Joshua 19:23

23. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar] Then, as it still is, among the richest land in Palestine. “Westward was the famous plain which derived its name from its fertility. On the north is Tabor, which even under the burning sun of the climate is said to retain the glades and dells of an English wood. On the east, behind Jezreel, is the opening which conducts to the plain of the Jordan—to the Bethshean, which was proverbially among the Rabbis the Gate of Paradise for its fruitfulness.” The soil yielded corn and figs, wine and oil (1Ch_12:40); the stately palm waved over the villages; and the very weeds testify to the extraordinary fertility of the Esdraelon plain. Here Issachar rejoiced in his tents (Deu_33:18), couched down as the strong he-ass (Gen_49:14-15), used for burden and field-work, and “seeing that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant, bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute,” which various marauders, Canaanites (Jdg_4:3; Jdg_4:7), Midianites, Amalekites (Jdg_6:3-4), Philistines (1Sa_29:1), exacted, bursting through his frontier, open both on the east and the west, and tempted by his luxuriant crops. See Porter’s Handbook, ii. 352; Stanley’s S. and P., p. 348. “Two things strike us forcibly in looking over the plain of Esdraelon, and in wandering through it:

(a) First, its wonderful richness. After the grey hills of Judah, and the rocky mountains of Ephraim, the traveller looks with admiration over this unbroken extent of verdure. The luxuriant grass, and the exuberance of the crops on the few spots where it is cultivated, amply prove the fertility of the soil. It was the frontier of Zebulun. ‘Rejoice, O Zebulun, in thy goings out’ (Deu_33:18).

(b) Second, its desolation. If we except its eastern branches there is not a single inhabited village on its whole surface, and not more than one-sixth of its soil is cultivated. It is the home of the wandering Bedawy, who can scour its smooth turf on his fleet mare in search of plunder, and when hard pressed can speedily remove his tents and his flocks beyond the Jordan, and beyond the reach of a weak government. In its condition, thus exposed to every hasty incursion, and to every shock of war, we read the fortunes of that tribe which for the sake of its richness consented to sink into a half nomadic state. ‘Rejoice, O Issachar, in thy tents’ (Gen_49:14-15; Deu_33:18). Their exposed position and valuable possessions made them eager for the succession of David to the throne, as one under whose sceptre they would enjoy the peace and rest they loved.” See 1Ch_12:32; 1Ch_12:40. Porter’s Handbook, ii. pp. 352, 353.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher,.... Which entitled them to an inheritance next described:

according to their families; which was sufficient for them, and divided to them according to their number.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar. Jacob, whose dying eye pierced far into the future, discerned beforehand the situation of the tribe of Issachar, and its results upon its conduct. Situated in the midst of this fertile plain, accessible alike to Egypt by the way of the Shephelah, and to the east by way of the fords of the Jordan, the tribe of Issachar became in the end the prey of the various nationalities, who made the plain of Esdraelon their battlefield, and it was the first to "bow his shoulder to bear" and to "become a servant unto tribute". (Gen_49:15) It seems to have been to the east of Manasseh, (see Jos_17:10) and may have extended much further south than is usually supposed. Since but small mention of the Jordan is made in the boundary of Joseph, it may have extended as far or farther south than the Jabbok. (see also note, Jos_17:10) The general belief of explorers at present is that the inheritance of Issachar extended from Jezreel to the Jordan, and from the Sea of Tiberias southward as far as the border of Manasseh, above mentioned.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

This was the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar

The land and cities that the tribe of Issachar received are spoken of as if they were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession. AT: "This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Issachar received as an inheritance" (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

inherit

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.