Tola
Tola, Son of Issachar
The first Tola in Scripture is one of the four sons of Issachar, Jacob's ninth son. He is listed among those who traveled with Jacob's family to Egypt during the great famine (Genesis 46:13). His descendants became known as the Tolaites, one of the recognized clans within the tribe of Issachar (Numbers 26:23). By the time of King David, Tola's descendants had grown into a formidable group numbering 22,600 "mighty men of valor" (1 Chronicles 7:1-2), showing how one family line could multiply into a significant military force over the centuries.
Tola the Judge
The second and more prominent Tola was a judge of Israel, the son of Puah, from the tribe of Issachar (Judges 10:1-2). He rose to lead Israel after the turbulent period of Abimelech, the self-appointed king whose reign ended in violence and destruction at Thebez. The text says Tola "arose to save Israel" (Judges 10:1), suggesting that his role involved delivering the nation from some form of oppression or restoring order after Abimelech's chaotic rule. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim, where he judged Israel for twenty-three years before his death and burial.
A Judge of Quiet Faithfulness
Tola belongs to a group of judges often called "minor judges" because the biblical text provides relatively brief accounts of their service. Unlike Gideon, Samson, or Deborah, Tola has no dramatic battle narrative or miraculous deliverance story. Yet his twenty-three years of leadership suggest a period of stability and peace in Israel. Sometimes the most important leaders are those who quietly maintain order and faithfulness rather than those who perform spectacular deeds. Tola's service followed one of Israel's darkest episodes and preceded the judgeship of Jair.
The Significance of the Name
The name Tola means "worm" or "scarlet stuff," likely referring to the crimson dye produced from a particular insect. Interestingly, Tola's father Puah also has a name associated with a color, meaning "madder" (a red dye plant). Both names appearing together in the genealogy of Issachar and again in the judges narrative has led scholars to suggest these were traditional ancestral names within the tribe, possibly connected to Issachar's association with the dyeing trade.
Tola's Legacy in Israel's Story
Though briefly mentioned, Tola's role in the book of Judges is significant. His placement immediately after Abimelech's failed kingship reinforces the book's theme that God raises up deliverers for His people in their time of need. The contrast between Abimelech's violent self-promotion and Tola's quiet, sustained leadership illustrates the difference between worldly ambition and faithful service. Tola's twenty-three years of stability remind readers that God's work often happens through steady, unglamorous faithfulness.
Biblical Context
Tola the patriarch appears in Genesis 46:13, Numbers 26:23, and 1 Chronicles 7:1-2 within the genealogies of Issachar. Tola the judge is recorded in Judges 10:1-2, positioned between Abimelech's reign of terror and Jair's judgeship. The brief account places him in the hill country of Ephraim, where he served as judge for twenty-three years.
Theological Significance
Tola's story teaches that God values faithful, quiet service as much as dramatic deliverance. His rise after Abimelech's catastrophic reign shows God's provision of restorative leadership. The book of Judges uses minor judges like Tola to show that God continually provided for Israel even during its recurring cycles of sin and repentance. Tola's long period of stability demonstrates that peace is itself a gift from God.
Historical Background
The period of the judges (roughly 1200-1020 BC) was characterized by decentralized tribal leadership. The hill country of Ephraim, where Tola lived, was a central region that served as a natural seat of authority. The dyeing industry suggested by the names Tola and Puah was significant in the ancient Near East, where crimson and scarlet dyes were valuable trade commodities. Issachar's tribal territory in the Jezreel Valley was agriculturally rich.