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.
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.
- BSB From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.
- 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 5:17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
- Esth 1:13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
- Luke 12:56–57Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
- Prov 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
- Isa 33:6And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
- Matt 16:3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
- Eccl 7:19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
- Isa 22:12–14And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
- Gen 49:14Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
- Prov 24:5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
- Eccl 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- Mic 6:9The LORD’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed 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
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