Genesis 30:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is stated that God listened to Leah. Seeing that she was in distress and not loved, the Lord responded to her plight, allowing her to conceive. She proclaimed that she had been rewarded for offering her maidservant to her husband, and thus she named her son Issachar.

Leah, after receiving the mandrakes, bore two sons named Issachar and Zebulun. The name Issachar signifies ‘reward,’ while Zebulun translates to ‘pleasant way’ and ‘blessing.’ As previously noted, the Jewish synagogue, through the holy Apostles, received the sacrament of Christ—as if nurturing a family—thus becoming the mother of those instructed in the reward and blessings of God. The certainty of faith in Christ yielding reward is evidenced by the forgiveness of sins. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself affirms this, stating: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you ... whoever believes in... Me has eternal life’ (John 5:24) (John 6:35, 40). The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment: ‘Near to you is the word that is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith which we preach.

Had it not been within the divine plan for Jacob to have Zilpah as a concubine, the Lord would not have bestowed any blessing upon Leah for Zilpah. Consequently, Leah became pregnant and gave birth to Issachar, followed by Zebulun and their sister Dinah.

Seventy interpreters have provided insights into the origin of the name, translating it as "there is a reward." It is important not to conclude that the text suggests "which is the reward," as this interpretation is often mistakenly derived from the insertion of a pronoun. The complete name Issachar encompasses the meaning "there is a reward." This stems from the word is (יִשִשָּׂ), signifying "is," and sachar (שכָֽר), which translates to "reward." This understanding relates to the incident where she acquired mandrakes for her son Reuben, granting her intimacy with her husband, a privilege that belonged to Rachel.

You are interested in the meanings of the names of the patriarchs. Here is their explanation. Issachar signifies the recompense for the righteous.

The Lord granted me my reward, for I offered my servant to my husband. This means that since I acquired the privilege of having a husband through a transaction, God blessed me with a son. This gift from God is even more apparent, as I had resigned myself to the idea of not having additional children, having already provided my servant to my husband to bear children on my behalf. Issachar, indeed, represents a true reward.