Isshiah
Isshiah was a son of Izrahiah and a descendant of Issachar (1Ch.7.3).
Biography
Isshiah was a member of the tribe of Issachar, recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:3 as the son of Izrahiah and a descendant of the patriarch Issachar. The genealogical passage lists him alongside his brothers, Michael, Obadiah, and Joel, as leaders within the tribe during a period in which the Issacharites are noted for their great military strength: 1 Chronicles 7:4–5 records that the heads of their families could muster tens of thousands of troops for battle. Isshiah thus appears not merely as a private individual but as a clan chief whose household contributed to the military capacity of the tribe of Asher during the period of the Israelite monarchy.
Significance
Isshiah's brief mention in the Issacharian genealogy of 1 Chronicles 7 illustrates the Chronicler's comprehensive approach to preserving the identity of all twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Issachar, though rarely prominent in biblical narrative, held territorial significance in the fertile Jezreel Valley and was commended for wisdom and readiness (cf. 1 Chr. 12:32). Clan leaders like Isshiah helped sustain that heritage. His genealogical record reminds modern readers that biblical history is not composed only of famous heroes but of countless faithful individuals who maintained their families, discharged their responsibilities, and preserved the identity of God's covenant people across generations.
Verse Appearances (2)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]