Lexical Summary Tolai: Tolaites Original Word: תּוֹלָעִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tola Patronymically from Towla'; a Tolaite (collectively) or descendants of Tola -- Tolaites. see HEBREW Towla' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Tola Definition desc. of Tola NASB Translation Tolaites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שְׁפַתַּ֫ים see below תּוֺלָיִ adjective, of a people of foregoing; with article as collective noun Numbers 26:23. Topical Lexicon Identity within the Tribal Family of Israel Tola’i designates the clan that descended from Tola, firstborn of Issachar (Genesis 46:13). In the wilderness census on the plains of Moab the family is singled out: “The descendants of Issachar by their clans were: through Tola, the Tolaite clan” (Numbers 26:23). Although only one explicit occurrence of the clan-name appears, the underlying family line is traced through Genesis 46 and 1 Chronicles 7, where the sons of Tola are listed, confirming the continuity of the house from the patriarchal sojourn in Egypt to the settlement in Canaan. Role in the Second Wilderness Census Numbers 26 records the second numbering of Israel, taken near the close of the forty-year journey. The census had two principal purposes: Within this context the Tolaite clan stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness in preserving even the smallest family through judgment and wandering. Not a single clan of Issachar perished, and the tribe’s total grew from 54,400 (Numbers 1:29) to 64,300 (Numbers 26:25). The increase underscores divine blessing and the success of Issachar’s families—Tola’i included—in raising the next generation amid trial. Historical Connections and Leadership Issachar’s placement on the eastern side of the camp, marching under Judah’s banner (Numbers 2:5-7), meant that the Tolaite families moved and warred closest to the Messianic tribe. Centuries later a fellow Issacharite named Tola rose as a judge “to save Israel” (Judges 10:1). Although the judge is not explicitly called a Tolaite, the shared patriarchal name suggests that leadership and valor were longstanding characteristics of this family branch. Spiritual and Theological Significance 1. Covenant Memory: The specific mention of Tola’i in Scripture affirms that God knows every household within His covenant people (2 Timothy 2:19). Ministry Applications • Valuing Every Member: The single citation of Tola’i teaches pastors and congregations that the smallest, least-noticed group matters to God’s redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 12:22-24). Summary Though mentioned but once, תּוֹלָעִי encapsulates the themes of covenant continuity, meticulous divine care, and generational faithfulness. The clan’s quiet presence in the inspired record assures the Church that God weaves every family thread, however obscure, into the tapestry of His unfolding salvation history. Forms and Transliterations הַתּוֹלָעִ֑י התולעי hat·tō·w·lā·‘î hattolaI hattōwlā‘îLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:23 HEB: תּוֹלָ֕ע מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַתּוֹלָעִ֑י לְפֻוָ֕ה מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת NAS: the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, KJV: the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, INT: Tola the family of the Tolaites of Puvah the family 1 Occurrence |
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