39 Heb “God has given my reward.”
40 The words “as a wife” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied for clarity (cf. v. 9). Leah seems to regard the act of giving her servant Zilpah to her husband as a sacrifice, for which (she believes) God is now rewarding her with the birth of a son.
41 The name Issachar (יְשָּׁשכָר, yishakhar) appears to mean “man of reward” or possibly “there is reward.” The name plays on the word used in the statement made earlier in the verse. The Hebrew noun translated “reward” is derived from the same root as the name Issachar. The irony is that Rachel thought the mandrakes would work for her, and she was willing to trade one night for them. But in that one night Leah became pregnant.

In other versions

Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.

Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.

Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my slave to my husband,” and she named him Issachar.

She named him Issachar, for she said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband as a wife.”

Then Leah said, “God has given me my wage since I gave my slave girl to my husband.” And she called his name Issachar.

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

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