Gen 30:18 | NETfull | STEP | Then Leah said, “God has granted me a reward because I gave my servant to my husband as a wife.” So she named him Issachar.

Genesis 30:18

18 Then Leah said, “God has granted me a reward ^{▼▼ Heb “God has given my reward.”} because I gave my servant to my husband as a wife.” ^{▼▼ The words “as a wife” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied for clarity (cf. v. 9).} ^{▼▼ Leah seems to regard the act of giving her servant Zilpah to her husband as a sacrifice, for which (she believes) God is now rewarding her with the birth of a son.} So she named him Issachar. ^{▼▼ The name Issachar (יְשָּׁשכָר, yishakhar) appears to mean “man of reward” or possibly “there is reward.” The name plays on the word used in the statement made earlier in the verse. The Hebrew noun translated “reward” is derived from the same root as the name Issachar. The irony is that Rachel thought the mandrakes would work for her, and she was willing to trade one night for them. But in that one night Leah became pregnant.}