Genesis 49:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This individual is commended for selecting agriculture and toil upon the earth above all other pursuits.

Issachar signifies ‘reward’ (cf. Gen. 30:16-17). This meaning may serve as a foreshadowing and vivid representation of those whom God the Father has set apart for Christ to receive a reward. As David declares, ‘Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession’ (Psalms 2:8). In another Psalm, he alludes to those who belong to Immanuel, singing, ‘Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is His reward’ (Psalms 126:3). Those who have faith, from the tribes of Israel and from the multitude of Gentiles, are considered gifts to Immanuel, representing a type of reward. When Jesus is acknowledged as Lord, this highlights His identity as the fruit of the womb, sharing in our humanity.

Issachar, a resilient figure, lies calmly among the territories. This refers to Gideon, who, by sending messengers, summons everyone to confront the Midianites. With just three hundred warriors, he fortifies himself and launches an assault on the vast enemy encampment, which was filled with countless foes and darkness (Judges 6:35, Judges 7:7, 19-21). Issachar, a robust individual, resting in the heart of various routes, symbolizes the One who captures those who stray from the truth but brings the repentant back to life.

The Hebrew passage states, "Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the burdens. He saw that rest was good, and that the land was delightful; he bent his shoulder to bear the load, and became a servant at tribute." After mentioning Zebulun, who was destined to possess the coastal regions and reach as far as Sidon and other Phoenician cities, the text shifts back to the inland territory, declaring Issachar as the blessed heir due to his inheritance of the most beautiful area of Galilee, adjacent to Naphtali. Issachar is described as a strong donkey, symbolizing his willingness to bear burdens, as he was deeply engaged in the work of farming the land and transporting the fruits of his labor to the sea, fulfilling obligations of tribute to the kings.

He symbolically referred to Issachar as the Savior, who from His earliest days sought what is good. As Isaiah states, "Before a child knows, he shall call upon his father or mother, and then he shall cast away the evil one to choose the good" (Isaiah 7:16). Christ found Himself at rest in the midst of the prophets' inheritance, fulfilling the prophecies spoken about Him. On the mountain, Moses and Elijah also appeared, one on His right and the other on His left, engaging in conversation with Him, allowing the Savior to seem as if He were at peace among them. Another interpretation of Issachar allegorically depicts the Savior, the only one from childhood who has yearned for goodness.

In our previous reflections, we have recognized that Reuben represents human desire, Simeon embodies anger, and Levi illustrates misguided wisdom. Yet, we also noted that Judah signifies man's repentance for sins, while Zebulun reflects a deeper transformation. In Issachar, which translates to "reward," we find an individual who anticipates being rewarded for his righteous deeds. He has not only turned away from wickedness but has actively sought goodness, resting amidst his inheritance. Positioned at the center, he embodies the wisdom of remaining steadfast, neither veering to the right nor to the left (Proverbs 4:27; Deuteronomy 5:32), indicative of walking a path of virtue.

Issachar is a strong donkey, etc. Philo notes that the donkey represents a symbol of toil.