Judges 10 1

Judges 10:1 kjv

And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

Judges 10:1 nkjv

After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in the mountains of Ephraim.

Judges 10:1 niv

After the time of Abimelek, a man of Issachar named Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim.

Judges 10:1 esv

After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.

Judges 10:1 nlt

After Abimelech died, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, was the next person to rescue Israel. He was from the tribe of Issachar but lived in the town of Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.

Judges 10 verses

Judges 10 1 Meaning

Judges 10:1 marks a transition from the chaotic, illegitimate reign of Abimelech to a period where God again raised up a judge for Israel. Tola, from the tribe of Issachar, assumed the role of saving or delivering Israel, indicating God's continued covenant faithfulness in providing leaders, even after periods of significant apostasy and internal strife. His location in the hill country of Ephraim signifies his role extended beyond his own tribal territory.

Judges 10 1 Context

Judges 10:1 immediately follows the account of Abimelech, Gideon's ambitious son, who brutally murdered his seventy brothers and set himself up as king in Shechem (Judges 9). Abimelech's reign was characterized by treachery, civil strife, and divine judgment, ending in his ignominious death. This verse signifies a return to God's ordained pattern for leading Israel: the raising up of judges or deliverers, rather than self-appointed rulers. Tola's arrival introduces a period often termed one of the "minor judges," characterized by a concise narrative focusing primarily on his name, lineage, tribe, period of service, and burial, suggesting a more administrative or judicial role in bringing stability, rather than grand military exploits like earlier judges. It provides a measure of peace after the instability wrought by Abimelech.

Judges 10 1 Word analysis

• After Abimelech died: This phrase ('Aḥărê 'Abîmeleḵ wayyāmot) strongly signals the end of a violent and illegitimate attempt at monarchy (Judges 9). It emphasizes the consequences of man's self-rule apart from God's direction, and sets the stage for God's redemptive work to continue despite human failure. This is divine retribution for Abimelech's pride and cruelty.
• Tola: (תּוֹלָע, Tôlāʿ). The name likely means "worm" or "scarlet worm" (used to make a dye, as in tola'at shani). This might suggest humility or a subtle origin, contrasting with the high-flying ambition of Abimelech.
• son of Puah: (פּוּאָה, Pû'āh). Puah means "mouth" or "shout." This forms part of Tola's distinguished lineage, connecting him to previous generations, signaling legitimacy and perhaps a reputable family within Issachar.
• the son of Dodo: (דּוֹדוֹ, Dôdô). Dodo means "beloved" or "his beloved." Further tracing his lineage emphasizes that Tola was not an isolated figure but connected to a recognized family tree. The recurrence of these specific ancestral names is significant in establishing tribal and familial identity in ancient Israel.
• a man of Issachar: (אִישׁ יִשָּׂשׂכָר, 'îsh Yissāśḵār). Identifies his tribal affiliation. Issachar, though not as dominant as Judah or Ephraim, was known for understanding times and wisdom (1 Chr 12:32). This humble tribe now provides a judge, contrasting with the prominence of Manasseh in Abimelech's case.
• rose to save Israel: (wayyaqom lehôshîaʿ 'et-Yisrā'ēl).
  • rose (wayyaqom): "And he arose/stood up." This verb signifies taking action and assuming a position of leadership, often with divine impetus, rather than self-appointment. It implies a divinely appointed moment for his intervention.
  • to save (lehôshîaʿ): "to deliver, to help, to save." This is the core purpose of a judge. It refers to military deliverance from oppression and establishing justice and order. This term highlights God's initiative in providing a deliverer through this human agent, restoring stability after Abimelech's destruction. This is distinct from military victories; it often includes legal, political, and social order.
  • Israel: The entire nation, not just a specific tribe or region, indicating a broader, national role as judge.
• He lived in Shamir: (wayyēshev beShāmîr). "He dwelt/sat." Shamir was a town in the hill country. Its specific location indicates the geographic base of Tola's leadership. Its identification as a place suggests a degree of stability and fixed presence for his judgeship.
• in the hill country of Ephraim: (behar 'Ephrayim). While Tola was of Issachar, his residence in Ephraim is significant. Ephraim was a powerful central tribe. This indicates Tola’s authority or influence extended beyond his own tribal territory and possibly points to the traditional judicial or administrative centers where major leaders might reside, offering a neutral and accessible location for a pan-Israelite judge.

Judges 10 1 Bonus section

The Judges period often sees deliverers emerge from various tribes, yet a Judge like Tola from Issachar residing in Ephraim could suggest a diplomatic or strategically chosen base, indicating national rather than just tribal leadership. Tola is categorized as one of the "Minor Judges" (along with Jair, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon). Their narratives are notably shorter compared to "Major Judges" like Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. This brevity may indicate that their judgeships were periods of internal stability and administrative justice, rather than major military conflicts against external oppressors. This quieter period of governance was still vital in sustaining Israel during challenging times. His reign of 23 years, mentioned in the following verse, implies a sustained period of peace and order under his leadership.

Judges 10 1 Commentary

Judges 10:1 serves as a calm after the storm of Abimelech’s ruthless, self-appointed kingship. The precise detail of Tola's lineage—son of Puah, son of Dodo—from the tribe of Issachar, establishes his legitimacy and contrast with Abimelech, whose identity was founded on fratricide and ambition rather than ancestral renown or divine appointment. The phrase "rose to save Israel" signifies God's consistent intervention and mercy. Unlike previous judges who performed dramatic military feats, Tola's brief narrative suggests a quieter, yet essential, role in administering justice and providing stable leadership. His residence in Ephraim, despite being from Issachar, suggests his authority was recognized beyond tribal boundaries, offering central judicial administration and healing from the national fragmentation caused by Abimelech's rebellion. This short verse highlights God’s faithfulness in providing rest and restoration even when human leadership has utterly failed.