Bible Dictionaries
Issachar

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ihss' ssuh chahr) Personal name meaning “man for hire” or “hireling.” Ninth son of Jacob, the fifth borne by Leah (Genesis 30:18 ). He became the progenitor of the tribe of Issachar. Almost nothing is known about his personal history. The tribe of Issachar occupied territory in the northern part of Palestine, just southwest of the Sea of Galilee (Joshua 19:17-23 ). The tribe was not prominent in Israel's history. Tola, one of the so-called “minor” judges, was of the tribe of Issachar (Judges 10:1-2 ). So was Baasha, the successor of Nadab as king of Israel (1 Kings 15:27 ). The city of Jezreel, which was an Israelite royal residence, was located in the territory of Issachar. See Tribes of Israel; Chronology of Biblical Period.