See also Israel; Jacob, Son of Isaac

A son of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament (Gen. 30: 17-18; 35: 23; 46: 13). His descendants became one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The tribe of Issachar: Jacob’s blessing to Issachar is found in Genesis 49: 14-15. After settling in Canaan, the tribe received some of the richest land of Palestine, including the plain of Esdraelon. Within Issachar’s borders were several important places in Jewish history, for example, Carmel, Megiddo, Dothan, Gilboa, Jezreel, Tabor, and Nazareth (Josh. 19: 17-23).