Who was Issachar in the Bible?

Issachar was a son of Obed-Edom, a faithful gatekeeper for the Ark of the Covenant during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 26:5). He served alongside his family in the important temple duties of guarding the sacred gates.

What was Issachar's role and significance?

His significance lies in his family's faithful service. As a gatekeeper, he was part of the Levitical ministry responsible for the security and order of the temple, a crucial but often overlooked role in Israel's worship (1 Chronicles 26:12-19).

What do we know about Issachar's life?

The Bible records him as one of Obed-Edom's sons, indicating he came from a large, blessed family specifically chosen for gatekeeping duties. Key events involve his family being entrusted with the care of the temple after God blessed Obed-Edom's household for safeguarding the Ark (1 Chronicles 26:4-5, 8).

Issachar

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleLeviteSon

Issachar was a son of Obed-Edom, a gatekeeper in the time of King David (1Ch.26.5).

Issachar

Biography

Issachar the son of Obed-Edom was a Levitical gatekeeper who served in the Jerusalem temple during the reign of King David. He is listed in 1 Chronicles 26:5 among the eight sons of Obed-Edom, all of whom were appointed to gatekeeping duties. The household of Obed-Edom had gained a distinguished place in Israel's sacred history when the ark of the covenant rested in Obed-Edom's home and brought great blessing to his household (2 Samuel 6:11–12). That legacy of proximity to the holy presence of God was carried forward into formal temple service by Obed-Edom's sons, including Issachar. As gatekeepers, these men regulated access to the sacred precincts, ensuring that worship at the house of God was conducted with proper reverence and order.

Significance

Issachar son of Obed-Edom represents the continuity of faithful service across generations. His father's obedient care for the ark of the covenant bore fruit in the next generation's formal consecration to temple ministry. The gatekeeping role, while not as publicly visible as the priestly or prophetic offices, was nonetheless essential to the sanctity of Israel's worship, a principle reflected in the Psalmist's declaration that being a doorkeeper in God's house surpasses dwelling in the tents of wickedness (Psalm 84:10). Issachar's inclusion in the Levitical registers of 1 Chronicles affirms the importance of every act of faithful service within the covenant community.

Authority Records

Wikidata Library of Congress

FatherJacobMotherLeahSpouseEridahChildTolaChildJashubChildPuahChildShimronSiblingDinahSiblingJosephSiblingLeviSiblingJudahSiblingBenjaminSiblingDanSiblingZebulunSiblingReubenSiblingGadSiblingNaphtaliSiblingSimeonSiblingAsher

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 26:5

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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