Lexical Summary Abiasaph: Abiasaph Original Word: אֲבִיאָסָף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abiasaph From 'ab and 'acaph; father of gathering (i.e. Gatherer); Abiasaph, an Israelite -- Abiasaph. see HEBREW 'ab see HEBREW 'acaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ab and asaph Definition "my father has gathered," an Isr. name NASB Translation Abiasaph (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲבִיאָסָף proper name, masculine (my father has gathered) son (descendant) of Korah Exodus 6:24, Samaritan אביסף, so אֶבְיָסָף 1 Chronicles 6:8; 1 Chronicles 6:22; 1 Chronicles 9:19 (compare NesEg 185). Topical Lexicon Name and Lineage Abiasaph (“My father has gathered”) appears once by name in the Hebrew text: “The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clans of the Korahites.” (Exodus 6:24). He is a fourth-generation Kohathite: Levi → Kohath → Izhar → Korah → Abiasaph. His brothers are Assir and Elkanah, and from the three brothers sprang the “clans of the Korahites.” Genealogical Placement within Levi Although Exodus 6:24 is the sole occurrence of the exact form אֲבִיאָסָף, parallel genealogies use the variant “Ebiasaph” (for example, 1 Chronicles 6:37 and 1 Chronicles 9:19). These passages trace the worship leader Heman and the gatekeeper Shallum back through Ebiasaph to Korah, affirming that Abiasaph’s line endured from the wilderness generation into the monarchy. The consistent record across Torah and Chronicles underscores the unity and integrity of Scripture’s historical witness. Survival and Redemption of the Korahite Line Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16) brought swift judgment, yet the inspired text makes a striking observation: “The line of Korah, however, did not die out.” (Numbers 26:11). Abiasaph is a living testimony to the mercy extended to Korah’s household. The preservation of his descendants illustrates the biblical pattern that while God judges sin, He keeps covenantal promises and shows mercy “to a thousand generations of those who love Him” (Exodus 20:6). Priestly and Liturgical Service in Israel 1 Chronicles 9:19 records that “Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah… were gatekeepers of the entrance to the Tent.” Abiasaph’s posterity was therefore entrusted with safeguarding the sanctuary. Later, during David’s reforms, Korahites were placed over “the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent” (1 Chronicles 26:1–19). Their ministry fulfilled the Levite calling to guard holiness and facilitate worship, emphasizing the gathered people’s access to God. Legacy in the Psalms The superscriptions of Psalms 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88 attribute these compositions “to the sons of Korah.” Heman the Ezrahite—himself descended through Abiasaph (1 Chronicles 6:33–37)—is associated with Psalm 88. The rich theological depth of these psalms (trust amid exile, longing for the courts of the LORD, confidence in divine kingship) embodies the redemptive transformation of a family once marked by rebellion into a lineage of praise. New Testament Reflections The Korahite narrative, with Abiasaph as an early link, foreshadows New Covenant truths: God “is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). Just as Abiasaph’s line was gathered again for service, believers are gathered in Christ into “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). The grace shown to Korah’s house anticipates the gospel’s promise that judgment does not have the final word for those who turn to the Lord. Spiritual Lessons • Divine judgment and mercy coexist; the same passage that recounts Korah’s fall presents Abiasaph’s survival. Abiasaph, though briefly mentioned, stands at the head of a line that moved from rebellion to responsibility, from peril to praise, illustrating the enduring grace of the covenant-keeping God. Forms and Transliterations וַאֲבִיאָסָ֑ף ואביאסף vaaviaSaf wa’ăḇî’āsāp̄ wa·’ă·ḇî·’ā·sāp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 6:24 HEB: אַסִּ֥יר וְאֶלְקָנָ֖ה וַאֲבִיאָסָ֑ף אֵ֖לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת NAS: and Elkanah and Abiasaph; these KJV: and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these [are] the families INT: Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph these are the families 1 Occurrence |
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