STRONGS NT 2466: Ἰσσαχάρ [Ἰσσαχάρ, Ἰσσαχάρ, see Ἰσασχαρ.]

Issachar is one of the twelve sons of Jacob, born to Leah after the incident of the mandrakes in the field (Genesis 30:14-18). His name recalls Leah’s declaration, “God has rewarded me,” expressing both gratitude and the recognition that his birth was providential. From Issachar descended the tribe that bore his name, counted among the foundational tribes of Israel.

Patriarchal Blessings

Jacob’s deathbed prophecy portrays Issachar figuratively: “Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags. He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant; so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant” (Genesis 49:14-15). The picture of a sturdy, load-bearing donkey suggests steadiness, endurance, and a willingness to serve for reward.

Moses later blessed the tribe, pairing it with Zebulun: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents” (Deuteronomy 33:18). While Zebulun would pursue commerce, Issachar would enjoy the fruitfulness of settled life, sharing in sacrificial worship and prosperity (Deuteronomy 33:19).

Territorial Allotment in Canaan

Joshua 19:17-23 records Issachar’s inheritance in the fertile Jezreel Valley and surrounding areas of Lower Galilee. The land included the grain-rich plains between Mount Gilboa and Mount Carmel. Cities such as Jezreel, Shunem, and En-gannim lay within its borders, explaining the agricultural imagery of both Jacob and Moses. The tribe’s location placed it along key trade routes, fostering economic stability while exposing it to the ebb and flow of regional powers.

Role in Israel’s History

1. Judges era: Issachar joined Deborah and Barak against Sisera. “The princes of Issachar were with Deborah… into the valley they rushed at Barak’s heels” (Judges 5:15).
2. United Monarchy: Census lists record 87,000 mighty men of valor from Issachar in the days of David (1 Chronicles 7:5). Most notable are the two hundred chiefs “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Their discernment and strategic counsel aided the transition of power to David.
3. Northern Kingdom: Towns in Issachar frequently appear in narratives concerning Elisha (2 Kings 4; 2 Kings 8:1-6) and Jehu (2 Kings 9:15-37), illustrating the region’s ongoing significance.

Characteristics and Contributions

• Wisdom and Discernment – The men who “understood the times” exemplify spiritual perception and the ability to apply God’s truth to current circumstances.
• Industry and Stability – The tribe’s agrarian setting cultivated a reputation for steady labor and contented provision.
• Partnership in Worship – Moses’ blessing depicts Issachar drawing nations to Mount Tabor for righteous sacrifices, foreshadowing the tribe’s role in leading others toward true worship.

Issachar in Prophecy and Eschatology

Strong’s Greek 2466 (Ἰσσαχάρ) appears once in the New Testament at Revelation 7:7, where twelve thousand from the tribe are sealed among the 144,000 servants of God. This single mention underscores the continuity of God’s covenant purposes from Genesis to Revelation. Despite the Assyrian exile and the scattering of the Northern Kingdom, the tribe is neither forgotten nor lost in God’s redemptive plan.

Spiritual Lessons for the Church

1. Faithful Service – Like the strong donkey, believers are called to bear one another’s burdens and labor faithfully for Christ.
2. Discernment of the Times – The “Issachar spirit” of understanding God’s purposes in history encourages vigilant, Scripture-saturated insight for guiding the body of Christ.
3. Hope of Preservation – The sealing in Revelation assures every believer that God knows His people by name and will keep them through final tribulation.

Key References

Genesis 30:14-18; Genesis 49:14-15

Deuteronomy 33:18-19

Joshua 19:17-23

Judges 5:15

1 Chronicles 7:1-5; 1 Chronicles 12:32

2 Kings 4:8; 2 Kings 8:1-6; 2 Kings 9:15-37

Revelation 7:7