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.
He saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant. The plain of Esdraelon, on which they settled, formed as it were a deep and spacious valley, separating in a very striking manner the two mountainous regions of Palestine-that of Samaria and Judea on the south, and that of Galilee on the north. Esdraelon, with the plain of Acre, belongs geographically to neither of these districts. Its fertility has been proverbial in all ages. 'Every traveler has remarked on the richness of its soil and the exuberance of its crops. The very weeds are a sign of what, in better hands, the vast plain might become' (Stanley, 'Sinai and Palestine,' p. 348). The tribe of Issachar was originally enterprising and independent. They were commended by Deborah (Judges 5:15) for the alacrity and vigour with which they engaged in the defensive war against the confederate Canaanites of the north. But their character was gradually modified by the fertile character of their country. The Septuagint expresses this [to kalon epethumeesen], 'Issachar desired or loved greatly what was good.' The vast plain was so unprotected and open to the incursions of foreign invaders, that Issachar preferred to purchase peace from the dominant power, by the payment of black mail, to living in a state of continual jeopardy both for life and property. х Wayªhiy (H1961) lªmac (H4522) `obeed (H5647) was subject to tribute; Septuagint, became farmers.] Their productive soil, which liberally rewarded their agricultural labours, enabled them easily to secure the two objects of meeting the exactions of their masters, and at the same time retaining for themselves an abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life. This purchase of material enjoyment, at the sacrifice of independence, by Issachar, is supposed by Keil to be the reason why, of all the sons of Leah, he is mentioned last.