Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 49:14
Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
14. a strong ass ] Lit. “a bony ass,” as Aquila ; Lat. asinus fortis. Issachar is compared, not to the wild ass, high spirited and swift, but to the strong domestic beast of burden. The territory of Issachar included the southern part of Galilee and the Valley of Jezreel. Slightly different readings are represented by the Sam. grim (instead of gerem), i.e. “the ass of strangers,” “bearing the burdens imposed by foreigners,” “a tributary.” The LXX = “he desired the beautiful,” gives an entirely different turn to the sense.
between the sheepfolds ] For this word, see Jdg 5:16, “why satest thou among the sheepfolds?,” and Psa 68:13. Issachar is represented as lying contentedly among his flocks, regardless of his brethren. Instead of “sheepfolds,” the versions give “boundaries.” Thus LXX = “between the lots”; Lat. inter terminos. Another proposed rendering is “dung-heaps” or “ash-heaps.” Skinner conjectures “panniers,” which would be more appropriate to the metaphor.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
14. Issachar is a strong ass
Couching between two burdens.
15. And he saw the resting place that it was good,
And the land that it was pleasant;
And he inclined his shoulder to the load,
And he became a servant unto tribute.
Verse 14. Issachar is a strong ass] chamor garem is properly a strong-limbed ass; couching between two burdens – bearing patiently, as most understand it, the fatigues of agriculture, and submitting to exorbitant taxes rather that exert themselves to drive out the old inhabitants.
The two burdens literally mean the two sacks or panniers, one on each side of the animal’s body; and couching down between these refers to the well-known propensity of the ass, whenever wearied or overloaded, to lie down even with its burden on its back.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A strong ass, Heb. an ass of bone, i.e. of great bulk and bones, and strength of body, but of little spirit and courage,
couching down between two burdens, which are laid upon his back, and which he is contented to bear. Or, lying down, i.e. enjoying his ease and rest, between the borders, to wit, of the other tribes, with which he was encompassed and secured from foreign enemies, which made him more secure and slothful. Or, between the borders or folds of cattle; as a word very near akin to it, and proceeding from the same root, signifies, Jdg 5:16, to the feeding and minding whereof he wholly gave himself, neglecting more generous things.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. a strong ass couching downbetween two burdensthat is, it was to be active, patient,given to agricultural labors. It was established in lower Galileea”good land,” settling down in the midst of the Canaanites,where, for the sake of quiet, they “bowed their shoulder tobear, and became a servant unto tribute.”
Ge49:16-18. DANthoughthe son of a secondary wife, was to be “as one of the tribes ofIsrael.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Issachar is a strong ass,…. Or as one, the note of similitude being wanting, as Ben Melech observes; “a bony” e one, as the word signifies; not one that is lean, and nothing but skin and bones, as some interpret it, but that is strong and robust, able to carry burdens; and this tribe is compared to an ass, not for stupidity and sluggishness, but for its strength, and its use in husbandry, in which this tribe was chiefly occupied: the Targums of Jonathan and Jarchi interpret this figuratively, of his being strong to bear the yoke of the law: and it is a notion of the Jews, that this tribe were skilful in the doctrines of the law, and the intercalation of years, c. from 1Ch 12:32 couching down between two burdens: one hanging on one side, and another on the other which Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret of bales of goods; and may as well be understood of sacks of corn, or anything else, carried by these creatures, which, when they come into a good pasture, and for the sake of that and ease, will lie down with their burdens on them, and rise up again with them: the Targums of Onkelos and Jerusalem paraphrase it, “between two borders” f, or the borders of his brethren, as Jonathan, Zebulun and Dan, between which this tribe lay; and this is the reason Aben Ezra gives why Issachar, who was older than Zebulun, is mentioned after him, and between him and Dan, because his land lay between them; and so it may be observed, that in the division of the land in Joshua’s time, Issachar’s lot came up after Zebulun’s, Jos 19:10 but Doctor Lightfoot thinks g it refers to the two kingdoms, between which it lay, that of Phoenicia on one side, and that of Samaria on the other.
e “Asinus osseus”, Montanus, Tigurine version, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator, Cartwright. f “inter terminos”, V. L. “inter terminos duos”, Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius, Cartwright; so Ainsworth, “inter duos finos”, Tigurine version. g Works, vol. 1. p. 698.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“Issachar is a bony ass, lying between the hurdles. He saw that rest was a good ( subst.), and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.” The foundation of this award also lies in the name , which is probably interpreted with reference to the character of Issachar, and with an allusion to the relation between and , a daily labourer, as an indication of the character and fate of his tribe. “Ease at the cost of liberty will be the characteristic of the tribe of Issachar” ( Delitzsch). The simile of a bony, i.e., strongly-built ass, particularly adapted for carrying burdens, pointed to the fact that this tribe would content itself with material good, devote itself to the labour and burden of agriculture, and not strive after political power and rule. The figure also indicated “that Issachar would become a robust, powerful race of men, and receive a pleasant inheritance which would invite to comfortable repose.” (According to Jos. de bell. jud. iii. 3, 2, Lower Galilee, with the fruitful table land of Jezreel, was attractive even to ). Hence, even if the simile of a bony ass contained nothing contemptible, it did not contribute to Issachar’s glory. Like an idle beast of burden, he would rather submit to the yoke and be forced to do the work of a slave, than risk his possessions and his peace in the struggle for liberty. To bend the shoulder to the yoke, to come down to carrying burdens and become a mere serf, was unworthy of Israel, the nation of God that was called to rule, however it might befit its foes, especially the Canaanites upon whom the curse of slavery rested (Deu 20:11; Jos 16:10; 1Ki 9:20-21; Isa 10:27). This was probably also the reason why Issachar was noticed last among the sons of Leah. In the time of the Judges, however, Issachar acquired renown for heroic bravery in connection with Zebulun (Jdg 5:14-15, Jdg 5:18). The sons of Leah are followed by the four sons of the two maids, arranged, not according to their mothers or their ages, but according to the blessing pronounced upon them, so that the two warlike tribes stand first.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 14, 15:
Issachar, a “strong ass,” an “ass of bone,” a strong and powerful animal capable of bearing burdens.
“Couching down between two burdens,” is “lying down between the folds,” referring to the cattle-pens into which the livestock went by night for rest and protection. Issachar’s role was one that preferred labor with quietness to power and domination. The territory assigned to Issachar in the Land was the region of lower Galilee.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
14. Issachar. Here mention is partly made of the inheritance, and an indication is partly given of the future condition of this tribe. Although he is called a bony ass on account of his strength, (209) which would enable him to endure labors, especially such as were rustic, yet at the same time his sloth is indicated: for it is added a little afterwards, that he should be of servile disposition. Wherefore the meaning is, that the sons of Issachar, though possessed of strength, were yet quiet rather than courageous, and were as ready to bear the burden of servitude as mules are to submit their backs to the packsaddle and the load. The reason given is, that, being content with their fertile and pleasant country, they do not refuse to pay tribute to their neighbors, provided they may enjoy repose. And although this submissiveness is not publicly mentioned either to their praise or their condemnation, it is yet probable that their indolence is censured, because their want of energy hindered them from remaining in possession of that liberty which had been divinely granted unto them.
(209) Asinus osseus.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) Issachar.The description of Issachars lot is derived partly from the cognizance he had chosen for his signet, and partly from his personal character, He had taken for his symbol the assa very noble, active, spirited, and enduring animal in the East. (See Gen. 16:12, where Ishmael is compared to the wild ass, which adds to these qualities the love of freedom.) His real character was slothful, inactive, and commonplace. Jacob therefore likens him to a strong ass; Heb., an ass of bone, that is, one coarsely bred, as animals of high parentage have small bones. He is thus fit only to be a drudge, and with the laziness of a cart-horse lies down between two burdens. The word occurs again in Jdg. 5:16, and is there more correctly rendered sheepfolds. More exactly it means the pens in which the cattle were folded during the nights of summer; and it is in the dual form, because these pens were divided into two parts for the larger and smaller cattle. Thus Issachar, stretched at ease between his cattle-pens, gives us the idea of a tribe occupied with pastoral pursuits, and destitute of all higher aspirations.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Ass of bone Or, bony ass; that is, strongly built and fit for carrying burdens . See Gen 30:18, on the origin of the name Issachar . Issachar’s characteristic was a disposition to look for a reward or hire rather than liberty and honour . Like a beast of burden, he loves to lie down and rest between the double sheepfolds; that is the inclosures made of hurdles, and open at the top . The word is dual, probably because these folds were generally divided into two parts . Comp . Jdg 5:16, note .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between the sheepfolds,
And he saw a resting place that it was good, and the land that it was pleasant,
And he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a slave under forced labour.”
Jacob recognises in Issachar (‘man of wages’) someone who enjoys his pleasures and lacks initiative. He would always be a servant to others rather than taking the mastery. He would always prefer to be paid rather than being an entrepreneur.
“A strong ass.” The ass was a beast of burden, and Issachar is pictured as being ready to receive extra burdens as he does his work among the sheep. It may be that in Egypt he had fixed his eyes on its pleasures and in order to enjoy them had become committed to a certain level of forced labour in order to subsidise a pleasurable lifestyle.
There is no evidence that the tribe of Issachar became specifically a slave nation, but its territory which was in the vicinity of, at times, strong Canaanite cities whose fortunes varied (Jdg 1:27-28) might suggest that it would itself at times be subject to strong outside pressures and never fully establish itself. Consider its non-mention in Judges 1, possibly there being included in Manasseh. However it was lively enough in helping Deborah (Jdg 5:15), and there is no real reason for seeing it as especially enslaved.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 49:14. Issachar is a strong ass Heb. An ass of bone, i.e.. brawny, strong, robust. Jacob having compared Judah to a lion, to denote his courage and valour, compares Issachar to an ass, to give us an idea of his strength, his patience, and assiduity in the labours of the field: asses were highly esteemed and much used in Judea.
Couching down between two burdens The proper signification of the word mishpetaim, here rendered burdens, is, the divisions in a stall or stable; i.e.. the bars or boards which divide it into distinct standings. The two bars or rails, according to Taylor, denote the labours of husbandry, and the extraordinary taxes they would submit to, to be exempted from the avocations and perils of war. Others suppose, that this refers to the boundaries or limits of the other tribes; Issachar’s being an inland settlement, therefore more proper for agriculture. Our translation, between two burdens, well agrees with the context, and fitly marks the tame and indolent temper of this tribe.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
This verse forms a sweet break in the thread of Jacob’s blessing. So said Simeon, Luk 2:25-30 . Reader! GOD grant that so may you and I. Heb 11:13-14 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 49:14 Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
Ver. 14. Issachar is a strong ass, &c. ] He so commends his strength, that, with it, he condemns his dulness. This Christ can so little abide, that he said even to Judas, “That thou doest, do quickly.” God utterly refused an ass in sacrifice. The firstling of an ass must either be redeemed, or have his neck broke. Bellarmine gives the reason, and it is a very good one, quia tardum et pigrum animal, because it is a slow sluggish creature, segnis quasi seignls, without fire; slow to action, which God, who is himself a pure act [spirit?], cannot abide.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 49:14-15
14″Issachar is a strong donkey,
Lying down between the sheepfolds.
15When he saw that a resting place was good
And that the land was pleasant,
He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens,
And became a slave at forced labor.
Gen 49:14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,
Lying down between the sheepfolds” These two lines of poetry have been interpreted in two ways.
1. some take it from a root that means “a day laborer” (TEV)
2. others think it means they are lazy because they lay down between hills, saddlebags (TEV), or sheepfolds (NRSV, NJB) and are turned into slaves (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 994, #4)
The exact allusion is uncertain, but the point is that they refuse to take advantage of their situation. The LXX translates it as positive.
NASB, NRSV,
NJB, JPSOA”sheepfolds”
NKJVtwo burdens”
TEV
(NASB margin) “saddlebags”
LXX”between the inheritances”
Peshitta”by the highways”
REB”in the cattle pens”
The Hebrew word can mean
1. BDB 1046
a. fire places
b. ash heaps (i.e., villages)
c. sheepfold (cf. Jdg 5:16)
2. KB 652
a. the two (Hebrew dual) bags for a donkey (Arabic and Albright)
b. a kettle on the hearth
c. divided sheepfolds (cf. Psa 68:13)
Yes, moderns would like to know exactly what this means, but even with the ambiguity, the context does paint a picture. We must rely on the larger picture until more lexical or historical information becomes available. This is not a crucial issue!
Gen 49:15 There are two opposite ways to understand this verse.
1. Issachar was lazy and became a slave.
2. Issachar recognized the fertility of their inheritance and worked hard to make it prosperous.
It all has to do with “lying down.” Does this refer to laziness or rest after strenuous effort?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Issachar. Original Orth = he bringeth reward; referring to birth, Gen 30:18 (compare Psa 24:5. Ecc 5:18. Est 2:9, &c.) But here = a hireling. The prophecy is: “The hireling is the ass (or saddle-bearer) of strangers, Couching down among the folds; When he saw rest that it was good, And the land that it was pleasant:” &c. He preferred to pay tribute to the Canaanites rather than engage in the struggle to expel them.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gen 30:18, Deu 33:18, Jos 19:17-23, Jdg 5:15, Jdg 10:1, 1Ch 12:32
Reciprocal: Gen 46:13 – Issachar Num 1:28 – General Job 39:5 – who hath loosed 2Th 3:12 – that with 1Ti 2:2 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 49:14. Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens The men of that tribe shall be strong and industrious, fit for and inclined to labour, particularly the toil of husbandry; like the ass that patiently carries his burden. Issachar submitted to two burdens, tillage and tribute.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
49:14 Issachar [is] {l} a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
(l) His force will be great, but he will lack courage to resist his enemies.