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Issachar יִשָּׂשכָר

Male Tribe of Issachar H3485G 10 books

Son of Jacob and Leah, forefather of tribe

Biography

Issachar was the ninth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the fifth son of Leah (Gen. 30:18; 35:23; 46:13; 1 Chr. 2:1). His name means "man of reward" or "there is reward", referring to Leah's belief that God rewarded her for giving her maidservant to Jacob (Gen. 30:18).

Issachar had four sons: Tola, Puvah, Job (or Jashub), and Shimron (Gen. 46:13; Num. 26:23-24; 1 Chr. 7:1). His descendants became one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Jacob's blessing, Issachar was described as a "strong donkey" and "resting between the sheepfolds", indicating his tribe would be hardworking and content with an agrarian life (Gen. 49:14-15).

During the wilderness years, the tribe of Issachar was led by Nethanel son of Zuar (Num. 1:8; 2:5; 7:18; 10:15). They encamped on the east side of the tabernacle under the standard of Judah (Num. 2:5).

In the census taken in the wilderness of Sinai, the tribe of Issachar numbered 54,400 men aged 20 and over (Num. 1:28-29). In the second census on the plains of Moab they numbered 64,300 (Num. 26:25).

Issachar's allotment in Canaan included the fertile Jezreel Valley and was bordered by Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun and Jordan (Josh. 19:17-23). The Levitical cities in Issachar's territory were Kishion, Daberath, Jarmuth and En-gannim (Josh. 21:28-29).

The tribe of Issachar was commended for providing wise leadership during the time of David (1 Chr. 12:32). One of David's officers, Omri son of Michael, was from Issachar (1 Chr. 27:18). The tribe is also noted for being faithful to Hezekiah's Passover invitation (2 Chr. 30:18).

In Ezekiel's vision of the division of the restored land, Issachar is allotted the sixth portion (Ezek. 48:25-26). In John's apocalyptic vision, Issachar is one of the tribes sealed by God (Rev. 7:7).

Family

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Offspring

In Scripture

10 biblical books ; 5 with study content
Genesis 4 verses
  • Genesis 30:18

    "Leah said, “God has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar."

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  • Genesis 35:23

    "The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun."

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  • Genesis 46:13

    "The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Iob, and Shimron."

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  • Genesis 49:14

    "“Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags."

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Exodus 1 verse
Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 1:8

    "Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar."

  • Numbers 1:28

    "Of the children of Issachar, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war:"

  • Numbers 1:29

    "those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred."

  • Numbers 2:5

    "Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar. The prince of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar."

  • Numbers 7:18

    "On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, gave his offering."

Deuteronomy 2 verses
  • Deuteronomy 27:12

    "“These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin."

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  • Deuteronomy 33:18

    "About Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents."

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Joshua 5 verses
  • Joshua 17:10

    "Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border. They reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east."

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  • Joshua 17:11

    "Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns."

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  • Joshua 19:17

    "The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families."

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  • Joshua 19:23

    "This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages."

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  • Joshua 21:6

    "The children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, out of the tribe of Asher, out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan."

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Judges 2 verses
  • Judges 5:15

    "The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart."

  • Judges 10:1

    "After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew יִשָּׂשכָר H3485G
Greek Greek Ἰσαχάρ G2466