Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(rewarded). (1) Fifth son of Jacob by Leah (Gen. 30:17-18). Tribe characteristics foretold (Gen. 49:14-15). Place during march at east of Tabernacle (Num. 2:5). Allotment N. of Manasseh, from Carmel to Jordan (Josh. 19:17-23). (2) A temple porter (1 Chron. 26:5).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. The ninth son of Jacob, and the fifth of Leah. Of his personal history there is no record except that he had four sons, who became heads in the tribe. When Jacob blessed his sons he said, “Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens, and he....bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute” (Gen. 49:14-15). This seems to imply that this tribe, with Zebulun, would mix with the world and become slaves to it for profit. When Moses blessed the tribes, Issachar and Zebulun are also placed together. He said, “They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand” (Deut. 33:19). This seems to point also to commercial enterprise. Some of Issachar resorted to David at Ziklag, of whom it is said they “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chron. 12:32). At the first numbering there were of Issachar 54,400 fit for war, and at the second 64,300. They are described as “valiant men of might,” and they furnished 36,000 men of war (1 Chron. 7:4-5). The tribe possessed some of the most productive portions of the land, including the extensive plain of Jezreel, with the Jordan on its border for about 50 miles. See map under TWELVE TRIBES.
2. Son of Obed-Edom, a Korhite Levite (1 Chron. 26:5).
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
he will be hired: there is reward: he will bring raw ward