Tola (Hastings' Dictionary)
A minor judge, following Abimelech. His name is that of one of the chief clans of Issacliar ; see Gn 46■^ Nu 26=" ('y^inn, 6 TwXoel), 1 Ch 7"-, and art. PUAH. His home and burial-place were at Shamir, the seat of the clan, probably in the N. of the higlilands of Ephraim : the site is unknown. G. A. Cooke.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Tola
Tola to'-la (tola`, "worm" or "scarlet stuff"): ⇒See a list of verses on TOLA in the Bible. (1) One of the four sons of Issachar (Ge 46:13; 1Ch 7:1), mentioned among those who journeyed to Egypt with Jacob (Ge 46:8 f), and in the census taken by Moses and Eleazar, as father of the Tolaites (Nu 26:23) whose descendants in the reign of David included 22,600 "mighty men of valor" (1Ch 7:2). (2) One of the Judges, the son of Puah, a man of Isaachar. He dwelt in the hill country of Ephraim in the village of Shamir, where after judging Israel 23 years he was buried (Jg 10:1-2). In the order of succession he is placed between Abimelech and Jair. It is interesting to note that both Tola and Puah are names of colors, and that they occur together both in the case of the judge and in that of the sons of Isaachar. They may therefore be looked upon as popular typical or ancestral names of the Issachar tribe, although current critical theories seek an explanation in a confusion of texts. ⇒See the definition of tola in the KJV Dictionary Ella Davis Isaacs ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblica…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Tola
The first-born of Issachar and ancestor of the Tolaiters. (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23; 1 Chronicles 7:1,2) (B.C. about 1700.) Judge of Israel after Abimelech. (Judges 10:1,2) He is described as “the son of Puah the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar.” Tola judged Israel for twenty-three years at Shamir in Mount Ephraim, where he died and was buried. (B.C. 1206-1183.)
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Tola
1. Issachar's firstborn (Gen 46:13; Num 26:23; 1Ch 7:1-2). Ancestor of the Tolaites, 22,600 men of valor in David's time. 2. Next judge of Israel after Abimelech (Jdg 10:1). Son of Puah, of Issachar. Judged for 23 years at Shamir in Mount Ephraim; here he died and was buried.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia