Numbers 26:23-24
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This verse, though seemingly just a list of names, reveals God's meticulous care for His people. He's not just counting heads for a census, but specifically noting the lineage and familial lines, demonstrating that every single person, down to their family branch, matters deeply in His grand plan.
The sons of Issachar according to their clans: of Tola, the clan of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the clan of the Punites; of Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a census of the Israelite people being taken in the plains of Moab, after the devastating plague that had decimated many. Moses and Eleazar are conducting this census to determine land inheritance based on the number of people in each family and tribe, a stark contrast to the previous census taken at Mount Sinai where many had died. The context highlights both God's judgment and His faithfulness to His promises, as the people are accounted for again before entering the Promised Land.
Ever wonder why so many names are listed in the Bible? It's more than just a roll call!
The book of Numbers is filled with genealogies and census records. This chapter, in particular, is a second census of the Israelites, taken after a devastating plague and before they enter the Promised Land.
Why the Detail?
Did you catch that? Sometimes biblical names aren't exactly the same from one book to another. What's going on there?
When you compare this verse to Genesis 46:13, you see a slight difference in one of Issachar's son's names: 'Puvah' here versus 'Puah' in Genesis.
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The Power of Names
Understand the original words
Yissakar · Hebrew Noun
The fifth son of Jacob and the ninth son overall, born to Leah. His name is associated with the concept of "hire" or "reward."
c. 1446 BC
Census at Mount Sinai
The first census of the Israelites was taken shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, as they camped at Mount Sinai. This established the initial count of fighting-age males.
c. 1446-1406 BC
The Wilderness Wanderings
Following the census at Sinai, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience. During this time, the generation that left Egypt, except for Joshua and Caleb, perished.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
The Plague and Second Census
A plague swept through the Israelite camp, causing significant loss of life. Following this, God commanded a second census to be taken by Moses and Eleazar.
c. 1406 BC
Land Allotment Preparation
This second census determined the number of Israelites eligible to inherit the Promised Land. The land was to be divided by lot according to the size of each tribe's population.
This passage lists the sons of Issachar, providing a parallel to the clan names found in Numbers 26, highlighting the continuity of family lineages.
1 Chronicles 7:1This chapter also enumerates the sons of Issachar and their descendants, reinforcing the genealogical record and showing how these clans were recognized in later Israelite history.
Numbers 1:29Comparing the initial census in Numbers 1 with this later one in Numbers 26 reveals the significant demographic shifts and God's faithfulness in preserving His people despite losses in the wilderness.
Joshua 19:17-23This passage describes the territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar, showing how these families, listed in Numbers 26, were settled in the Promised Land according to their inheritance.
gillNumbers 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 of Issachar, after their families,.... This tribe was numbered next to Judah, because it was under his standard. Two of his sons are a little differently named than they are Genesis 46:13 instead of Phuvah one is called Pua, and instead of Job another is called here Jashub; this tribe consisted of four families, and the number of warlike men in it wa…
calvinNumbers 26:1-65: "And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,"
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord:
Filii autem Eliab, Nebuel, Dathan et Abiron: isti sunt Dathan et Abiron majores synagogae qui rixati sunt contra Mosen et…
This verse, though seemingly just a list of names, reveals God's meticulous care for His people. He's not just counting heads for a census, but specifically noting the lineage and familial lines, demonstrating that every single person, down to their family branch, matters deeply in His grand plan.
This passage is part of a census of the Israelite people being taken in the plains of Moab, after the devastating plague that had decimated many. Moses and Eleazar are conducting this census to determine land inheritance based on the number of people in each family and tribe, a stark contrast to the previous census taken at Mount Sinai where many had died. The context highlights both God's judgment and His faithfulness to His promises, as the people are accounted for again before entering the Promised Land.
This passage is part of a census of the Israelite people being taken in the plains of Moab, after the devastating plague that had decimated many. Moses and Eleazar are conducting this census to determine land inheritance based on the number of people in each family and tribe, a stark contrast to the previous census taken at Mount Sinai where many had died. The context highlights both God's judgment and His faithfulness to His promises, as the people are accounted for again before entering the Promised Land.
"The sons of Issachar according to their clans: of Tola, the clan of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the clan of the Punites; of Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites." — This verse, though seemingly just a list of names, reveals God's meticulous care for His people. He's not just counting heads for a census, but specifically noting the lineage and familial lines, dem…
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Last reviewed October 2026
