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Issachar יִשָּׂשכָר

Male Tribe of Issachar H3485G 10 books

Son of Jacob and Leah, forefather of tribe

Who is Issachar in the Bible?

Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob and the fifth son born to Leah, whose name means "man of reward" in reference to Leah's belief that God rewarded her for giving her maidservant to Jacob (Genesis 30:18, 35:23). He fathered four sons, Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron, whose descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 46:13, Numbers 26:23-24). In Jacob's blessing recorded in Genesis 49:14-15, Issachar was characterized as a "strong donkey" and described as "resting between the sheepfolds," a poetic description indicating his tribe would be industrious yet content with an agricultural way of life. During Israel's wilderness wanderings, the tribe of Issachar was led by Nethanel son of Zuar and maintained a significant population (Numbers 1:8, 2:5). Issachar's tribe represents the settled, productive character of the Israelite people and their eventual inheritance of land suited to farming in the promised land.

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).

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In Scripture

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

    "Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar."

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  • Genesis 35:23

    "The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun."

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  • Genesis 46:13

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

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  • Genesis 49:14

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

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Exodus 1 verse
Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 1:8

    "from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar;"

  • Numbers 1:28

    "From the sons of Issachar, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,"

  • Numbers 1:29

    "those registered to the tribe of Issachar numbered 54,400."

  • Numbers 2:5

    "The tribe of Issachar will camp next to it. The leader of the Issacharites is Nethanel son of Zuar,"

  • Numbers 7:18

    "On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, drew near."

Deuteronomy 2 verses
  • Deuteronomy 27:12

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

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  • Deuteronomy 33:18

    "Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents."

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Joshua 5 verses
  • Joshua 17:10

    "Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east."

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  • Joshua 17:11

    "Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphath), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements."

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  • Joshua 19:17

    "The fourth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Issachar:"

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  • Joshua 19:23

    "This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Issachar, including these cities and their villages."

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  • Joshua 21:6

    "The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan."

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Judges 2 verses
  • Judges 5:15

    "The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision."

  • Judges 10:1

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

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Hebrew יִשָּׂשכָר yišāškār Jissaskar , a son of Jacob
Greek Greek Ἰσαχάρ — —