Issachar
IS-AH-KAR
Issachar is an ancient Hebrew name interpreted as hired worker or there is reward, from the roots ish (man) and sakar (wages, hire, reward). In the Hebrew Bible, Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob and Leah, and the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Issachar was celebrated in rabbinical tradition for its scholars and its wisdom in understanding the times, making the name a byword for intellectual discernment.
At a glance
One of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Hebrew Bible, Issachar means hired worker or reward and carries a deep tradition of scholarly wisdom within Jewish heritage.
Etymology & History
Issachar comes from the Hebrew Yissaskar or Yissachar, which has two proposed etymologies: the first derives it from ish (man) and sakar (wages, reward), meaning man of wages or hired worker; the second interprets it as yesh sakar meaning there is reward. In Genesis 30:18, Leah names her son Issachar declaring God has given me my wages. The name has been preserved in Jewish tradition largely through its tribal significance, and it appears in the New Testament as one of the twelve tribes sealed in the Book of Revelation.
Cultural Significance
Issachar occupies a significant place in Jewish religious and scholarly tradition. The tribe of Issachar was associated in rabbinic literature with the study of Torah and with the wisdom to understand historical events and seasons, based on the verse in Chronicles that describes the men of Issachar as those who had understanding of the times. This association made Issachar a name of honour in learned Jewish communities. It is rare in the wider English-speaking world, which gives it a distinctly biblical, serious quality. Among families drawn to Old Testament names beyond the familiar biblical canon, Issachar is an exceptional and deeply rooted choice.
Famous people named Issachar
Issachar (son of Jacob)
Ninth son of the patriarch Jacob and his wife Leah, ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, celebrated in Jewish tradition for wisdom and learning
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Issachar
Asher
“Happy, blessed”
From the Hebrew asher, meaning 'happy' or 'blessed'. In the Book of Genesis, Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, and his mother Zilpah declared 'Happy am I!' at his birth, giving the name its joyful association.
Ezra
“Helper”
From the Hebrew ezra, meaning 'help' or 'helper'. In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra was a priestly scribe who led the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon, making the name synonymous with leadership and restoration.
Gideon
“Mighty warrior, feller of trees”
Gideon derives from the Hebrew root meaning 'to hew' or 'to cut down,' giving it the powerful dual sense of a mighty warrior and one who fells trees. It carries connotations of decisive strength and purposeful action.
Where you'll find Issachar
Issachar shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.