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According to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Issachar (Hebrew: יִשָּׂשכָר/יִשְׂשָׂכָר, Modern: Yīssaḵar, Tiberian: Yīssāḵār) was one of the twelve tribes of Israel and one of the ten lost tribes.
Issachar’s was a sapphire (or lapis lazuli) stone, and his flag was of a very dark blue colour. Upon it was the image of the sun and moon. The Midrash explains why, citing I Chronicles 12:33, which describes the people of Issachar as being wise in astronomical and chronological matters.
10 sty 2013 · Issachar’s [stone was] sappir, and the colour of his flag was dark blue [lit. black like kohl], and a sun and a moon were drawn on it, as it is written [I Chronicles 12:33]: “And from the sons of Issachar were those who knew the wisdom of the times [i.e. astronomy and calendars].”
21 lis 2023 · The symbol of the Tribe of Issachar is the sun, moon, and stars because the tribe founded the ancient Israelite calendar. Along these lines, the Midrash and Talmud report that the Tribe...
Issachar, as depicted in the Book of Genesis, emerges as a pivotal figure in the ancestral lineage of the Israelite Tribe of Issachar. The etymology of his name, laden with symbolic significance, invites scholarly inquiry and interpretation, reflecting the complexities inherent in biblical narratives.
Bamidbar Rabbah 2:7 describes the symbol on Issachar's banner as the sun and the moon. I have researched the topic of what it is permitted to draw, and it seems that drawing the sun, moon, stars, or planets is universally prohibited. The only exception is made in the Shulhan Aruh for pedagogical purposes.
Symbolism: Issachar is symbolized by a strong donkey (Genesis 49:14-15), representing both the tribe’s agricultural focus and their resilience. The donkey, known for its strength and ability to bear heavy burdens, aptly describes Issachar’s hardworking and industrious nature.
