Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ISSACHAR

(Heb. yiśśāḵār)

1. The fifth son of Leah and Jacob, and eponymous ancestor for the Israelite tribe of Issachar. The meaning of the name is difficult to discern, but the story of Issachar’s conception seems to shed some light. Gen. 30 relates a story of Leah’s son Reuben’s finding some mandrakes (perhaps an aphrodisiac in the ancient world). Leah trades her mandrakes to her sister Rachel, in exchange for an extra night with Jacob. As a result of their time together, Leah conceives and bears Issachar. The biblical text suggests two possible etymologies for the name, both revolving around a wordplay on the Hebrew root śkr, “to hire, pay wages, recompense.” Leah is described as having informed Jacob that he must sleep with her that night because she had “hired” him. When Issachar is born, Leah states that this child is her “compensation” for having to give her maid Zilpah to Isaac earlier when she was experiencing a time of barrenness.

Gen. 46:13 describes Issachar and his four sons immigrating with Jacob’s family to Egypt. The blessing of Issachar by Jacob (Gen. 49:14-15) describes the tribe as having to bear the burden of others and become “a slave.” The territory allotted to the tribe of Issachar is identified in Josh. 19:17-23 as the land between the eastern Jezreel Valley and the Jordan Valley. In the Song of Deborah (Judg. 5:15) Issachar is praised for its participation and efforts in helping to defeat the enemy.

2. The seventh son of Obed-edom, a descendant of Levi through Korah; a gatekeeper during the reign of David (1 Chr. 26:5).

Lisa W. Davison

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ISSACHAR

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)