Etymology and Meaning
The name Issachar is traditionally understood to mean "there is recompense" or "man of hire." This interpretation is derived from the Hebrew roots "nasa" (to lift, carry, or bear) and "sachar" (wages or reward). The name reflects the circumstances of his birth, as recorded in Genesis.

Biblical Narrative
Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob and the fifth son of Leah. His birth is recounted in Genesis 30:17-18: "And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob. Then Leah said, 'God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.' So she named him Issachar." Leah's statement highlights her belief that Issachar's birth was a divine reward for her actions.

Tribe of Issachar
Issachar became the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Issachar played a significant role in the history of Israel, particularly during the period of the Judges and the united monarchy. In the wilderness, the tribe was positioned with the camp of Judah, alongside Zebulun, as described in Numbers 2:5. This strategic placement underscores their importance within the Israelite community.

Territory
The territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar is detailed in Joshua 19:17-23. It was located in the fertile region of the Jezreel Valley, an area known for its agricultural productivity. This land allocation fulfilled Jacob's blessing over Issachar, where he is described as a "strong donkey lying down between the sheepfolds" (Genesis 49:14), suggesting a life of labor and prosperity.

Role and Characteristics
The tribe of Issachar is noted for its wisdom and understanding of the times. In 1 Chronicles 12:32, the men of Issachar are described as "men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do." This insight and discernment were crucial during the reign of King David, as they provided guidance and support in unifying the nation.

Prophetic Blessings
Jacob's blessing over Issachar in Genesis 49:14-15 portrays him as a strong and industrious figure, willing to bear burdens for the sake of rest and prosperity. Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33:18-19 further emphasizes Issachar's role in the community, highlighting their participation in religious festivals and their enjoyment of the abundance of the sea and treasures hidden in the sand.

Historical Significance
Throughout Israel's history, the tribe of Issachar maintained a reputation for wisdom and strategic insight. Their contributions to the nation's leadership and their agricultural prowess were significant in shaping the socio-economic landscape of ancient Israel.

Legacy
The legacy of Issachar endures in the biblical narrative as a symbol of reward, labor, and discernment. The tribe's ability to understand the times and act accordingly serves as an enduring example of wisdom and faithfulness in the service of God's people.Issachar

reward; recompense

Issachar

(reward). I. The ninth son of Jacob and the fifth of Leah. (Genesis 30:17,18) (B.C. 1753-45) At the descent into Egypt four sons are ascribed to him, who founded the four chief families of the tribes. (Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23,25; 1 Chronicles 7:1) The number of the fighting men of Issachar, when taken in the census at Sinai, was 54,400. During the journey they seem to have steadily increased. The allotment of Issachar lay above that of Manasseh. (Joshua 19:17-23) In the words of Josephus, "it extended in length from Carmel to the Jordan, in breadth to Mount Tabor." This territory was, as it still is, among the richest land in Palestine. It is this aspect of the territory of Issachar which appears to be alluded to in the blessing of Jacob.

1. A Korhite Levite, one of the door-keepers of the house of Jehovah, seventh son of Obed-edom. (1 Chronicles 26:5)

Issachar

Recompense, so named by Leah his mother, Genesis 30:18, the ninth son of Jacob, born B. C. 1749. The character of his posterity was foretold by Jacob and by Moses, Genesis 49:14,15 De 33:18,19.

The TRIBE OF ISSACHAR numbered fifty-four thousand men in the desert, and on entering Canaan was the third in population, Numbers 1:28 26:25. Their portion, having the Jordan on the east, Manasseh on the west, Zebulun north, and Ephraim south, included a considerable part of the fine plain Esdraelon, the most fertile in the country. They were industrious agriculturists, and are mentioned with honor for their brave and wise patriotism, Jud 5:15 1 Chronicles 7:15 12:32.

Hired (Genesis 30:18). "God hath given me," said Leah, "my hire (Hebrews sekhari)...and she called his name Issachar." He was Jacob's ninth son, and was born in Padan-aram (Comp. 28:2). He had four sons at the going down into Egypt (46:13; Numbers 26:23, 25).

Issachar, Tribe of, during the journey through the wilderness, along with Judah and Zebulun (Numbers 2:5), marched on the east of the tabernacle. This tribe contained 54,400 fighting men when the census was taken at Sinai. After the entrance into the Promised Land, this tribe was one of the six which stood on Gerizim during the ceremony of the blessing and cursing (Deuteronomy 27:12). The allotment of Issachar is described in Joshua 19:17-23. It included the plain of Esdraelon (=Jezreel), which was and still is the richest portion of Palestine (Deuteronomy 33:18, 19; 1 Chronicles 12:40).

The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob on Issachar corresponds with that of Moses (Genesis 49:14, 15; Comp. Deuteronomy 33:18, 19).

ISSACHAR

is'-a-kar (yissa(se)khar; Septuagint, Swete Issachar; Tischendorf, Issachar, so also in the New Testament, Tregelles, and Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek):

(1) The 9th son of Jacob, the 5th borne to him by Leah (Genesis 30:17 f).

1. The Name:

His birth is in this passage connected with the strange story of Reuben and his mandrakes, and the name given him is apparently conceived as derived from 'ish sakhar, "a hired workman." There is a play upon the name in this sense in Genesis 49:15, "He bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant under taskwork." Wellhausen (Textder Buch. Sam., 95) thinks that the second element of the name may denote a deity; and Sokar, an Egyptian god, has been suggested. The name in that case would mean "worshipper of Sokar." Practically nothing is preserved of the personal history of this patriarch beyond his share in the common actions of the sons of Jacob. Four sons were born to him before Jacob's family removed to Egypt (Genesis 46:13). In that land he died and was buried.

2. The Tribe:

At Sinai the tribe numbered 54,000 men of war over 20 years of age (Numbers 1:29). At the end of the wanderings the numbers had grown to 64,300 (Numbers 26:25). In the days of David, the Chronicler puts the figures at 87,000 (1 Chronicles 7:5). See NUMBERS. The place of Issachar in the desert-march was with the standard of the tribe of Judah (along with Zebulun) on the East side of the tabernacle (Numbers 2:5), this group forming the van of the host (Numbers 10:14 f). The rabbis say that this standard was of 3 colors, sardine, topaz and carbuncle, on which were inscribed the names of the 3 tribes, bearing the figure of a lion's whelp (Tg, pseudo. Jon. on Numbers 2:3). The captain of the tribe was Nethanel ben-Zuar (Numbers 1:8, etc.). Later this place was held by Igal ben-Joseph, the tribal representative among the spies (Numbers 13:7). The prince chosen from Issachar to assist in the division of the land was Paltiel ben-Azzan (Numbers 34:26). The position of Issachar at the strange ceremony near Shechem was on Mt. Gerizim, "to bless the people" (Deuteronomy 27:12).

3. The Tribal Territory:

Sixteen cities of Issachar are mentioned in Joshua 19:17, but the only indications of boundaries are Tabor in the North and Jordan in the East. We gather elsewhere that the territory of this tribe marched on the North with Zebulun and Naphtali (19:11, 33); on the West with Manasseh and possibly Asher (17:10); and on the South with Manasseh (17:11). It does not seem to have had any point of contact with the sea. The portion of Issachar, therefore, included the plain of Esdraelon, Tabor, the hill of Moreh, and the slopes East to the Jordan. The fortresses along the South edge of the plain were held by Manasseh. Tola, a man of Issachar, held Shamir, a stronghold in Mt. Ephraim (Judges 10:1). To Manasseh was given Beth-shean with her "towns" (Joshua 17:11). No reliable line can be drawn for the South border. The district thus indicated was small; but it embraced some of the most fruitful land in Palestine. By the very riches of the soil Issachar was tempted. "He saw a resting-place that it was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant under taskwork" (Genesis 49:15). "The mountain" in Deuteronomy 33:19 may possibly be Tabor, on which, most likely, there was an ancient sanctuary and place of pilgrimage. This would certainly be associated with a market, in which Issachar and Zebulun, the adjoining tribes, would be able to enrich themselves by trade with the pilgrims from afar. Issachar took part in the battle with Sisera (Judges 5:15). To Israel Issachar gave one judge, Tola (Judges 10:1), and two kings, Baasha and his son (1 Kings 15:27, etc.).

4. Men of Issachar:

Of the 200 "heads" of the men of Issachar who came to David at Hebron it is said that they were "men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). According to the Targum, this meant that they knew how to ascertain the periods of the sun and moon, the intercalation of months, the dates of solemn feasts, and could interpret the signs of the times. A company from Issachar came to the celebration of the Passover when it was restored by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:18). Issachar has a portion assigned to him in Ezekiel's ideal division of the land (Ezekiel 48:25); and he appears also in the list in Re (7:7).

(2) A Korahite doorkeeper, the 7th son of Obededom (1 Chronicles 26:5).

W. Ewing

2475b. Issachar -- Issachar, one of the twelve tribes of Isr.
... 2475a, 2475b. Issachar. 2476 . Issachar, one of the twelve tribes of
Isr. Transliteration: Issachar Short Definition: Issachar. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2475b.htm - 5k

2466. Isachar -- Issachar.
... 2465, 2466. Isachar. 2467 . Issachar. Part of Speech: Proper ... Issachar, a proper
name. Word Origin variant reading for Issachar, qv. Issachar. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2466.htm - 6k

2663a. Chapharayim -- a place in Issachar
... 2663, 2663a. Chapharayim. 2663b . a place in Issachar. Transliteration:
Chapharayim Short Definition: Hapharaim. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/2663a.htm - 5k

77. Ebets -- a city in Issachar
... 76, 77. Ebets. 78 . a city in Issachar. Transliteration: Ebets Phonetic
Spelling: (eh'-bets) Short Definition: Ebez. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/77.htm - 5k

3694. Kesulloth -- a place in Issachar
... 3693, 3694. Kesulloth. 3695 . a place in Issachar. Transliteration: Kesulloth
Phonetic Spelling: (kes-ool-loth') Short Definition: Chesulloth. ...
/hebrew/3694.htm - 6k

8439a. Tola -- two men of Issachar
... two men of Issachar. Transliteration: Tola Short Definition: Tola. Word Origin from
the same as tola Definition two men of Issachar NASB Word Usage Tola (6). ...
/hebrew/8439a.htm - 5k

6046. Anem -- a city of Issachar
... 6045, 6046. Anem. 6047 . a city of Issachar. Transliteration: Anem Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-name') Short Definition: Anem. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6046.htm - 6k

3005. Yibsam -- a descendant of Issachar
... Yibsam. 3006 . a descendant of Issachar. Transliteration: Yibsam Phonetic Spelling:
(yib-sawm') Short Definition: Ibsam. ... of Issachar NASB Word Usage Ibsam (1). ...
/hebrew/3005.htm - 6k

3412. Yarmuth -- a Canaanite city in Judah, also a city in ...
... Yarmuth. 3413 . a Canaanite city in Judah, also a city in Issachar. Transliteration:
Yarmuth Phonetic Spelling: (yar-mooth') Short Definition: Jarmuth. ...
/hebrew/3412.htm - 6k

6686. Tsuar -- "little one," a man of Issachar
... 6685, 6686. Tsuar. 6687 . "little one," a man of Issachar. Transliteration:
Tsuar Phonetic Spelling: (tsoo-awr') Short Definition: Zuar. ...
/hebrew/6686.htm - 6k

8110b. Shimron -- a son of Issachar
... a son of Issachar. Transliteration: Shimron Short Definition: Shimron. Word Origin
from shamar Definition a son of Issachar NASB Word Usage Shimron (3). ...
/hebrew/8110b.htm - 5k

7191. Qishyon -- a city in Issachar
... 7190, 7191. Qishyon. 7192 . a city in Issachar. Transliteration: Qishyon
Phonetic Spelling: (kish-yone') Short Definition: Kishion. ...
/hebrew/7191.htm - 6k

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. V."The Testament of Issachar Concerning
Simplicity. 1. The record of the words of Issachar. ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

The Disposition of the Tribes in Galilee.
... The country of Samaria contained only two tribes, and those of the brethren, Ephraim
and Manasses: Galilee four, Issachar, Zebulun, Nephthalim, and Asher, and ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 62 the disposition of.htm

And it came to Pass that the Festival of the Dedication was at ...
... tribe. Now at that time Issachar [1692] was high priest there. And ... Receptus.
There is no Issachar in the list of high priests. [1693 ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of the nativity of mary/chapter 2 and it came.htm

Deborah's Song
... And out of Zebulun they that handle the marshal's staff. Women. And the princes
of Issachar were with Deborah". Men. As was Issachar, so was Barak: Tutti. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv deborahs song.htm

The West Coast of Galilee-Carmel.
... The people of Issachar had "Carmel and the river for their bounds in length":
the people of Zabulon, "Carmel and the sea." Carmel ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 63 the west coast.htm

Letter xiii. --(For 341. ) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Pr??f. ...
... 5. Now to this the example of Issachar, the patriarch, may persuade, as the Scripture
[4389] saith, Issachar desires that which is good, resting between the ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xiii for 341 coss marcellinus.htm

Chapter xlvi
... Hamul. And the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvah and Job and Shimron. And
the sons of Zebulon: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. These ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Chapter xlix
... The six children of Leah are mentioned first, though it is not clear why Zebulon,
the sixth, should be mentioned before Issachar, the fifth. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

The vision
... c. xxi. v.14. "Of the tribe of Judah, of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Aser, Naphtali,
Manasses, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph, and Benjamin, of each of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the vision .htm

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... In the distance stretched the wide sea, dotted with spreading sails; here was luxurious
richness, as in the ancient possessions of Issachar, Manasseh, and ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Issachar (40 Occurrences)
... "God hath given me," said Leah, "my hire (Hebrews sekhari)...and she called his
name Issachar." He was Jacob's ninth son, and was born in Padan-aram (Comp. ...
/i/issachar.htm - 26k

Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)
... Issachar, Is'sachar. Issacher . ... Genesis 30:18 Leah said, "God has given me my
hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband." She named him Issachar. ...
/i/is'sachar.htm - 16k

Tola (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A scarlet worm. (1.) Eldest son of Issachar
(Genesis 46:13). (2.) A judge of the tribe of Issachar who ...
/t/tola.htm - 10k

Puah (5 Occurrences)
... (2.) A descendant of Issachar (Judges 10:1). Int. ... Puah (5 Occurrences). Genesis
46:13 And the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puah and Job and Shimron; (BBE DBY NIV). ...
/p/puah.htm - 9k

Zuar (5 Occurrences)
... zu'-ar, zoo'-ar (tsu`-ar "little one"; Sogar): Father of Nethanel (Numbers 1:8;
Numbers 2:5; Numbers 7:18, 23; 10:15), who was head of the tribe of Issachar. ...
/z/zuar.htm - 8k

Nethaneel (14 Occurrences)
... Given of God. (1.) The son of Zuar, chief of the tribe of Issachar at the Exodus
(Numbers 1:8; 2:5). ... Numbers 1:8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. ...
/n/nethaneel.htm - 11k

Nethanel (14 Occurrences)
... ne-than'-el, neth'-a-nel (nethan'el, "God has given"; Nathanael; the King James
Version Nethaneel, ne-than'-e-el): (1) A chief or prince of Issachar (Numbers 1 ...
/n/nethanel.htm - 12k

Zu'ar (5 Occurrences)
... Numbers 1:8 Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar. (See RSV). ... Numbers 7:18 On the
second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, gave his offering. ...
/z/zu'ar.htm - 7k

Nethan'el (14 Occurrences)
... Numbers 1:8 Of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar. (See RSV). ... Numbers 7:18 On the
second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: (See RSV). ...
/n/nethan'el.htm - 10k

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 35:23 the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob's first-born, and Simeon,
and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun; (See RSV). ...
/z/zeb'ulun.htm - 16k

Who was Issachar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Issachar? | GotQuestions.org

What are the twelve tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org

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