Numbers 34:26

And the Prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the sonne of Azzan. Numbers 34:26 (KJV)

Numbers 34:26 occurs within a broader passage in the book of Numbers that records God’s specific instructions to Moses concerning the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. The verse names Paltiel, the son of Azzan, as the prince or leader of the tribe of Issachar, indicating that he was the appointed representative for his tribe in the allocation process.

The book of Numbers primarily narrates the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness toward the land that God had promised to give them. In chapter 34, God commands Moses to select twelve men—one from each tribe—to serve as officials who would oversee the surveying and distribution of the territory. Each appointed prince would carry the responsibility of presenting his tribe’s interests and ensuring that the allotment was carried out with fairness and equity.

Issachar was one of the northern tribes, and its inheritance lay in the region of Canaan that bordered the territories of Zebulun and Manasseh. By naming Paltiel as the prince of Issachar, the text confirms his authority within the tribe and his role in the collective effort to settle the land. Although the verse itself provides only a brief identification, it underscores the meticulous nature of God’s plan: every tribe was to have a recognized leader who would participate in the orderly division of the land.

Overall, Numbers 34:26 serves as a reminder of the organized structure God established for the Israelites as they prepared to occupy their allotted portions of the Promised Land. It highlights the significance of each tribe’s appointed leader in the process of establishing a just and orderly settlement among the people of Israel.