Issachar is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after the fifth son of Jacob and Leah. The name "Issachar" is often interpreted to mean "reward" or "man of hire," reflecting Leah's declaration upon his birth: "God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband" (Genesis 30:18). Issachar's birth is recorded in Genesis 30:17-18, and he is later listed among the sons of Jacob who went to Egypt (Genesis 46:13).

Tribal Territory and Characteristics

The tribe of Issachar was allocated a fertile region in the central part of the land of Canaan, as described in Joshua 19:17-23. This territory included the Jezreel Valley, a significant agricultural area known for its productivity. The tribe's location was strategic, bordered by the tribes of Zebulun, Naphtali, and Manasseh, which facilitated trade and interaction with neighboring tribes.

Issachar is often associated with 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 characteristic highlights their discernment and leadership qualities, particularly during critical periods in Israel's history.

Role in Israel's History

Throughout biblical history, the tribe of Issachar played various roles. During the time of the Judges, they supported Deborah and Barak in the battle against Sisera, as noted in Judges 5:15. Their participation in this victory underscores their commitment to the collective well-being of the Israelite tribes.

In the monarchy period, Issachar was loyal to King David. As mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:32, they were among the tribes that joined David at Hebron to transfer the kingdom from Saul to David, demonstrating their political acumen and support for God's anointed king.

Prophetic Blessings

Jacob's blessing over Issachar in Genesis 49:14-15 portrays the tribe as a strong donkey lying down between two burdens, suggesting a life of labor and servitude. This imagery has been interpreted to reflect the tribe's agricultural prosperity and willingness to bear burdens for the sake of stability and peace.

Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy 33:18-19 highlights Issachar's joy in their tents and their participation in sacrificial offerings, indicating their contentment and religious devotion. The blessing also suggests that Issachar would benefit from the abundance of the seas and treasures hidden in the sand, pointing to the tribe's prosperity and resourcefulness.

Legacy and Significance

The tribe of Issachar, though not as prominent as some other tribes, contributed significantly to the spiritual and political life of Israel. Their wisdom, loyalty, and industrious nature are celebrated in biblical narratives, and their legacy continues to be a subject of study and reflection in biblical scholarship. The tribe's ability to understand the times and act accordingly serves as an enduring example of discernment and leadership in the biblical tradition.Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)

Genesis 30:18
Leah said, "God has given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid 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
Issacher 'is' a strong ass, Crouching between the two folds;
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Exodus 1:3
Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
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Numbers 1:8
Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar.
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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;
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Numbers 1:29
those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.
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Numbers 2:5
And those encamping by him 'are of' the tribe of Issachar; and the prince of the sons of Issachar 'is' Nethaneel son of Zuar;
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Numbers 7:18
On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, gave his offering.
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Numbers 10:15
And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Issachar 'is' Nathaneel son of Zuar.
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Numbers 13:7
Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
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Numbers 26:23
Sons of Issachar by their families; 'of' Tola 'is' the family of the Tolaite; of Pua the family of the Punite;
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Numbers 26:25
These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred.
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Numbers 34:26
Of the tribe of the children of Issachar a prince, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
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Deuteronomy 27:12
"These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.
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Deuteronomy 33:18
Of Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents.
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Joshua 17:10
Southward 'is' to Ephraim and northward to Manasseh, and the sea is his border, and in Asher they meet on the north, and in 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 sons of Issachar, for their families, the cities and 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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Joshua 21:28
Out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,
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Judges 5:15
the princes of Is'sachar came with Deb'orah, and Is'sachar faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed forth at his heels. Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
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Judges 10:1
After Abim'elech there arose to deliver Israel Tola the son of Pu'ah, son of Dodo, a man of Is'sachar; and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of E'phraim.
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1 Kings 4:17
Jehoshaphat Ben-Paruah 'is' in Issachar.
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1 Kings 15:27
And conspire against him doth Baasha son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, and Baasha smiteth him in Gibbethon, which 'is' to the Philistines -- and Nadab and all Israel are laying siege against Gibbethon --
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1 Chronicles 2:1
These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,
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1 Chronicles 6:62
To the sons of Gershom, according to their families, out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
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1 Chronicles 6:72
and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,
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1 Chronicles 7:1
Of the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
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1 Chronicles 7:5
Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.
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1 Chronicles 12:32
Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their commandment.
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1 Chronicles 12:40
And also those near unto them, unto Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, are bringing in bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen -- food of fine flour, fig-cakes and grape-cakes, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep, in abundance, for joy 'is' in Israel.
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1 Chronicles 26:5
Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.
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1 Chronicles 27:18
of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
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2 Chronicles 30:18
for a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, have not been cleansed, but have eaten the passover otherwise than it is written; but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, 'Jehovah, who 'is' good, doth receive atonement for every one
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Ezekiel 48:25
By the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, Issachar, one portion.
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Ezekiel 48:26
By the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side, Zebulun, one portion.
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Ezekiel 48:33
At the south side four thousand and five hundred reeds by measure, and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one.
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Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)
Is'sachar. Issachar, Is'sachar. Issacher . Multi-Version Concordance
Is'sachar (40 Occurrences). Genesis 30:18 Leah said, "God has ...
/i/is'sachar.htm - 16k

Deb'orah (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 5:15 the princes of Is'sachar came with Deb'orah, and Is'sachar
faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed forth at his heels. ...
/d/deb'orah.htm - 9k

Heels (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 5:15 the princes of Is'sachar came with Deb'orah, and Is'sachar
faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed forth at his heels. ...
/h/heels.htm - 9k

Issachar (40 Occurrences)

/i/issachar.htm - 26k

Clans (120 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Judges 5:15 the princes of Is'sachar came with Deb'orah, and Is'sachar
faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed forth at his heels. ...
/c/clans.htm - 34k

Issacher (1 Occurrence)

/i/issacher.htm - 6k

Abim'elech (58 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:1 After Abim'elech there arose to deliver Israel Tola the son of Pu'ah,
son of Dodo, a man of Is'sachar; and he lived at Shamir in the hill country ...
/a/abim'elech.htm - 22k

Pu'ah (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:1 After Abim'elech there arose to deliver Israel Tola the son of Pu'ah,
son of Dodo, a man of Is'sachar; and he lived at Shamir in the hill country ...
/p/pu'ah.htm - 7k

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:1 After Abim'elech there arose to deliver Israel Tola the son of Pu'ah,
son of Dodo, a man of Is'sachar; and he lived at Shamir in the hill country ...
/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k

Faithful (136 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:15 the princes of Is'sachar came with Deb'orah, and Is'sachar faithful
to Barak; into the valley they rushed forth at his heels. ...
/f/faithful.htm - 69k

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