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Issachar

Issachar in the Bible — ninth-born son of Jacob (GEN 30:17), son of Leah. Issachar belonged to the tribe of Issachar. Referenced in 24 scripture passages.

Name meaning: “reward; recompense”

Profile

Gender
male
Tribe
Issachar
Scripture References
24 references
Known Names
1 name
Relationships
23 connections

Biography

Issachar was the ninth-born son of Jacob and the fifth son of Leah, belonging to the tribe of Issachar. He was a male figure in the patriarchal lineage of Israel. The biblical record identifies him primarily through his birth order and tribal association.

Names & Titles

The name Issachar means 'there is reward,' reflecting a meaning given in Genesis 30:18. This name does not appear to have been directly given by God but rather by his parents, conveying a sense of recompense or blessing associated with his birth.

Family

Issachar was a son of Jacob and Leah and had several brothers, including Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, and Dinah, as well as half-brothers Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin. He was also the father of Tola. These relationships place him firmly within the twelve tribes of Israel as one of the patriarchal sons.

Significance

Issachar holds significance as the progenitor of the tribe that bore his name, noted for wisdom and discernment of times and seasons in Israel’s history. His birth followed the episode involving mandrakes, and his name symbolizes a divine reward, marking his role in God's unfolding plan through Jacob's descendants. The tribe of Issachar contributed to Israel’s understanding of God's timing and guidance.

Key Events

Birth to Jacob and Leah(Genesis 30:17-18)
Traveled to Egypt with family(Genesis 46:13)

Names & Labels (1)

Issacharproper name
Hebrew
יִשָּׂשכָֽר
Transliteration
yisaskar
Meaning
there is reward
Greek
Ισσαχαρ
Reference
GEN 30:18
Strong's
H3485

Family & Relationships (23)

son

Jacob(GEN 30:18)
Leah(GEN 30:18)

brother

Reuben(GEN 30:18)
Simeon(GEN 30:18)
Levi(GEN 30:18)
Judah(GEN 30:18)
Zebulun(GEN 30:19)
Dinah(GEN 30:21)

half-brother

Dan(GEN 30:18)
Naphtali(GEN 30:18)
Gad(GEN 30:18)
Asher(GEN 30:18)
Joseph(GEN 30:23)
Benjamin(GEN 35:17)

father

Tola(GEN 46:13)
Puvvah(GEN 46:13)
Iob(GEN 46:13)
Shimron(GEN 46:13)

ancestor

Zuar(NUM 1:8)
Joseph(NUM 13:7)
Azzan(NUM 34:26)
Dodo(JDG 10:1)
Ahijah(1KI 15:27)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Issachar in the Bible?

Issachar was the ninth-born son of Jacob and the fifth son of Leah, belonging to the tribe of Issachar. He was a male figure in the patriarchal lineage of Israel. The biblical record identifies him primarily through his birth order and tribal association.

What does the name Issachar mean?

The name Issachar means “reward; recompense” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.

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