King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:23 Mean?

Numbers 26:23 in the King James Version says “Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:”

Numbers 26:23 · KJV

Context

21

And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.

22

These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.

23

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

24

Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

25

These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.

Read Numbers 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. 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?
  2. What does Issachar's agricultural calling teach about the dignity of ordinary labor and economic productivity within God's covenant purposes?
  3. 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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
בְּנֵ֤י1 of 9

“Of the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשָּׂשכָר֙2 of 9

“of Issachar”

H3485

jissaskar, a son of jacob

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת3 of 9

“after their families”

H4940

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

תּוֹלָ֕ע4 of 9

“of Tola”

H8439

tola, the name of two israelites

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת5 of 9

“after their families”

H4940

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

הַתּֽוֹלָעִ֑י6 of 9

“of the Tolaites”

H8440

a tolaite (collectively) or descendants of tola

לְפֻוָ֕ה7 of 9

“of Pua”

H6312

puah or puvvah, the name of two israelites

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת8 of 9

“after their families”

H4940

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

הַפּוּנִֽי׃9 of 9

“of the Punites”

H6324

a punite (collectively) or descendants of an unknown pun

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 26:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 26:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 7:1Genesis 46:13Genesis 30:17-18Numbers 2:5

Test Your Knowledge

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