Issachar

Issachar

Meaning: "There is a Reward" (Genesis 30:18)

Symbol: Donkey (or sun and moon)

Stone/Color: Chrysolite (or topaz) / Yellowish-green (Exodus 28:17)

Family: Ninth son of Jacob, born to Leah (Genesis 30:18)

Size: First Census: 54,400. Second Census: 64,300.

Location: Fertile Jezreel Valley, Included Nazareth.

Jacob's Blessing: "Issachar is a strong donkey... he saw that rest was good, and that the land was pleasant; he bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, and became a band of slaves" (Genesis 49:14-15).

Moses' Blessing: Mentioned along with Zebulun as tribes who will "partake of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hidden in the sand" (Deuteronomy 33:18-19).

Notable: Deborah commended the tribe of Issachar for standing with the Israelites in battle (Judges 5:15). During the time of David, the tribe was know for its wisdom: "the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Categories: Bible, Twelve Tribes of Israel