14 Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
14 "Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds.
14 Issachar is one tough donkey crouching between the corrals;
14 "Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens;
14 "Issachar is a sturdy donkey, resting between two saddlepacks.
2 "Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.
2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
2 "Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.
2 Come together, listen sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.
2 "Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.
2 "Come and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
(Read Genesis 49:1-2)
All Jacob's sons were living. His calling them together was a precept for them to unite in love, not to mingle with the Egyptians; and foretold that they should not be separated, as Abraham's sons and Isaac's were, but should all make one people. We are not to consider this address as the expression of private feelings of affection, resentment, or partiality; but as the language of the Holy Ghost, declaring the purpose of God respecting the character, circumstances, and situation of the tribes which descended from the sons of Jacob, and which may be traced in their histories.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 49:14
Commentary on Genesis 49:13-18
(Read Genesis 49:13-18)
Concerning Zebulun: if prophecy says, Zebulun shall be a haven of ships, be sure Providence will so plant him. God appoints the bounds of our habitation. It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot, and to improve it; if Zebulun dwell at the heaven of the sea, let him be for a haven of ships. Concerning Issachar: he saw that the land was pleasant, yielding not only pleasant prospects, but pleasant fruits to recompense his toils. Let us, with an eye of faith, see the heavenly rest to be good, and that land of promise to be pleasant; this will make our present services easy. Dan should, by art, and policy, and surprise, gain advantages against his enemies, like a serpent biting the heel of the traveller. Jacob, almost spent, and ready to faint, relieves himself with those words, "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord!" The salvation he waited for was Christ, the promised Seed; now that he was going to be gathered to his people, he breathes after Him to whom the gathering of the people shall be. He declared plainly that he sought heaven, the better country, Hebrews 11:13,14. Now he is going to enjoy the salvation, he comforts himself that he had waited for the salvation. Christ, as our way to heaven, is to be waited on; and heaven, as our rest in Christ, is to be waited for. It is the comfort of a dying saint thus to have waited for the salvation of the Lord; for then he shall have what he has been waiting for.