After Abimelech there arose to deliver Israel Tola is literally “And he rose after Abimelech to save Israel Tola.” The Hebrew waw conjunction at the beginning of this verse is omitted by Revised Standard Version, but can also be rendered by a transition word. After Abimelech, which means “After Abimelech died” (verse 9.54-55), introduces the next judge, Tola (see Good News Translation). Arose renders the key Hebrew verb qum, which introduces most heroes (see comments on verse 2.10). Revised English Bible says “came forward,” and Good News Translation has “came.” As with all the judges, whether major or minor, Tola came to deliver Israel (see verse 3.9). Translators should keep the same key terms when describing each judge. However, here there is no mention of the enemies who threatened Israel at this time. Though Tola came from the region of Issachar, and probably only led people in that region, the book of Judges usually credits each hero with delivering Israel, which may be rendered “the people of Israel” or “the Israelites.” Contemporary English Version says “Tola was the next person to rescue Israel.”
The son of Puah, son of Dodo: The father of Tola was Puah, and his grandfather was Dodo. Translators need to use a standard pattern to present the genealogy of each judge throughout this book, according to the patterns used in their language. Some will follow the Hebrew, while others may say “the son of Puah and grandson of Dodo” (Good News Translation). Tola and Puah are mentioned as descendants of Issachar in the Pentateuch (Gen 46.13; Num 26.23), so these names may be names of clans as well as individuals.
A man of Issachar means Tola was from the tribe of Issachar. For Issachar see verse 5.15. This phrase may be rendered “came/was from the tribe of Issachar” (Good News Translation) or “was a descendant of Issachar.”
And he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim: The town of Shamir has been linked with the town of Samaria, but this is not certain. This place name forms an inclusio around 10.1-2. For the hill country of Ephraim, see verse 2.9. Though Tola came from the tribe of Issachar, he apparently lived in the mountainous area belonging to the tribe of Ephraim.
Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .