Genesis 49 · Verse 14

Genesis 49:14

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
Genesis 49:14, King James Version

Genesis 49:14 in other translations

BSBIssachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
WEB“Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags.
ASVIssachar is a strong ass, Couching down between the sheepfolds:
YLTIssacher is a strong ass, Crouching between the two folds;
DARBYIssachar is a bony ass, Crouching down between two hurdles.
BBEIssachar is a strong ass stretched out among the flocks:
WebsterIssachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens:

What does Genesis 49:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. a strong ass couching down between two burdens--that is, it was to be active, patient, given to agricultural labors. It was established in lower Galilee--a "good land," settling down in the midst of the Canaanites, where, for the sake of quiet, they "bowed their shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 Issachar is a strong ass - חמר גרם 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 49:13-18

Concerning Zebulun: if prophecy says, Zebulun shall be a haven of ships, be sure Providence will so plant him. God appoints the bounds of our habitation. It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot, and to improve it; if Zebulun dwell at the heaven of the sea, let him be for a haven of ships. Concerning Issachar: he saw that the land was pleasant, yielding not only pleasant prospects, but pleasant…

Read the full comment on Genesis 49:13-18 →

Genesis 49:14 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יִשָּׂשכָ֖רyi.so.sh.KharIssacharH3485
חֲמֹ֣רcha.Mor[is] a donkey ofH2543
גָּ֑רֶםGa.remboneH1634
רֹבֵ֖ץro.Vetzlying downH7257
בֵּ֥יןbeinbetweenH996
הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתָֽיִם\׃Ha.mish.pe.Ta.yimthe two campfiresH4942

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 49:14

  • 1 Chronicles 12:32

    And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

  • Genesis 30:18

    And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

  • Deuteronomy 33:18

    And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.

  • Joshua 19:17-23

    And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families. And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, And Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath, And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez, …

  • Judges 5:15-16

    And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

  • Judges 10:1

    And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
30:18; De 33:18; Jos 19:17-23; Jud 5:15; 10:1; 1Ch 12:32

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 49:13

    Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.

  • Genesis 49:14

    Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

  • Genesis 49:15

    And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

Read all of Genesis 49

Genesis 49:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Issachâr, asno huesudo echado entre dos tercios:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Issacar est un âne ossu, couché entre deux parcs.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Issaschar ist ein knochiger Esel, der sich lagert zwischen den Hürden.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Issachar asinus fortis accubans inter terminos.