Jeriel
Jeriel was one of the sons of Tola and a leader in the tribe of Issachar, as mentioned in the genealogy in 1 Chronicles.
Biography
Jeriel was a son of Tola, who was in turn the firstborn son of Issachar, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (1 Chronicles 7:2). The genealogical register in 1 Chronicles 7 identifies Jeriel among the heads of their fathers' houses within Issachar, men who in the days of David were counted as mighty warriors. Tola's descendants numbered 22,600 men of valor by the time of David's census, suggesting a thriving and militarily capable clan. Jeriel, as a named leader within this lineage, would have held administrative and possibly military responsibilities within the tribal structure of Issachar during the transition from the wilderness period through to the settlement of Canaan.
Significance
Jeriel's place in the genealogy of Issachar illustrates the biblical conviction that tribal identity and lineage serve a providential function. The tribe of Issachar was known in later tradition for wisdom and discernment, 1 Chronicles 12:32 praises the men of Issachar as those who understood the times. Jeriel, as a founding-generation leader within this tribe, stands at the root of a heritage of insight and godly leadership. His inclusion in Scripture, however brief, affirms that God's covenant with Israel encompassed entire family lines, not merely heroic individuals, weaving ordinary ancestors into the fabric of redemptive history.
Verse Appearances (1)
1 Chronicles
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]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]