Who was Azzan in the Bible?

Azzan was a man from the tribe of Issachar, known only as the father of Paltiel. His son Paltiel was a tribal leader chosen by God to help divide the land of Canaan among the Israelites (Numbers 34:26).

Why is Azzan mentioned in the Bible?

Azzan is mentioned to establish the lineage and credibility of his son, Paltiel. His inclusion shows that the leaders appointed for the important task of dividing the Promised Land came from recognized families within their tribes.

What can we learn from Azzan's story?

While Azzan himself isn't a major actor, his brief mention teaches that God often works through ordinary families. His legacy was fulfilled through his son's faithful service in a pivotal moment in Israel's history (Joshua 19:17-23).

Azzan

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeaderFather

Azzan was the father of Paltiel, a leader from Issachar chosen to help divide Canaan.

Azzan

Biography

Azzan was a leader from the tribe of Issachar during Israel's wilderness period, known primarily as the father of Paltiel (Numbers 34:26). When Moses received the divine instruction to appoint tribal representatives to oversee the division of the promised land among the tribes, one leader from each tribe was designated. Paltiel son of Azzan was Issachar's representative in this sacred commission. Though Azzan himself did not hold this formal role, his son's appointment to such a significant task reflects the family's standing within the tribe. The distribution of Canaan was understood as a fulfillment of God's covenantal promise to Abraham, and the leaders chosen to oversee it, including Paltiel who bore Azzan's legacy, were entrusted with one of Israel's most consequential administrative responsibilities.

Significance

Azzan's significance lies in the honor passed through his lineage to his son Paltiel, chosen as Issachar's representative in the landmark land allotment process described in Numbers 34. The appointment of tribal leaders to divide Canaan was not merely an administrative exercise but a theological event, the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21). By fathering a son worthy of this responsibility, Azzan contributed to the realization of God's covenant promise. His story reflects the biblical truth that faithful parenthood, raising children of integrity and leadership capability, is itself a form of covenant faithfulness that reverberates across generations and participates in the advancement of God's redemptive purposes for his people.

Verse Appearances (1)

Numbers

Numbers 34:26

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]

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