represent the major family divisions that originated from Issachar, who was Jacob's fifth son by Leah. The phrase "after their families" emphasizes the organizational principle of the census: not just individuals, but established patrilineal clans, confirming the structured nature of the Israelite community.
* **"[of] Tola, the family of the Tolaites:"** This clause identifies the first major family clan within the tribe of Issachar. Tola is named as the ancestral head, and his descendants are collectively referred to as "the Tolaites." This structure, "[of] [ancestor], the family of the [descendants]," is a standard Hebrew genealogical formula, clearly linking the current generation to their founding patriarch and establishing their distinct identity within the larger tribal structure.
* **"of Pua, the family of the Punites:"** This clause similarly identifies the second major family clan within Issachar. Pua (also spelled Puah in other biblical texts like [Genesis 46:13](/genesis/46-13 "Genesis 46:13 - Sons of Issachar")) is the ancestral head, and his descendants are known as "the Punites." The repetition of this precise formula reinforces the systematic and comprehensive nature of the census, ensuring that each foundational lineage is acknowledged, recorded, and thus recognized for the purposes of land inheritance and tribal organization.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 26:23, and indeed throughout much of Numbers 26, is **Genealogy**. This is a systematic listing of ancestors and their descendants, serving to establish lineage, identity, and rights within the Israelite community. In this context, the genealogy is not merely a dry list but a profound theological statement, affirming God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises by demonstrating the continuity and growth of the Israelite nation despite the wilderness judgments. The meticulous recording of each family, exemplified by the **Repetition** of the "family of the X-ites" structure, also highlights God's divine order and precision, showing that every individual and family has a designated place within His grand redemptive design. The census itself functions as a powerful **Symbol** of renewal and preparation, marking the pivotal transition from a generation under judgment to a new generation poised for inheritance and the fulfillment of God's promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:23, though a concise genealogical entry, deeply connects to profound theological truths. It underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign hand in preserving His people through generations. The very act of counting and naming each family demonstrates that God is a God of order, who cares about the individual components and structures of His chosen nation. This census, taken after the old generation had perished in the wilderness, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, proving that His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would endure and be fulfilled through the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land. It also highlights the importance of spiritual heritage and the continuity of God's work through successive generations, reminding us that every family, every individual, has a place and a purpose within God's unfolding redemptive narrative, contributing to the grand tapestry of His plan.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make a Great Nation")
* [Deuteronomy 1:35-36](/deuteronomy/1-35-36 "Deuteronomy 1:35-36 - The Fate of the Disobedient Generation")
* [Joshua 14:1-2](/joshua/14-1-2 "Joshua 14:1-2 - Division of the Land by Lot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Numbers 26:23 might initially appear as a mere historical record, it offers profound spiritual lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives and communities. Just as He meticulously accounted for every family in Israel, so too does He know each one of us by name, caring for our individual journeys and our place within His larger family, the church. This passage encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem to derail His plans; His promises endure across generations, and He will bring His purposes to fruition. Furthermore, it prompts us to consider our own spiritual lineage and the heritage of faith passed down to us. We are part of a continuous story of God's redemptive work, called to live faithfully and contribute to the building of His kingdom, ensuring that the covenant promises continue to bear fruit in our lives and through us to future generations. This verse calls us to embrace our identity within God's family and to steward the spiritual inheritance we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including specific family names, speak to God's character and His intimate care for individuals within His larger plan?**
* **In what ways does the continuity of the Israelite families, despite the previous generation's failures and judgments, demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises?**
* **How can understanding our own spiritual heritage and our place within God's larger family (the Church) motivate us to live purposefully and contribute to His kingdom today?**

### FAQ
**Why are these seemingly dry genealogical lists so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Genealogical lists, like Numbers 26:23, are far from dry; they are foundational to the biblical narrative and theology, serving multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, they establish **identity and legitimacy**, proving who belongs to which tribe and family, which was vital for inheritance rights, military service, and religious roles in ancient Israel. Secondly, they powerfully demonstrate **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, particularly His promise to multiply Abraham's descendants into a great nation (see [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The very existence of these numerous families, despite challenges, wilderness judgments, and even rebellion, testifies to God's enduring commitment to His word. Thirdly, they underscore **divine order and meticulousness**, showing that God is intimately involved in the details of His people's lives and their organization, preparing them for their destiny. Finally, and most significantly, they contribute to the **redemptive historical narrative**, meticulously tracing the lineage that would ultimately lead to the Messiah, ensuring the continuity of the covenant line through which God's ultimate salvation plan would unfold for all humanity, as seen in the genealogies of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 26:23 is a specific genealogical record within the Old Covenant, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The meticulous counting of families, the emphasis on lineage, and the continuity of God's people all point forward to the ultimate "family" of God established through Jesus Christ. The very reason for such careful genealogical records in the Old Testament was to preserve the line through which the Messiah would come, culminating in the birth of Jesus, whose own lineage is meticulously traced in the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). Just as the Tolaites and Punites were counted and given an inheritance in the earthly Promised Land, so too are believers in Christ counted as part of God's spiritual family, inheriting the eternal promises of God. Through Christ, the divisions of earthly families and tribes are transcended, and all who believe become "sons of God" by faith ([Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26-29 "Galatians 3:26-29 - Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus")), part of a new covenant people, with an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - Living Hope Through Christ")). Thus, the meticulous order of Numbers 26:23 foreshadows the divine order of God's redemptive plan, perfectly executed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who brings all believers into His eternal family and grants them a heavenly inheritance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 7:1

¶ Now the sons of Issachar [were], Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.

Genesis 46:13

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

Genesis 30:17

And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

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.

Numbers 2:5

And those that do pitch next unto him [shall be] the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar [shall be] captain of the children of Issachar.