Issachar is a strong ass— Heb. An ass of bone, i.e.. brawny, strong, robust. Jacob having compared Judah to a lion, to denote his courage and valour, compares Issachar to an ass, to give us an idea of his strength, his patience, and assiduity in the labours of the field: asses were highly esteemed and much used in Judea.
Couching down between two burdens— The proper signification of the word משׁפתים mishpetaim, here rendered burdens, is, the divisions in a stall or stable; i.e.. the bars or boards which divide it into distinct standings. The two bars or rails, according to Taylor, denote the labours of husbandry, and the extraordinary taxes they would submit to, to be exempted from the avocations and perils of war. Others suppose, that this refers to the boundaries or limits of the other tribes; Issachar's being an inland settlement, therefore more proper for agriculture. Our translation, between two burdens, well agrees with the context, and fitly marks the tame and indolent temper of this tribe.