the Tribe of Asher: Families of
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traces its lineage to Asher, the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Genesis 30:12-13). Asher's name, meaning "happy" or "blessed," reflects Leah's joy at his birth. The tribe is noted for its prosperity and abundance, as prophesied by Jacob: "Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide royal delicacies" (Genesis 49:20).

Genealogical Background

The genealogical records of the Tribe of Asher are detailed in several passages of Scripture. In the wilderness census conducted by Moses, the tribe is listed among the descendants of Jacob, with its numbers recorded as 41,500 men able to go to war (Numbers 1:40-41). By the time of the second census, the number had increased to 53,400 (Numbers 26:47).

Families and Clans

The families of the Tribe of Asher are delineated in the genealogical records found in the Book of Numbers. The primary clans, or families, of Asher include:

1. Imnahites: Descendants of Imnah, one of Asher's sons.
2. Ishvites: Descendants of Ishvi, another son of Asher.
3. Berites: Descendants of Beriah, yet another son of Asher.
4. Heberites: Descendants of Heber, a son of Beriah.
5. Malchielites: Descendants of Malchiel, another son of Beriah.

These families are mentioned in Numbers 26:44-47, which states: "These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: The Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, the Berite clan from Beriah. From the sons of Beriah: the Heberite clan from Heber, the Malchielite clan from Malchiel" .

Territorial Inheritance

The Tribe of Asher was allocated a fertile and strategically significant portion of land in the Promised Land, as described in Joshua 19:24-31. This territory included the coastal region of northern Canaan, extending from Carmel to Sidon. The land was known for its rich soil and olive groves, fulfilling the blessing of prosperity pronounced by Jacob.

Role in Israel's History

Throughout Israel's history, the Tribe of Asher played a role in various events. During the period of the Judges, Asher was noted for its failure to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants of its territory (Judges 1:31-32). Despite this, the tribe participated in the collective efforts of Israel, such as the battle led by Deborah and Barak against Sisera (Judges 5:17).

In the time of King David, men from Asher joined the ranks of David's mighty warriors, contributing to the unification and strength of the kingdom (1 Chronicles 12:36). The tribe's presence is also noted in the accounts of the return from Babylonian exile, as some members of Asher were among those who returned to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:1-2).

Cultural and Spiritual Legacy

The Tribe of Asher is remembered for its blessings of abundance and happiness, as well as its contributions to the nation of Israel. The tribe's legacy is reflected in the New Testament, where Anna, a prophetess from the tribe of Asher, is mentioned as one who recognized Jesus as the Messiah during His presentation at the Temple (Luke 2:36-38).

The families of Asher, with their rich heritage and enduring legacy, continue to be a testament to the faithfulness and providence of God throughout the history of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 26:44-47
Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

There was at that Time at Babylon one Nehemiah...
... gates finished, he measured out the city for the construction by families of houses ...
of Christ, to speak of some as connected with the tribe of Asher, one of ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xi there was at.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... In this more favorable environment their families and their flocks ... To a chief of
a northern tribe of Napthali ... The distant tribes of Asher, Dan and Reuben were ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... to connect the name Rotanu or Lotanu with that of the Edomite tribe of Lotan ... The
Syrians belonged to the second of these families, that next in order to the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... in Genesis 12:3, "In thee all the families of the ... the three other sons of the maids,
viz., Dan, Asher, and Naphtali ... Judah is the chief tribe on the chief side. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Chapter xxxv
... thought ("in thy seed shall all the families of the ... of Jerusalem on old territory
of the tribe of Benjamin ... of Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah"Gad and Asher. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... thought ("in thy seed shall all the families of the ... of Jerusalem on old territory
of the tribe of Benjamin ... of Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah"Gad and Asher. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... When Asher's foot was dipped in oil, no wonder he left a foot ... We have strange families
ourselves sometimes. ... among all nations, and out of every tribe and people ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... comprised but a small number of families, and made no ... Judah, Levi, and Simeon; while
Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and ... War broke out between one tribe and another ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... body to the invading hosts; but the range of mountains which forms its backbone
subdivides it into isolated districts, and by thus restricting each tribe to a ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Resources
What is the significance of the city of Sidon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Were Jacob's prophecies about his sons fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org

Did the geographic positioning of the tribes fulfill Jacob's blessing? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Asher

Asher: A City of Shechem

Asher: Son of Jacob, by Zilpah

Asher: Son of Jacob, by Zilpah: Descendants of

the Tribe of Asher: Aided in Hezekiah's Reformation

the Tribe of Asher: Assisted Gideon Against the Midianites

the Tribe of Asher: Bordered on the Sea

the Tribe of Asher: Bounds of Their Inheritance

the Tribe of Asher: Descended Form Jacob's Eighth Son

the Tribe of Asher: did not Fully Drive out Canaanites

the Tribe of Asher: Encamped Next To, and Under the Standard of Dan, North of The

the Tribe of Asher: Families of

the Tribe of Asher: Offering of, at the Dedication

the Tribe of Asher: Officers Place Over, by Solomon

the Tribe of Asher: On Ebal, Said Amen to the Curses of the Law

the Tribe of Asher: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land

the Tribe of Asher: Persons Selected From: To Number the People

the Tribe of Asher: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land

the Tribe of Asher: Predictions Concerning

the Tribe of Asher: Remarkable Persons of

the Tribe of Asher: Reproved for not Aiding Against Sisera

the Tribe of Asher: some of, at Coronation of David

the Tribe of Asher: Strength of on Entering Canaan

the Tribe of Asher: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt

the Tribe of Asher: The Centre of the Fourth Division of Israel in Its Journeys

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families by John

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families by Moses

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Allotment To, of Land in Canaan

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Join Hezekiah

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Station of, in Camp

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Summoned by Gideon

Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Upbraided by Deborah

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the Tribe of Asher: Encamped Next To, and Under the Standard of Dan, North of The
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