16 The verb שָׁכַן (shakhan) means “to settle,” but not necessarily as a permanent dwelling place. The tribal settlements by the sea would have been temporary and not the tribe’s territory.
17 For location see ; ; .
18 The verb forms in this verse (“sees,” “will bend,” and “[will] become”) are preterite; they is used in a rhetorical manner, describing the future as if it had already transpired.
19 The oracle shows that the tribe of Issachar will be willing to trade liberty for the material things of life. Issachar would work (become a slave laborer) for the Canaanites, a reversal of the oracle on Canaan. See C. M. Carmichael, “Some Sayings in Genesis 49,” 88 (1969): 435–44; and S. Gevirtz, “The Issachar Oracle in the Testament of Jacob,” 12 (1975): 104–12.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea;

he shall become a haven for ships,

and his border shall be at Sidon.

“Issachar is a strong donkey,

crouching between the sheepfolds.

He saw that a resting place was good,

and that the land was pleasant,

so he bowed his shoulder to bear,

and became a servant at forced labor.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Zebulun will live by the seashore

and become a haven for ships;

his border will extend toward Sidon.

“Issachar is a rawboned donkey

lying down among the sheep pens.

When he sees how good is his resting place

and how pleasant is his land,

he will bend his shoulder to the burden

and submit to forced labor.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Zebulun will live by the seashore

and will be a harbor for ships,

and his territory will be next to Sidon.

Issachar is a strong donkey

lying down between the saddlebags.

He saw that his resting place was good

and that the land was pleasant,

so he leaned his shoulder to bear a load

and became a forced laborer.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Zebulun will settle by the seashore

and will be a harbor for ships;

his borders will extend to Sidon.

“Issachar is a sturdy donkey,

resting between two saddlepacks.

When he sees how good the countryside is

and how pleasant the land,

he will bend his shoulder to the load

and submit himself to hard labor.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Zebulun shall settle by the shore of the sea.

He shall become a haven for ships,

and his border shall be at Sidon.

Issachar is a strong donkey,

crouching between the sheepfolds.

He saw a resting place that was good,

and land that was pleasant.

So he bowed his shoulder to the burden

and became a servant of forced labor.

KJV 1900King James Version

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.

Issachar is a strong ass

Couching down between two burdens:

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.

Public Domain