תּוֹלָע (to.la)
to.la
Tola
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Tola appears in the Hebrew Bible as both an early patriarch and a later judge, yet it carries a strikingly humble meaning: "worm." In Genesis 46:13, Tola is listed as the firstborn son of Issachar, establishing him as the progenitor of a family line that would later produce significant leaders. This genealogical record anchors his identity in the foundational history of Israel’s tribes.
Centuries later, the name reappears in Judges 10:1, where Tola, a descendant of Puah, serves as one of Israel’s early judges. His story is brief but notable; he delivered Israel for twenty-three years and was buried in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim. The repetition of this uncommon name across generations suggests a lasting legacy within the tribe of Issachar.
The etymology of Tola, meaning "worm," contrasts sharply with the grandeur often associated with leadership titles. In biblical imagery, worms can symbolize fragility or lowliness, yet here it marks a lineage that provided stability during turbulent times. This juxtaposition highlights how ordinary names could carry profound historical weight in ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tola means "worm," a humble image that stands in contrast to the grand titles often associated with leadership. In Genesis, it marks the beginning of a family line within the tribe of Issachar, anchoring their identity in the foundational history of Israel. Later, a descendant named Tola served as a judge, delivering his people for twenty-three years. This progression from a simple genealogical entry to a role of national deliverance shows how God uses ordinary beginnings for significant purposes.
For your faith, this word reminds us that our value does not depend on the grandeur of our names or status. Even those who seem small or insignificant in the eyes of the world can be instruments of stability and salvation. The legacy of Tola encourages you to trust that God sees and uses every part of your life, no matter how humble it may seem. Your contributions, however quiet, are woven into a larger story of faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tola5×
- of/ Tola1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תּוֹלָ֧ע2×
- תוֹלָ֗ע1×
- תּוֹלָ֥ע1×
- תּוֹלָ֕ע1×
- לְ/תוֹלָ֔ע1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 10:1
After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
This verse highlights the transition from a name meaning "worm" to a leader who actively saved Israel, showing how God elevates the humble.
-
Genesis 46:13
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Iob, and Shimron.
As the firstborn son of Issachar, Tola’s inclusion here establishes the lineage that would later produce this judge, linking family history to divine purpose.
-
I Chronicles 7:2
The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their generations. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.
This passage lists Tola’s descendants as "mighty men of valor," demonstrating how a humble name can lead to a legacy of strength and influence.