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

“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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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