God keeps His promises through every person in His plan.
Genesis 46:13 records part of the lineage of Jacob’s family as they prepare to enter Egypt. In this verse, we read: “And the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron.” (v.13) Issachar, the fifth son of Jacob and Leah, lived during the patriarchal period around the 19th century BC. As part of Jacob’s household, these four sons—Tola, Puvvah, Iob, and Shimron—would become the founding fathers of their own clans, later recognized among the tribes of Israel. This familial detail underscores how each tribe had specific lineages, reinforcing the idea near the end of Genesis that God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants was taking shape (Genesis 22:17).
The mention of “Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron” (v.13) highlights the careful record-keeping of the Hebrew people. Each individual name gives a glimpse into the growing family that would eventually become part of the nation of Israel, living near or in the region of Canaan before transitioning to Egypt. Although the verse does not specifically name a location, the context of Genesis 46 places Jacob and his descendants on the verge of leaving Canaan—an area situated in the eastern Mediterranean region—for Egypt. By moving to Egypt, they set the stage for the future events of the Exodus. This move also serves as a backdrop for God’s overarching plan that would be fulfilled most completely in Jesus Christ, who was from the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:2-3), though Issachar’s line similarly continued God’s covenant promise to multiply and bless Israel.
In “And the sons of Issachar” (v.13), we also see a reminder that God’s promises transcend generations, evident in how each of Jacob’s children carried forward the legacy of faith and covenant. While not everyone here is as prominent as Joseph or Judah, these lesser-known names highlight the breadth of the family that God was growing for His redemptive purposes. The text reminds us that every part of the lineage holds meaning in the larger biblical story, pointing toward a future in which each tribal identity and inheritance would be solidified in the Promised Land (Joshua 19:17-23).
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Genesis 46:13 meaning
Genesis 46:13 records part of the lineage of Jacob’s family as they prepare to enter Egypt. In this verse, we read: “And the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron.” (v.13) Issachar, the fifth son of Jacob and Leah, lived during the patriarchal period around the 19th century BC. As part of Jacob’s household, these four sons—Tola, Puvvah, Iob, and Shimron—would become the founding fathers of their own clans, later recognized among the tribes of Israel. This familial detail underscores how each tribe had specific lineages, reinforcing the idea near the end of Genesis that God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants was taking shape (Genesis 22:17).
The mention of “Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron” (v.13) highlights the careful record-keeping of the Hebrew people. Each individual name gives a glimpse into the growing family that would eventually become part of the nation of Israel, living near or in the region of Canaan before transitioning to Egypt. Although the verse does not specifically name a location, the context of Genesis 46 places Jacob and his descendants on the verge of leaving Canaan—an area situated in the eastern Mediterranean region—for Egypt. By moving to Egypt, they set the stage for the future events of the Exodus. This move also serves as a backdrop for God’s overarching plan that would be fulfilled most completely in Jesus Christ, who was from the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:2-3), though Issachar’s line similarly continued God’s covenant promise to multiply and bless Israel.
In “And the sons of Issachar” (v.13), we also see a reminder that God’s promises transcend generations, evident in how each of Jacob’s children carried forward the legacy of faith and covenant. While not everyone here is as prominent as Joseph or Judah, these lesser-known names highlight the breadth of the family that God was growing for His redemptive purposes. The text reminds us that every part of the lineage holds meaning in the larger biblical story, pointing toward a future in which each tribal identity and inheritance would be solidified in the Promised Land (Joshua 19:17-23).