6214. Asahel
Lexical Summary
Asahel: Asahel

Original Word: עֲשָׂהאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Asah'el
Pronunciation: ah-sah-HEL
Phonetic Spelling: (as-aw-ale')
KJV: Asahel
NASB: Asahel
Word Origin: [from H6213 (עָשָׂה - To do) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. God has made
2. Asahel, the name of four Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Asahel

From asah and 'el; God has made; Asahel, the name of four Israelites -- Asahel.

see HEBREW asah

see HEBREW 'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from asah and el
Definition
"God has made," four Isr.
NASB Translation
Asahel (18).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֲשָׂהאֵל18 proper name, masculine Ασαηλ, ᵐ5L Ασσαηλ (on this and following compare אֶלְעָשָׂה); —

1 brother of Joab and Abishai 2 Samuel 2:18 (twice in verse) + 7 t. 2, + 2 Samuel 3:27,30; 2 Samuel 23:24; 1 Chronicles 2:16; 1 Chronicles 11:26; 1 Chronicles 27:7.

2 Levites:

a.2Chronicles 17:8 (Ιασειηλ,Ασιηλ).

b.2Chronicles 31:13.

3 post-exile name Ezra 10:15.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Family Lineage

Asahel, son of Zeruiah and nephew of David, belonged to the tribe of Judah through Jesse of Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 2:13–16). His brothers Joab and Abishai rose to become commanders in David’s army; together the three sons of Zeruiah formed the core of David’s early military leadership. The family connection to David helps explain why Asahel is always portrayed at the forefront of the king’s interests and campaigns.

Early Valor and Reputation for Speed

Scripture introduces Asahel as exceptionally swift: “Asahel was as swift-footed as a wild gazelle” (2 Samuel 2:18). His speed was not merely athletic but strategic, enabling him to serve as a runner, scout, and shock-troop fighter—a coveted skill set in the fluid warfare of David’s rise. By the time David’s kingdom was established, Asahel’s name stood among the elite warriors called “the Thirty” (2 Samuel 23:24; 1 Chronicles 11:26).

The Pursuit of Abner

The defining episode of Asahel’s life occurs during the clash between Israelite factions at Gibeon. After initial skirmishes, Abner, commander under Ish-bosheth, retreated northward. “Asahel pursued Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left” (2 Samuel 2:19). Abner twice urged him to seek another target and spare himself (2 Samuel 2:21–22). Still Asahel pressed on, driven by zeal, ambition, or perhaps the conviction that ending Abner’s leadership would hasten the reunification of Israel under David. Abner “struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear… Asahel fell there and died” (2 Samuel 2:23). The text records a moment of stunned silence: “All who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.” Asahel’s single-minded pursuit illustrates both courage and the perils of unbridled resolve.

Burial and Immediate Aftermath

Joab ended the day’s pursuit only after Abner appealed for an end to bloodshed (2 Samuel 2:26–30). Asahel’s body was carried to Bethlehem, where “they buried Asahel in his father’s tomb” (2 Samuel 2:32). His loss was deeply felt: “In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing” (2 Samuel 2:30). The burial location underscores family honor while foreshadowing David’s own Bethlehemite identity.

Blood Vengeance and Political Consequences

Ancient Israelite custom allowed the “avenger of blood” to seek justice for slain kin. Joab and Abishai eventually murdered Abner in Hebron: “Joab stabbed him in the stomach, so Abner died for the blood of Asahel his brother” (2 Samuel 3:27, 30). David publicly distanced himself from the act (2 Samuel 3:31–39) to maintain political integrity before the northern tribes. Yet the vengeance reveals how Asahel’s death continued shaping inter-tribal relations and Davidic statecraft. The event also highlights the limitations of human justice, driving attention to divine sovereignty overruling human schemes.

Military Appointment under David

Asahel’s prowess secured him command of the standing army’s fourth division: “The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel, the brother of Joab, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand” (1 Chronicles 27:7). Though listed posthumously (the roster reflects David’s full administration), the appointment recognizes Asahel’s pre-decease stature, and Zebadiah’s succession honors the fallen commander’s household.

Other Men Named Asahel

1. A teacher sent by King Jehoshaphat to instruct Judah in the Law (2 Chronicles 17:8). His inclusion among priests and Levites suggests a gifted expositor who advanced covenant faithfulness.
2. A Levite appointed by Hezekiah over temple treasuries (2 Chronicles 31:13). He helped manage the surge of tithes during the king’s reforms, safeguarding integrity in worship.
3. An ancestor of Jonathan who dissented from Ezra’s proposal to dismiss foreign wives (Ezra 10:15). The objection illustrates legitimate debate within post-exilic restoration while not impeding overall repentance.

These later Asahels show the name persisting among both royal administrators and religious servants, each positioned during periods of renewal.

Theological and Ministry Significance

• Zeal tempered by wisdom: Asahel’s relentless chase of Abner exemplifies holy zeal yet warns against impulsiveness that disregards counsel (Proverbs 19:2).
• The sanctity of justice: Joab’s avenging blood echoes Numbers 35:19, yet the splintered motives demonstrate how human vengeance can threaten unity that only God’s righteous rule secures.
• Legacy beyond life: Burial in Bethlehem links Asahel’s memory to messianic geography, and his inclusion among the Thirty grounds the ideal of fearless devotion to God’s anointed.
• Service across generations: Subsequent Asahels underscore how a name associated with devotion continues serving God’s purposes—whether through teaching, stewardship, or earnest engagement in covenant reform.
• Anticipation of the perfect King: The tragedies surrounding Asahel and Abner highlight the need for a ruler whose justice and mercy flawlessly coincide, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Son of David.

Key References

2 Samuel 2:18–23; 2 Samuel 2:30–32; 2 Samuel 3:27–30; 2 Samuel 23:24

1 Chronicles 2:15–16; 1 Chronicles 11:26; 1 Chronicles 27:7

2 Chronicles 17:8; 2 Chronicles 31:13

Ezra 10:15

Forms and Transliterations
אֵ֖ל אֵ֥ל אֵל֙ אל וַעֲשָׂה־ וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֜ל וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֡ל וַעֲשָׂהאֵל֙ ועשה־ ועשהאל עֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל עֲשָׂהאֵ֖ל עֲשָׂהאֵ֛ל עֲשָׂהאֵ֧ל עשהאל ‘ă·śā·h·’êl ‘ăśāh’êl ’êl asahEl el vaasah vaasahEl wa‘ăśāh- wa‘ăśāh’êl wa·‘ă·śā·h·’êl wa·‘ă·śāh-
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 2:18
HEB: יוֹאָ֥ב וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל וַעֲשָׂהאֵל֙ קַ֣ל
NAS: and Abishai and Asahel; and Asahel
KJV: and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel
INT: Joab and Abishai and Asahel and Asahel light

2 Samuel 2:18
HEB: וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל וַעֲשָׂהאֵל֙ קַ֣ל בְּרַגְלָ֔יו
NAS: and Asahel; and Asahel [was] [as] swift-footed
KJV: and Asahel: and Asahel [was as] light
INT: and Abishai and Asahel and Asahel light of foot

2 Samuel 2:19
HEB: וַיִּרְדֹּ֥ף עֲשָׂהאֵ֖ל אַחֲרֵ֣י אַבְנֵ֑ר
NAS: Asahel pursued Abner
KJV: And Asahel pursued after
INT: pursued Asahel following Abner

2 Samuel 2:20
HEB: הַאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה עֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָנֹֽכִי׃
NAS: him and said, Is that you, Asahel? And he answered,
KJV: him, and said, [Art] thou Asahel? And he answered,
INT: you he Asahel and said I

2 Samuel 2:21
HEB: וְלֹֽא־ אָבָ֣ה עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל לָס֖וּר מֵאַחֲרָֽיו׃
NAS: for yourself his spoil. But Asahel was not willing
KJV: thee his armour. But Asahel would
INT: was not willing Asahel to turn following

2 Samuel 2:22
HEB: לֵאמֹר֙ אֶל־ עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל ס֥וּר לְךָ֖
NAS: again to Asahel, Turn aside
KJV: again to Asahel, Turn thee aside
INT: said to Asahel Turn following

2 Samuel 2:23
HEB: נָ֨פַל שָׁ֧ם עֲשָׂהאֵ֛ל וַיָּמֹ֖ת וַֽיַּעֲמֹֽדוּ׃
NAS: where Asahel had fallen
KJV: to the place where Asahel fell down
INT: had fallen there Asahel and died stood

2 Samuel 2:30
HEB: עָשָׂ֥ר אִ֖ישׁ וַעֲשָׂה־ אֵֽל׃
NAS: servants besides Asahel were missing.
KJV: nineteen men and Asahel.
INT: teen men Asahel God

2 Samuel 2:32
HEB: וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ אֶת־ עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֙הוּ֙ בְּקֶ֣בֶר
NAS: And they took up Asahel and buried
KJV: And they took up Asahel, and buried
INT: took Asahel and buried tomb

2 Samuel 3:27
HEB: בְּדַ֖ם עֲשָׂה־ אֵ֥ל אָחִֽיו׃
NAS: on account of the blood of Asahel his brother.
KJV: for the blood of Asahel his brother.
INT: died of the blood of Asahel his brother

2 Samuel 3:30
HEB: הֵמִ֜ית אֶת־ עֲשָׂהאֵ֧ל אֲחִיהֶ֛ם בְּגִבְע֖וֹן
NAS: their brother Asahel to death
KJV: their brother Asahel at Gibeon
INT: he had put Asahel their brother Gibeon

2 Samuel 23:24
HEB: עֲשָׂה־ אֵ֥ל אֲחִֽי־ יוֹאָ֖ב
NAS: Asahel the brother of Joab
KJV: Asahel the brother of Joab
INT: Asahel the brother of Joab

1 Chronicles 2:16
HEB: וְיוֹאָ֥ב וַעֲשָׂה־ אֵ֖ל שְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃
NAS: [were] Abshai, Joab and Asahel.
KJV: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
INT: Abshai Joab and Asahel and the three

1 Chronicles 11:26
HEB: הַחֲיָלִ֑ים עֲשָׂה־ אֵל֙ אֲחִ֣י יוֹאָ֔ב
NAS: of the armies [were] Asahel the brother
KJV: of the armies [were], Asahel the brother
INT: now the mighty of the armies Asahel the brother of Joab

1 Chronicles 27:7
HEB: הָרְבִיעִ֗י עֲשָׂה־ אֵל֙ אֲחִ֣י יוֹאָ֔ב
NAS: month [was] Asahel the brother
KJV: month [was] Asahel the brother
INT: month the fourth Asahel the brother of Joab

2 Chronicles 17:8
HEB: וּנְתַנְיָ֡הוּ וּזְבַדְיָ֡הוּ וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֡ל [וּשְׁמִרִימֹות כ]
NAS: Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth,
KJV: and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth,
INT: Nethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan

2 Chronicles 31:13
HEB: וַ֠עֲזַזְיָהוּ וְנַ֨חַת וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֜ל וִֽירִימ֤וֹת וְיוֹזָבָד֙
NAS: Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth,
KJV: and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth,
INT: Azaziah Nahath Asahel Jerimoth Jozabad

Ezra 10:15
HEB: יוֹנָתָ֧ן בֶּן־ עֲשָׂהאֵ֛ל וְיַחְזְיָ֥ה בֶן־
NAS: the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah
KJV: the son of Asahel and Jahaziah
INT: Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son

18 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6214
18 Occurrences


‘ă·śā·h·’êl — 8 Occ.
’êl — 5 Occ.
wa·‘ă·śāh- — 1 Occ.
wa·‘ă·śā·h·’êl — 4 Occ.

6213b
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