I Chronicles 7:1-5 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 7:1-5 Commentary: Issachar's Mighty Men
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study of 1 Chronicles 7:1-5: genealogy of Issachar, variations in names, military census, and God's blessing of strength and numbers.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The genealogy and military census of Issachar, showing God's blessing of strength and numbers despite humble origins.
- Key words: gibbor chayil (mighty men of valor); toledot (generations); hit’yahhas (to be enrolled genealogically).
- Main debate: Whether the census source is David’s sinful census (2 Samuel 24) or another record; also the variation of names (Puah vs Puvah, Jashub vs Iob).
- Theological theme: God’s covenant faithfulness to multiply Abraham’s seed, even through flawed human practices like polygamy.
- Best use: Preaching on God’s blessing of fruitfulness, the value of every person, and the importance of spiritual heritage.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four in all.
2The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, the heads of their families. In the days of David, 22,600 descendants of Tola were numbered in their genealogies as mighty men of valor.
3The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah:
4Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. All five of them were chiefs. In addition to them, according to their genealogy, they had 36,000 troops for battle, for they had many wives and children.
5Their kinsmen belonging to all the families of Issachar who were mighty men of valor totaled 87,000, as listed in their genealogies.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1Of the sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
2The 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.
3The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah, five; all of them chief men.
4With them, by their generations, after their fathers’ houses, were bands of the army for war, thirty-six thousand; for they had many wives and sons.
5Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, listed in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.
KJV King James Version 1769
1Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
2And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
3And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
4And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
5And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1And of the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
2And the sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, to wit, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their generations: their number in the days of David was two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
3And the sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah. And the sons of Izrahiah: Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Isshiah, five; all of them chief men.
4And with them, by their generations, after their fathers’ houses, were bands of the host for war, six and thirty thousand; for they had many wives and sons.
5And their brethren among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, were fourscore and seven thousand.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And sons of Issachar; Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
2And sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of the house of their fathers, even of Tola, mighty of valour in their generations: their number in the days of David is twenty and two thousand and six hundred.
3And sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah; and sons of Izrahiah: Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, Hamishah--all of them heads.
4And beside them, by their generations, of the house of their fathers, are troops of the host of battle, thirty and six thousand, for they multiplied wives and sons;
5and their brethren of all the families of Issachar are mighty of valour, eighty and seven thousand, all have their genealogy.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And the sons of Issachar were Tola and Puah, Jashub and Shimron, four.
2And the sons of Tola: Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Samuel, heads of their fathers' houses, of Tola, valiant men of might in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.
3And the sons of Uzzi: Jizrahiah; and the sons of Jizrahiah: Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, [and] Jishijah, five; all of them chief men.
4And with them by their generations, according to their fathers' houses, were military bands for war, thirty-six thousand; for they had many wives and sons.
5And their brethren among all the families of Issachar valiant men of might, registered by genealogy, in all eighty-seven thousand.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1Now the sons of Issachar were Thola, and Phua, Jasub and Simeron, four.
2The sons of Thola: Ozi and Raphaia, and Jeriel, and Jemai, and Jebsem, and Samuel, chiefs of the houses of their kindreds. Of the posterity of Thola were numbered in the days of David, two and twenty thousand six hundred most valiant men.
3The sons of Ozi: Izrahia, of whom were born Michael, and Obadia, and Joel, and Jesia, five all great men.
4And there were with them by their families and peoples, six and thirty thousand most valiant men ready for war: for they had many wives and children.
5Their brethren also throughout all the house of Issachar, were numbered fourscore and seven thousand most valiant men for war.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 7:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that 1 Chronicles 7:1-5 preserves a genealogical and military census of the tribe of Issachar, likely drawn from David's reign (Barnes, Clarke). The four sons listed in verse 1, Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, correspond to Numbers 26:23-24, though Genesis 46:13 gives the second son as Puvah and the third as Iob. Gill and Keil & Delitzsch note these are the same names with spelling variations or alternate traditions. The passage emphasizes that Issachar's descendants were “mighty men of valor,” a phrase gibbor chayil describing warriors of proven strength (Cambridge). The large numbers, 22,600 from Tola, 36,000 from Izrahiah's line, and 87,000 total, are explained by the clause “for they had many wives and sons” (v.4). This polygamy, though exceptional, is seen as the means by which God multiplied Abraham's seed (Gill). The overall point is that God blessed Issachar with military power and numerous offspring, fulfilling promises to the patriarchs.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The passage records the genealogy and military census of Issachar, showing God's blessing of numerical and military strength, with the name variations across Old Testament genealogies being a minor, well-recognized phenomenon.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Source of the census numbers | The numbers date from the time of David, as stated in verse 2. | Clarke and Barnes link them to David's prohibited census (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21), while Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note that Benjamin is listed here but not in David's census, suggesting a different official registry. |
| Name variations (Puah/Puvah, Jashub/Iob) | The four sons of Issachar are the same individuals across genealogies. | Some see scribal variation or phonetic change over time; Gill and Keil & Delitzsch treat them as alternative spellings. A few commentators (e.g., on the Syriac) suggest textual corruption. |
| Polygamy as a cause for the numbers | The text itself says 'they had many wives and sons' (v.4) as an explanation. | Gill sees it positively, as multiplication of Abraham's seed; others note that the Chronicler simply records the fact without moral evaluation. Modern readers differ on whether the passage endorses polygamy or describes it neutrally. |
| Identity of the fifth 'chief man' in verse 3 | The text says 'five: all of them chief men' but lists only Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah (four names). | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown and Clarke suggest that Izrahiah himself is counted as the fifth; the Syriac and Arabic read 'four' instead. There is no consensus on whether the Hebrew text originally had a fifth name that dropped out. |
Historical & Cultural Context
1 Chronicles was compiled after the Babylonian exile, likely in the late 5th or 4th century BC, to remind a returning community of their tribal heritage and God's faithfulness. The genealogies draw on earlier sources, including census records from David's time (10th century BC). Barnes and Clarke suggest the numbers here may come from the census that David ordered in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, though Jamieson-Fausset-Brown argue it may be a different census, since Benjamin is also enumerated here but was not part of David's count. Keil & Delitzsch treat the statement “their number in the days of David” as a reliable historical note.
Issachar's territory was in the fertile Jezreel Valley (Joshua 19:17-23). The tribe had a reputation for agricultural wisdom and military service (1 Chronicles 12:32 speaks of “men of Issachar who had understanding of the times”). The large numbers of fighting men listed here, 87,000 in total, reflect the tribe's strength and blessing. The phrase “mighty men of valor” is a standard designation for elite warriors throughout Chronicles.
Polygamy was practiced in ancient Israel, especially among leaders and wealthy families, though it was not the norm for all. The Chronicler notes it matter-of-factly as the reason for the high birth rate. For the post-exilic audience, these numbers would have been a point of pride and hope, showing that God had not abandoned his people but had multiplied them in the past. The careful listing of names and clans also served to validate land claims and priestly service (1 Chronicles 9:1). By tying Issachar's strength to the reign of David, the Chronicler subtly links the tribe to the golden age of Israel's united monarchy, a time many hoped to see again.
Textual Notes
The main textual issue in these verses is the count in verse 3: the Hebrew states “five” but lists only four names (Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah). The Syriac and Arabic versions read “four” instead, as Clarke notes. Most commentators, including Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, hold that Izrahiah himself is the fifth “chief man.” No other significant variants are reported in the consulted sources. The variation in names across parallel passages (Genesis 46:13, Numbers 26:23-24) is treated as phonetic or scribal variation rather than a textual error in this chapter.
Reception History
Early Jewish and Christian interpreters generally read these genealogies as literal history, confirming God’s faithfulness to the tribes. In the patristic era, the names were sometimes allegorized (e.g., Tola meaning “worm” was linked to Christ’s humility in Psalm 22:6). Medieval commentators like Rashi focused on the link between Issachar and Torah study (based on 1 Chronicles 12:32). Reformation commentators, including Matthew Henry (1710), saw the passage as a practical lesson in family blessing and the value of record-keeping. Modern scholarship, following the historical-critical method, treats the census numbers as composite or idealized but still rooted in tradition. Across eras, the passage has been used to affirm that God honors small beginnings and multiplies those who trust Him.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God blesses small beginnings. Issachar had only four sons, yet their descendants became a great tribe. Tola's name means “worm”, unpromising origins (Gill). But God multiplied them.
- Strength comes from family faithfulness. The phrase “heads of their fathers’ houses” (v.2) shows that leadership was rooted in clans that honored generations. Strong families build strong tribes.
- Numbers are not the point, blessing is. The huge totals (22,600, 36,000, 87,000) are reported without boastfulness. The Chronicler simply credits God: “for they had many wives and sons.” Fruitfulness is a gift.
Five-point outline
- The names that matter are the ones God remembers. (v.1, each son is named, even the obscure.)
- Genealogy is theology. Every name tells a story of God’s covenant keeping through centuries.
- Valour is ordinary faith made visible. “Mighty men” were not superhuman; they were men who showed up for God’s people.
- Large families are a gift, not a strategy. The text records polygamy without endorsing it, it simply explains the numbers.
- Our identity is corporate. Issachar’s strength was “their brethren among all the families” (v.5). We belong to each other.
Illustration hooks
- Tola’s name. Picture a child named “Worm” being told his family would become thousands. God’s calling doesn’t depend on our self-image.
- Family dinner tables. Imagine the chaos of a home with many wives and many children. Yet that chaos produced warriors. God works through real life.
- Census rolls. Think of a church directory or school yearbook. Every name is a soul God loves. The Chronicler treats each name as precious.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why should I care about long lists of names? Because the Bible shows that God values every person, even those we might skip over.
- Does God bless big numbers? He blesses obedience, not size. The numbers are a result, not a goal.
- What does this say about family planning? The passage is descriptive, not prescriptive. It records their practice without commending it for all times. Seek wisdom for your own family.
Leading a Discussion
This passage looks like a dry list, but it pulses with life. The Chronicler is telling the returning exiles that God has not forgotten them, just as he remembered each clan of Issachar. As you work through these questions, think about what it means to be part of a people God delights to bless.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Chronicles 7:1-5 aloud. What stands out to you first? The names? The numbers? The phrase “mighty men of valor”?
- Compare this list with Genesis 46:13 and Numbers 26:23-24. Why do you think names vary? Does that trouble you? How do commentators explain it?
- The text says the Tola branch produced 22,600 warriors in David's day. What does that number tell you about God's faithfulness to a single family line (see also v.2)?
- In verse 4, the Chronicler explains large numbers by saying “they had many wives and sons.” How does your understanding of God’s blessing relate to family size? Is bigger always better?
- What does the term “mighty men of valor” mean in this context? Is it about military skill, or something deeper? Where else in Scripture do you see that phrase?
- Verse 5 says these men were “listed in all by genealogy.” Why might the Chronicler care so much about written records? What does that say about God’s attention to detail?
- In what ways does this passage encourage you about your own place in God's family, even if you feel insignificant like a “worm”?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 46:13 | The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Iob, and Shimron. |
| Numbers 26:23 | The sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites; |
| Numbers 26:24 | of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. |
| II Samuel 24:1 | Again Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, “Go, count Israel and Judah.” |
| II Samuel 24:9 | Joab gave up the sum of the counting of the people to the king; and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. |
| I Chronicles 21:1 | Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel. |
| I Chronicles 21:5 | Joab gave the sum of the census of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew a sword; and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword. |
| I Chronicles 27:1 | Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that this passage records a census of three tribes under David that appears nowhere else in Scripture, likely because the author only included what he found in existing public registers. He also points out a textual discrepancy in verse 3, where five sons are mentioned but only four names appear.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Whose number was in the days of David ... - The writer would seem by this passage to have had access to the statistics of the tribes collected by David, when he sinfully “numbered the people” (marginal reference). The numbers given in 1 Ch 7:4-5 probably came from the same source.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that the treatment of tribes in this chapter is uneven. Issachar, Benjamin, and Asher receive full genealogies with military counts, while Naphtali gets only one verse. Dan is entirely missing, likely due to a damaged text.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes highlight how God blessed Issachar with large families and many valiant warriors, showing His providence in raising up a strong fighting force for Israel. The repeated emphasis on their military numbers underscores that this tribe was equipped and ready for battle.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the irony that from Tola, whose name means "worm" and suggests a weak start, came a line of exceptionally valiant warriors. He also notes that the tribe of Issachar achieved its large numbers through polygamy, which was practiced for the sake of multiplying Abraham's promised seed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB points out that the tribe of Issachar's unusually large population in David's time came from polygamy, which was generally restricted to the wealthy but was widely embraced among them. He also notes that the Benjamin census listed here was not part of David's own census, showing this record draws from another source.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch argue that all the census figures for Issachar's families in this passage refer to the same period, David's reign, and likely come from his census. They dismiss the idea that the numbers for Izrahiah's line come from a later time, explaining the larger total by the fact that those chiefs had many wives and sons.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that these detailed