Lexical Summary ashir: Rich, wealthy Original Word: עָשִׁיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rich man From ashar; rich, whether literal or figurative (noble) -- rich (man). see HEBREW ashar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ashar Definition rich NASB Translation rich (13), rich man (6), rich man's (2), rich men (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָשִׁיר23 adjective and noun rich; — absolute ׳ע Exodus 30:15 19t.; plural absolute עֲשִׁירִים Ecclesiastes 10:6; construct עֲשִׁירֵי Psalm 45:13; suffix עֲשִׁירֶיהָ Micah 6:12; — adjective masculine 2 Samuel 12:1,4 (opposed to רָאשׁ), Ruth 3:10 (opposed to רַּל); usually noun masculine the rich, opposed to רַּל, Proverbs 10:15 3t.; opposed to רָשׁ 2 Samuel 12:2; Proverbs 14:20 4t.; opposed to אֶבְיוֺן Psalm 49:3; alone Jeremiah 9:22; Micah 6:12 5t., + עֲשִׁירֵי עָם Psalm 45:13; ׳ע Isaiah 53:9 is probably corrupt, compare "" רְשָׁעִים; Bö Ry Di-Kit עשֵֹׁי רַע; Krochm Gr CheHpt conjecture רְשָׁעִים for ׳ע and מּשְׁעִים for ׳ר. Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope and DistributionThe term describes persons of substantial material resources. Its twenty-three occurrences span Torah (Exodus), Historical Books (Ruth; Samuel), Wisdom literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah). Contexts range from legal regulation to parabolic indictment, from royal court etiquette to messianic prophecy. Equality before God despite Economic Difference Exodus 30:15 sets the tone for later revelation: “The rich are not to give more and the poor are not to give less than half a shekel when you present the LORD’s offering to make atonement for your lives”. Atonement price is fixed, teaching that redemption rests on divine provision, not on human assets. In Ruth 3:10 Boaz commends Ruth for not pursuing “young men, whether rich or poor,” reinforcing that covenant faithfulness transcends financial status. Narratives Exposing Abuse of Privilege Nathan’s parable (2 Samuel 12:1–4) contrasts “a rich man [who] had a great number of sheep and cattle” with a poor neighbor possessing one ewe lamb. The rich man’s seizure of that lamb illustrates how unchecked affluence fosters oppression. Micah echoes the indictment: “For the rich men of the city are full of violence” (Micah 6:12). Wisdom Literature: Fortified Cities and False Security Proverbs supplies a theology of wealth that is both realistic and cautionary: • “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city” (Proverbs 10:15; cf. 18:11). These sayings recognize the social power of wealth but expose its illusory permanence and the pride it can breed. Ecclesiastes adds that “the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12), revealing the anxiety attached to possessions. Prophetic Critique and Ethical Demand Jeremiah warns, “Let not the rich man boast in his riches” (Jeremiah 9:23). Isaiah denounces corrupt courts yet unexpectedly notes that the Suffering Servant “was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death” (Isaiah 53:9). The wealthy tomb donated by Joseph of Arimathea fulfills this prophecy, turning an emblem of privilege into a witness of redemption. Social Equality and Divine Sovereignty Proverbs 22:2 succinctly states, “The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is Maker of them all.” Economic stratification never negates the shared imago Dei. Consequently, Proverbs 22:16 warns leaders against policies that “oppress the poor to enrich oneself or [that] give gifts to the rich—both lead only to poverty.” Christological and Eschatological Dimensions The burial of Jesus in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9 fulfilled in Matthew 27:57–60) shows divine orchestration over human wealth. The New Testament continues the Hebrew theme, proclaiming that Christ, “though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9), thus redeeming both rich and poor. Ministry Implications 1. Gospel proclamation must be impartial (James 2:1–9 derives from the same Old Testament ethic). Summary Throughout Scripture the rich are portrayed neither as automatically blessed nor inherently condemned; rather, their resources test the heart. God’s law establishes equality, wisdom warns of pride, prophets denounce exploitation, and the Messiah transforms even a wealthy tomb into a sign of hope. Proper stewardship, humility, and compassion become the divine expectation for all who possess much in this age while awaiting “an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1:4). Forms and Transliterations הֶֽעָשִׁ֣יר הֶֽעָשִׁיר֒ העשיר וְ֝עָשִׁ֗יר וַעֲשִׁירִ֖ים ועשיר ועשירים לְ֝עָשִׁ֗יר לְעָשִׁ֗יר לֶֽעָשִׁ֔יר לעשיר עֲשִׁ֣ירֵי עֲשִׁירֶ֙יהָ֙ עָ֭שִׁיר עָשִֽׁיר׃ עָשִׁ֑יר עָשִׁ֖יר עָשִׁ֣יר עָשִׁ֥יר עשיר עשיר׃ עשירי עשיריה ‘ă·šî·rê ‘ă·šî·re·hā ‘ā·šîr ‘āšîr ‘ăšîrê ‘ăšîrehā aShir aShirei ashiReiha he‘āšîr he·‘ā·šîr heaShir le‘āšîr lə‘āšîr le·‘ā·šîr lə·‘ā·šîr leaShir vaashiRim veaShir wa‘ăšîrîm wa·‘ă·šî·rîm wə‘āšîr wə·‘ā·šîrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 30:15 HEB: הֶֽעָשִׁ֣יר לֹֽא־ יַרְבֶּ֗ה NAS: The rich shall not pay more KJV: The rich shall not give more, INT: the rich shall not pay Ruth 3:10 2 Samuel 12:1 2 Samuel 12:2 2 Samuel 12:4 Job 27:19 Psalm 45:12 Psalm 49:2 Proverbs 10:15 Proverbs 14:20 Proverbs 18:11 Proverbs 18:23 Proverbs 22:2 Proverbs 22:7 Proverbs 22:16 Proverbs 28:6 Proverbs 28:11 Ecclesiastes 5:12 Ecclesiastes 10:6 Ecclesiastes 10:20 Isaiah 53:9 Jeremiah 9:23 Micah 6:12 23 Occurrences |
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