“Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens;
Parallel translations
- WEB “Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags.
- KJV Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
- BSB Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
- NASB ¶“Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between the sheepfolds.
- NLT “Issachar is a sturdy donkey, resting between two saddlepacks.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Issachar is pictured as a strong donkey resting between its burdens.
Overview
The image of a sturdy beast lying among the saddlebags portrays Issachar as strong yet inclined toward ease and settled comfort. It hints at a tribe content to bear labor in exchange for the security of good land. The portrait invites reflection on the danger of trading freedom and calling for mere comfort.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Chr 12:32Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command.
- Gen 30:18Leah said, “God has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar.
- Deut 33:18About Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents.
- Josh 19:17–23The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families.
- Judg 5:15–16The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.
- Judg 10:1After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 49:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.