Tola (biblical figure)

Tola
תּוֹלָע
Portrait of Tola from Epitome historico-chronologica (1751)
Predecessor	Abimelech
Successor	Jair

According to the Bible, Tola (Hebrew: תּוֹלָע, Modern: Tōlaʿ, Tiberian: Tōlāʿ‍) was one of the Judges of Israel. His career is summarised in Judges 10:1-2. He judged Israel for 23 years after Abimelech died. He lived at Shamir in Mount Ephraim, where he was also buried.

His name means "Crimson worm" or "scarlet stuff."^[1] The son of Puah and the grandson of Dodo from the tribe of Issachar, he had the same name as one of the sons of Issachar who migrated to Egypt with Jacob his grandfather in Genesis 46:13.

Of all the biblical judges, the least is written about Tola. None of his deeds are recorded. The entire account from Judges 10:1-2 (KJV) follows:

¹And 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.

²And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.