What Does the Bible Say about the Tribe of Issachar?

　　What is the Tribe of Issachar? One definition for “tribe” is a social group composed of numerous families, clans, or generations, with shared ancestry and language. History classes have shared about various tribes in the world. Scripture mentions numerous families who lived and traveled together. Their daily lives would have included situations of turmoil and also joy. This description fits many tribes in the Bible, including Issachar’s tribe.

　　

Who Was Issachar in the Bible?

Issachar was the son of Jacob and Leah. He was born in Padan-aram. Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob. In Hebrew, the name Issachar means “his reward will come.”

　　Jacob’s other wife, Rachel, had trouble conceiving. The heartache and disappointment of not having a child for Jacob caused Rachel to devise her own plan. The Bible tells that Rachel approached Leah and traded one of her nights with Jacob for some plants (Genesis 30:1-18). The Old Testament uses the Hebrew word dudaim (“love plants”) for the plants, and it is usually translated as “mandrakes” in Bible translations. Mandrakes are flowering herbs, and their roots were supposed to help with fertility.

　　Due to the trade, Leah became pregnant and gave birth to Issachar. (Genesis 30:14-18 NIV). Later, after Leah gave birth to another son named Zebulun, Rachel finally had a son, who she named Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24).

　　Rachel’s trade with Leah meant she was taking matters into her own hands instead of waiting for God’s timing and God’s answer. How often do we try to “fix” a problem instead of waiting for God? Perhaps Rachel was worried about feeling “less than” since she wasn’t becoming pregnant. Scripture doesn’t tell us the exact thoughts in her mind. Scripture does share her determination in giving Jacob a child. She was desperate enough to trade a night with Leah.

　　Through that traded night, a son named Issachar was born. I wonder how Rachel felt when this son was born. Would she have been jealous? Or would she have experienced happiness knowing Jacob had another son? Human emotions were bound to play a part in the daily interactions between Leah and Rachel. Imagine making that tough decision and then having to live with the results.

　　Jacob also had sons with his concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 30:1-13). The family dynamic of Jacob changed each time he had a new child. Jacob also had one daughter, Dinah. Her mother was Leah.

　　

What Blessing Did Issachar Get From Jacob?

Issachar, like his brothers, received a blessing from their father Jacob before his death (Genesis 49). Each of the twelve brothers received unique blessings. Perhaps Jacob based his blessings on what he wanted for his sons or what he knew about their personalities and abilities.

　　When Jacob gave his blessing to Issachar, he referred to him as "a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor" (Genesis 49:14-15 NIV). A donkey is strong and usually carries heavy loads. This could also have referred to his personality.

　　Can you think of families who have “favorite” children? As Jacob gave his blessing to each son, his thoughts may have brought him peace or worry.

　　Each of Jacob’s sons had families of their own that later became a tribe of Israel. Each group was known for something different.

　　

Where Did the Tribe of Issachar Live?

After Moses brought the tribes of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:31-33), they wandered for 40 years in the desert before finally reaching their promised land (Joshua 1).

　　The Tribe of Issachar settled on the land west of the Jordan River and southeast of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee. Issachar’s tribe was one of the ten northern tribes that established the Kingdom of Israel after the death of King Solomon.

　　At the nation of Israel’s first census, the tribe of Issachar consisted of over 54,000 fighting men (Numbers 1:29). A large number of people would need more than a small parcel of land. They would need food, clothing, and shelter to survive. Can you picture the group of men, women, and children traveling the land to find a place to settle? The dust, dirt, change of seasons, perhaps arguments over food and shelter, and more could have been daily encounters. A nomadic group would have encountered obstacles along the way. Tempers may have flared, and disputes would have been settled in different ways. Was authority challenged along the way? Were the decisions of the leaders questioned?

　　

What Was the Tribe of Issachar Known For?

Issachar and his tribe were known as scholars and laborers. Issachar himself was said to be deeply intuitive, which was a sign of spiritual power and intelligence. Perhaps his parents noticed these traits when he was a young boy. Maybe his intelligence and spiritual power showed in his daily choices as he matured. These traits were said to have been passed on to his descendants. Have you considered any traits that were passed on to you? Or any traits you may pass on to your descendants?

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　　Six Prayers for Estranged Family Members

　　The Bible lists generations of the Tribe of Issachar, totaling 87,000 “mighty men of valor” (1 Chronicles 7:1-5 NIV). Scripture shares that the men understood the times and what Israel would do in the future (1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV). Does this mean they were able to foretell the future? No. Because of their intelligence and spiritual power, they could make the right decisions for their tribe. Did they ever make the wrong choices? Of course. Failure comes to every person at one time or another. Valuable lessons can be learned during times of failure.

　　

What Happened to the Tribe of Issachar?

Have you heard of the Lost Tribes of Israel? The lost tribes are considered to be the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom that fell to Assyria (2 Kings 17). They were said to be exiled from the Kingdom of Israel. The exiles listed include the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Levi, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Joseph, and Issachar.

　　Some historians believe these tribes could have been wiped out or mixed into other tribes or groups. Other scholars think the “lost” tribes migrated to Europe or England. Although we don’t know what happened to the Tribe of Issachar and some of the other tribes, we know that God had a plan for each person. God has a plan for each of us, too.

　　

What Can We Learn from the Tribe of Issachar?

The book of Genesis contains the story of Issachar’s birth, the blessing from his father Jacob, and a list of his descendants. The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Job, and Shimron (Genesis 46:13). Each of these people played a part in God's larger plan to create a tribe for the kingdom of Israel.

　　Reading the Word of God can help us learn and understand the past and give us hope for the future. The names listed in Scripture are important. Whether there are many details about each person or just the name, we can know that God created each person with a purpose. When questions arise, or there are passages in the Bible that need explaining, remember to pray and ask God for guidance to understand His Word. Small group Bible Study is another way to learn more about Scripture and God’s love for each of His creations.

　　

A Prayer for When We Read Scripture

Father,

　　Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for providing ways for us to have a deep and meaningful relationship with You. Open our hearts and souls to receive the message You have for us as we read Scripture. Guide us to the path that You have ready. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

　　In His Name,

　　Melissa Henderson

　　Further Reading:

　　12 Sons of Jacob - Who Were They?

　　Why Were the Sons of Jacob Chosen to Be the 12 Tribes of Israel?

　　What Are Each of the 12 Tribes Known For?