From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.
Parallel translations
- WEB Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command.
- KJV And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
- NKJV of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;
- NASB From the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.
- NLT From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Issachar provided 200 leaders who 'understood the times' and knew what Israel ought to do. They represent wise, discerning leadership rather than mere military might.
Overview
The men of Issachar are famously praised for discernment, knowing both the times and the right course of action, with their kinsmen following their lead. Their value lay not in numbers but in wisdom to recognize that the hour for David's kingship had come. This verse commends godly discernment that reads providence rightly and acts accordingly, a virtue prized throughout Scripture.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Eph 5:17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
- Esth 1:13Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice.
- Luke 12:56–57You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?
- Prov 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
- Isa 33:6He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.
- Matt 16:3and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.
- Eccl 7:19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
- Isa 22:12–14On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
- Gen 49:14Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
- Prov 24:5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
- Eccl 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
- Mic 6:9The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 12:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.