from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph; from the tribe of IssacharThe tribe of Issachar is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Issachar, the fifth son of Jacob and Leah. The name "Issachar" in Hebrew is "יִשָּׂשכָר" (Yissakhar), which is often interpreted to mean "there is recompense" or "reward." Historically, the tribe of Issachar was known for its wisdom and understanding of the times, as noted in 1 Chronicles 12:32. This characteristic is significant in the context of the spies sent to explore Canaan, as discernment and insight would be crucial for assessing the land. The tribe's territory, located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, was agriculturally rich, symbolizing abundance and blessing, which aligns with the hopeful promise of the land God was giving to Israel. Igal
The name "Igal" in Hebrew is "יִגְאָל" (Yigal), meaning "He redeems" or "God redeems." This name reflects a theological theme central to the narrative of the Israelites: redemption. As one of the twelve spies, Igal's role was to witness the land that God had promised to redeem for His people. The act of sending spies itself is a step in the process of redemption, as God is leading His people from the bondage of Egypt to the freedom and promise of Canaan. Igal's name serves as a reminder of God's ongoing work of redemption and His faithfulness to His promises. son of Joseph
The phrase "son of Joseph" indicates Igal's lineage, connecting him to the patriarch Joseph, one of Jacob's sons who played a crucial role in the history of Israel. Joseph's account is one of providence, suffering, and eventual exaltation, mirroring the larger narrative of Israel's journey. The mention of Joseph here may evoke the memory of God's faithfulness in past generations, encouraging the Israelites to trust in His promises as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Joseph's legacy is one of leadership and faith, qualities that would be essential for the task of exploring and eventually conquering Canaan. This lineage underscores the continuity of God's covenantal relationship with His people, from the patriarchs to the present generation. Persons / Places / Events 1. IgalA representative from the tribe of Issachar, chosen to spy out the land of Canaan. His name means "He redeems" or "He avenges" in Hebrew, reflecting a sense of divine justice or redemption. 2. IssacharOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's son Issachar. Known for their agricultural prowess and wisdom, the tribe played a significant role in the history of Israel. 3. JosephThe father of Igal, not to be confused with the more famous Joseph, son of Jacob. This Joseph is a lesser-known figure, but his lineage is significant as it connects Igal to the tribe of Issachar. 4. CanaanThe land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the destination of the Israelite spies, including Igal, who were sent to assess its potential for conquest and settlement. 5. Spying MissionThe event where Moses sent twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore Canaan and report back on its conditions, inhabitants, and resources. This mission was pivotal in the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. Teaching Points Faithful RepresentationIgal's role as a representative of Issachar reminds us of the importance of faithfully representing our communities and families in our actions and decisions. Trust in God's PromisesThe mission to spy out Canaan underscores the need to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting or uncertain. Wisdom and DiscernmentLike the men of Issachar, we are called to seek wisdom and discernment in understanding the times and making decisions that align with God's will. Courage in LeadershipIgal's participation in the spying mission highlights the courage required in leadership, especially when facing unknown challenges. Community and IdentityOur identity in Christ and our community of faith should guide our actions and decisions, just as Igal's identity as a member of Issachar influenced his role. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Igal's role as a spy from the tribe of Issachar reflect the characteristics and responsibilities of his tribe as described in Genesis 49:14-15? 2. In what ways can we, like Igal, faithfully represent our communities and families in our daily lives? 3. How does the mission to spy out Canaan challenge us to trust in God's promises, even when we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles? 4. What can we learn from the men of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32 about understanding the times and making wise decisions? 5. How does our identity in Christ influence our actions and decisions, similar to how Igal's identity as a member of Issachar influenced his role in the spying mission? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 49:14-15Jacob's blessing to Issachar, describing the tribe's future role and character, provides context for understanding the tribe's identity and Igal's mission. Joshua 19:17-23Details the allotment of land to the tribe of Issachar, showing the fulfillment of God's promises and the tribe's eventual settlement in Canaan. 1 Chronicles 12:32Highlights the men of Issachar as those who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, emphasizing their wisdom and strategic importance. People Aaron, Ahiman, Amalek, Amalekites, Ammiel, Amorites, Anak, Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Eshcol, Gad, Gaddi, Gaddiel, Gemalli, Geuel, Hittites, Hori, Hoshea, Igal, Israelites, Issachar, Jebusites, Jehoshua, Jephunneh, Joseph, Joshua, Machi, Manasseh, Michael, Moses, Nahbi, Naphtali, Nun, Oshea, Palti, Raphu, Rehob, Reuben, Sethur, Shammua, Shaphat, Sheshai, Simeon, Sodi, Susi, Talmai, Vophsi, Zaccur, ZebulunPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Hebron, Kadesh-barnea, Lebo-hamath, Negeb, Paran, Rehob, Sinai, Valley of Eshcol, Wilderness of Paran, Zin, ZoanTopics Igal, Issachar, Is'sachar, Joseph, TribeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:1-20 5552 spies Library Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Hebron
From Jericho we proceed to Hebron, far off in situation, but next to it in dignity: yea, there was a time, when it went before Jerusalem itself in name and honour;--namely, while the first foundations of the kingdom of David were laid; and, at that time, Jericho was buried in rubbish, and Jerusalem was trampled upon by the profane feet of the Jebusites. Hebron was placed, as in the mountainous country of Judea, so in a place very rocky, but yet in a very fruitful coast. "There is no place, in all …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Unfulfilled Desire
'... Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!'--NUM. xxiii. 10. '... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'--NUM. xiii. 8. Ponder these two pictures. Take the first scene. A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river, there spread the tents of Israel. He sees them, and knows that they are 'a people whom the Lord hath blessed.' Brought there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Epistle xvii. To Felix, Bishop of Messana.
To Felix, Bishop of Messana. To our most reverend brother, the Bishop Felix, Gregory, servant of the servants of God [246] . Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cling that, since without Him we can do nothing, through Him we may be enabled to be what we are called. From the citadel of the Head let nothing divide us, lest, if we refuse to be His members, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 13:7 NIVNumbers 13:7 NLTNumbers 13:7 ESVNumbers 13:7 NASBNumbers 13:7 KJV
Numbers 13:7 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
