Son of Jacob and Leah, forefather of tribe
Issachar
Named in 40 verses across 11 books, first in Genesis 30:18.
יִשָּׂשכָרIssachar
ἸσαχάρIssachar
The name means “reward; recompense.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Israel
- Mother
- Leah
- Brothers and sisters
- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, Benjamin
- People
- Tribe of Issachar
About Issachar Written by AI
Issachar was the ninth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the fifth son of Leah (Gen. 30:18; 35:23; 46:13; 1Chr. 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; 1Chr. 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 (1Chr. 12:32). One of David's officers, Omri son of Michael, was from Issachar (1Chr. 27:18). The tribe is also noted for being faithful to Hezekiah's Passover invitation (2Chr. 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).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Issachar, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Hired (Gen. 30:18). “God hath given me,” said Leah, “my hire (Heb. 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; Num. 26:23, 25).
Issachar, Tribe of, during the journey through the wilderness, along with Judah and Zebulun (Num. 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 (Deut. 27:12). The allotment of Issachar is described in Josh. 19:17-23. It included the plain of Esdraelon (=Jezreel), which was and still is the richest portion of Palestine (Deut. 33:18, 19; 1 Chr. 12:40).
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The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob on Issachar corresponds with that of Moses (Gen. 49:14, 15; comp. Deut. 33:18, 19).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Genesis 30:18
Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.
- Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
- Genesis 46:13
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.
- Genesis 49:14
Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
- Exodus 1:3
Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;
- 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.
- Numbers 10:15
Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar,
- Numbers 13:7
from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;
- Numbers 26:23
These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans: The Tolaite clan from Tola, the Punite clan from Puvah,
- Numbers 26:25
These were the clans of Issachar, and their registration numbered 64,300.
- Numbers 34:26
Paltiel son of Azzan, a leader from the tribe of Issachar;
- 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.
- Deuteronomy 33:18
Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents.
- 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.
- 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.
- Joshua 19:17
The fourth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Issachar:
- Joshua 19:23
This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Issachar, including these cities and their villages.
- 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.
- Joshua 21:28
From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kishion, Daberath,
- 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.
- 1 Kings 4:17
Jehoshaphat son of Paruah in Issachar;
- 1 Kings 15:27
Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city.
- 1 Chronicles 2:1
These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
- 1 Chronicles 6:62
The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan.
- 1 Chronicles 6:72
From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kedesh, Daberath,
- 1 Chronicles 7:1
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four in all.
- 1 Chronicles 7:5
Their kinsmen belonging to all the families of Issachar who were mighty men of valor totaled 87,000, as listed in their genealogies.
- 1 Chronicles 12:32
From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.
- 1 Chronicles 12:40
And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 27:18
over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar was Omri son of Michael;
- 2 Chronicles 30:18
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone
- Ezekiel 48:25
Issachar will have one portion bordering the territory of Simeon from east to west.
- Ezekiel 48:26
Zebulun will have one portion bordering the territory of Issachar from east to west.
- Ezekiel 48:33
On the south side, which will be 4,500 cubits long, there will be three gates: the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun.
- Revelation 7:7
from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.