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:

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Numbers 26:23 is a concise verse detailing two of the primary families descended from Issachar, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. This specific entry is part of the comprehensive second census of Israel, conducted by Moses and Eleazar in the plains of Moab.

Context

This verse is situated within Numbers chapter 26, which records a vital census taken near the end of Israel's forty-year wilderness journey, just before they were to enter the Promised Land. This census served several critical purposes:

  • It identified the fighting men ready to conquer Canaan, distinguishing them from the generation that perished in the wilderness due to disobedience.
  • It provided a basis for the equitable division of the land among the tribes and their families, as specified in Numbers 26:52-56.
  • It demonstrated God's faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His people, despite their trials, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham.

The tribe of Issachar, mentioned here, was known for its understanding of the times and what Israel ought to do (1 Chronicles 12:32). Their forefather, Issachar, was the fifth son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:18).

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Meticulousness: The detailed genealogical lists underscore God's precision and care for the organization of His people. Every family, even seemingly minor ones like the Tolaites and Punites, had a recognized place within the larger tribal structure.
  • Continuity of God's Covenant: Despite the previous generation's failure and subsequent death in the wilderness, God's promise to make Abraham's descendants a great nation was being fulfilled. The census shows the continuity of the tribes and families, ready to inherit the land.
  • Tribal Identity and Inheritance: These family designations were crucial for establishing individual and collective claims to the land of Canaan. Each family's lineage determined its portion in the upcoming distribution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrasing "the family of the Tolaites" and "the family of the Punites" is a common Hebrew construction (e.g., mishpachat ha-Tola'i), signifying direct descent and the establishment of a distinct lineage group. The names Tola and Pua (also called Puah in other contexts like Genesis 46:13) represent the foundational heads of these sub-clans within the tribe of Issachar.

Practical Application

While seemingly a dry list of names, Numbers 26:23, like other genealogical passages, offers valuable insights:

  • It reminds us that God is a God of order and detail. He cares about the individual families and their place within His grand plan.
  • It reinforces the enduring nature of God's promises. Even when human failure seems to derail plans, God's covenant faithfulness prevails across generations.
  • It highlights the importance of spiritual heritage and lineage, showing how God works through families and communities to accomplish His purposes. Every family, every individual, contributes to the larger narrative of God's redemptive work.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 7:1 (5 votes)

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

  • Genesis 46:13 (5 votes)

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

  • Genesis 30:17 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 30:18 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.