Joshua 19:17

“[And] the fourth lot came out to Issachar, etc.] The fourth of the seven drawn at Shiloh: for the children of Issachar, according to their families: among whom the inheritance that came to them by the lot was divided, according to the number of them.”

“OF ISSACHAR. (Jos 19:17-23) the fourth lot came out to Issachar--Instead of describing the boundaries of this tribe, the inspired historian gives a list of its principal cities. These cities are all in the eastern part of the plain of Esdraelon.”

“19:17-23 The land given to the tribe of Issachar included much of the fertile Jezreel Valley. During Old Testament times, this valley was largely a swamp surrounded by prosperous and important cities. This area was a center of Canaanite strength, so this small tribe had trouble gaining a foothold at first.”

“The Inheritance of Issachar. - In this instance only towns are given, and the boundaries are not delineated, with the exception of the eastern portion of the northern boundary and the boundary line; at the same time, they may easily be traced from the boundaries of the surrounding tribes. Issachar received for the most part the large and very fertile plain of Jezreel (see at Jos 17:16, and Ritter, Erdk. xvi. pp. 689ff.), and was bounded on the south by Manasseh, on the west by Manasseh and Asher, on the north by Zebulun, and farther east by Naphtali also, and on the east by the Jordan. Jos 19:18 "And their boundary was towards Jezreel," i.e., their territory extended beyond Jezreel. Jezreel,…”