Numbers 1:13 Study Bible: Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran.

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from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran;

from Asher
The name "Asher" is derived from the Hebrew root "אָשֵׁר" (Asher), meaning "happy" or "blessed." Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's eighth son, Asher, born to Leah's maidservant Zilpah. The tribe of Asher was known for its prosperity and abundance, as reflected in Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:20, which speaks of Asher's rich food and royal delicacies. Historically, the tribe settled in the fertile region of Canaan, which contributed to their wealth and happiness. This context reminds believers of the blessings and provision that come from God, encouraging a life of gratitude and contentment.

Pagiel
The name "Pagiel" means "God intervenes" or "God meets." This name reflects a deep trust in God's providence and intervention in the lives of His people. Pagiel, as a leader of the tribe of Asher, would have been seen as a representative of God's presence and guidance among the people. His name serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on God's intervention in our lives, trusting that He meets us in our needs and guides us according to His will.

son of Ocran
The phrase "son of Ocran" identifies Pagiel's lineage, with "Ocran" meaning "troubled" or "distressed." This juxtaposition of names—Pagiel, meaning "God intervenes," and Ocran, meaning "troubled"—can be seen as a narrative of redemption and hope. It suggests that even in times of trouble or distress, God's intervention brings about transformation and blessing. This lineage emphasizes the biblical theme of God bringing good out of difficult circumstances, encouraging believers to trust in His redemptive power in their own lives.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Asher
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Asher, the eighth son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. The tribe of Asher was known for its abundance and prosperity, as prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:20.

2. Pagiel
The leader of the tribe of Asher during the census in the wilderness. His name means "God intervenes" or "God meets," reflecting a divine connection and purpose.

3. Ocran
The father of Pagiel. Not much is known about Ocran, but his mention signifies the importance of lineage and heritage in the Israelite community.

4. Census in the Wilderness
This event, commanded by God, was a military census to organize the Israelites for their journey and eventual conquest of the Promised Land. It was a significant moment of preparation and obedience to God's instructions.

Teaching Points

Leadership and Responsibility
Pagiel's role as a leader of Asher during the census highlights the importance of leadership in fulfilling God's plans. We are called to step into roles of responsibility with faithfulness and integrity.

Heritage and Identity
The mention of Pagiel and Ocran underscores the significance of heritage and identity in God's plan. As believers, we are part of a spiritual lineage that calls us to live out our faith with purpose.

Obedience to God's Commands
The census was a direct command from God, and the Israelites' obedience was crucial for their journey. Similarly, our obedience to God's Word is essential for our spiritual journey and growth.

Divine Intervention
Pagiel's name, meaning "God intervenes," reminds us of God's active role in our lives. We can trust in His divine intervention and guidance in our circumstances.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of Pagiel as a leader of the tribe of Asher during the census reflect the importance of leadership in fulfilling God's purposes today?

2. In what ways can understanding our spiritual heritage and identity in Christ influence our daily walk with God?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in our current life situations, and what are some challenges we might face?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's divine intervention in your life. How did it impact your faith and trust in Him?

5. Considering the blessings pronounced over the tribe of Asher, how can we seek to live a life that reflects God's abundance and favor in our communities?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 49:20
Jacob's blessing to Asher highlights the tribe's future prosperity and abundance, which aligns with the role of Pagiel as a leader during the census, indicating the tribe's continued significance.

Deuteronomy 33:24-25
Moses' blessing to Asher emphasizes strength and favor, which can be seen in the leadership role of Pagiel during the census.

1 Chronicles 7:40
This passage lists the descendants of Asher, showing the tribe's growth and the fulfillment of the blessings pronounced over them.

Sermons

An Honest Pedigree		Numbers 1:4-16
Bank and Service	W Jones.	Numbers 1:4-16
God's Knowledge of His People	W. Jones.	Numbers 1:4-16
The Lord Knows the Number and the Names of All Who Belong to Him	W. Attersoll.	Numbers 1:4-16
The Pedigree Declared	C. H. Mackintosh.	Numbers 1:4-16
The Men of Renown Who Managed the Census	D. Young	Numbers 1:5-16

People

Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai

Places

Egypt, Sinai

Topics

Asher, Ochran, Ocran, Pagiel, Pa'giel

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 1:1-16

5700 headship

Numbers 1:1-49

5249 census

Library

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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