Genesis 49 14

Genesis 49:14 kjv

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

Genesis 49:14 nkjv

"Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens;

Genesis 49:14 niv

"Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens.

Genesis 49:14 esv

"Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds.

Genesis 49:14 nlt

"Issachar is a sturdy donkey,
resting between two saddlepacks.

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 14 meaning

Genesis 49:14 depicts Issachar as a strong and resilient, yet pragmatic and possibly submissive, tribal ancestor. The imagery of a powerful donkey settling down "between two burdens" indicates a readiness to accept strenuous labor or even a form of servitude—like paying tribute—in exchange for peace and the bounty of fertile land. It portrays a disposition valuing stability and prosperity gained through toil over contention or military ambition.

Genesis 49 14 Context

Genesis 49 records Jacob's prophetic blessings and pronouncements upon his twelve sons, uttered before his death. These words serve as divinely inspired insights into the future character and destiny of their respective tribes within Israel. The pronouncements are not moral judgments but rather descriptions of the inherent dispositions and likely outcomes for each tribe, often using animal imagery and geographical allusions. For Issachar, this blessing forecasts its disposition, relationship to its land, and its readiness to engage in heavy work or endure imposition for the sake of prosperity and peace, contrasting with some brothers who are blessed with martial prowess. The historical context implies that Issachar would inhabit the fertile plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel), a strategically significant and productive region often subject to transit and conflict, making the choice for a settled, agrarian life with a cost plausible.

Genesis 49 14 Word analysis

• Issachar (יִשָּׂשׂכָר - Yišśâśḵār): The ninth son of Jacob, born to Leah. His name means "there is recompense/reward" or "man of hire" (Gen 30:18). This name already hints at a nature connected with compensation or bearing something in exchange for a benefit, echoing the prophecy's theme.
• is a strong (גָּרֶם - gārem): From a root meaning "bone" or "skeleton." It denotes robust strength, a powerful and well-built frame, especially suited for endurance and carrying heavy loads. Not merely a donkey, but one specifically fit for substantial work.
• donkey (חֲמוֹר - chamôr): A common beast of burden in the ancient Near East. Symbolizes patient endurance, diligent labor, and often, humility or subservience. Unlike a horse (symbolizing war/status), the donkey is associated with steady, everyday toil.
• Couching down (רֹבֵץ - rōvēts): An active participle, implying a deliberate and sustained action of "lying down," "crouching," or "settling." This suggests a willing act of resting or yielding, rather than being forced down. It implies an animal either preparing to receive a load or contentedly resting in its pasture. In context, it conveys a readiness to accept one's lot or circumstances.
• between (בֵּין - bên): Standard preposition meaning "between" or "in the midst of."
• two burdens (הַמִּשְׁפְּתַיִם - hammishpᵉṯayim): This is the most interpretatively rich and debated term. It literally refers to "double sheepfolds" or "cattle stalls," typically barriers within a pen where animals rested or were fed.
  • Interpretation 1: Physical Load: The "burdens" could refer to panniers or saddlebags placed on either side of the donkey, representing the heavy loads it carries. This highlights its role as a laborer.
  • Interpretation 2: Borders/Territories: The term can metaphorically signify the "borders" or "regions" that enclose the tribe, perhaps the fertile valleys between the hills of Tabor and Carmel or the two branches of the Jezreel plain. This emphasizes Issachar's prized territory.
  • Interpretation 3: Taxes/Tributes: Combining the ideas, it implies that the tribe of Issachar, for the sake of dwelling peacefully and productively in their rich territory (between these "borders"), would willingly subject itself to tribute or forced labor, thereby accepting burdens from powerful neighbors or invaders rather than engaging in perpetual conflict. This signifies a strategic choice for economic prosperity over martial freedom.

Genesis 49 14 Bonus section

The seemingly contradictory characteristics of Issachar – submissive agriculturalist here versus military leadership in Judges 5:15 and wisdom in 1 Chronicles 12:32 – can be reconciled. The prophecy in Genesis 49:14-15 describes a foundational tribal disposition: a preference for peaceful agrarian life over military contention for land. This fundamental character of valuing productivity and quiet living led them to develop wisdom ("understanding of the times") rather than martial arts, making them adept at discerning appropriate actions. When necessary, as in the time of Deborah, their deep connection to the land and the need to protect their resources could indeed rouse them to military participation, demonstrating their innate strength was adaptable beyond just farm labor, but fundamentally rooted in a strategic calculation for the well-being of their settled life. Their capacity to bear burdens also extended to bearing the "burden" of leadership and understanding when called upon.

Genesis 49 14 Commentary

Genesis 49:14 paints Issachar as a tribe characterized by sturdy endurance and a practical, non-confrontational disposition. The "strong donkey" symbolizes their capacity for hard labor, not for war or swift action, but for patient, continuous toil. "Couching down" suggests a willing, deliberate act of settling or submitting, often interpreted as their pragmatic decision to accept heavy agricultural work or even external tribute in exchange for the peaceable possession of their highly fertile lands, particularly the Plain of Esdraelon/Jezreel. This land, while rich in produce, was a frequent invasion route, making a defensive posture costly. Thus, Issachar's "burden" could represent the produce-tax they might pay, or the sheer labor required to cultivate their land. Their strength lay in their ability to sustain such efforts, prioritizing tranquility and agricultural prosperity. This prophecy doesn't suggest weakness, but a wise and utilitarian choice of character and destiny, exemplified by their later reputation for wisdom and understanding of the times (1 Chr 12:32).