788. Ashbel
Lexical Summary
Ashbel: Ashbel

Original Word: אַשְׁבֵּל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ashbel
Pronunciation: ash-bale'
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-bale')
KJV: Ashbel
NASB: Ashbel
Word Origin: [probably from the same as H7640 (שׁוֹבֶל - skirt)]

1. flowing
2. Ashbel, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Ashbel

Probably from the same as shebel; flowing; Ashbel, an Israelite -- Ashbel.

see HEBREW shebel

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
the second son of Benjamin
NASB Translation
Ashbel (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אַשְׁבֵּל proper name, masculine (= אַשְׁבְּאֵל ? so Thes; more likely אֶשְׁבַּעַל) 2nd son of Benjamin Genesis 46:21 (ᵐ5 Ἀσβηλ) Numbers 26:38 (ᵐ5 Ἀσυβηρ) 1 Chronicles 8:1 (ᵐ5 B Σαβα, A & ᵐ5L Ἀσβηλ).

Topical Lexicon
Name and Lineage

Ashbel appears in the patriarchal lists as a son of Benjamin, grandson of Jacob and Rachel. His name is preserved among the heads of families that journeyed to Egypt (Genesis 46:21) and later emerged as sub-clans within the tribe of Benjamin. Through Ashbel, the tribe’s population and inheritance were organized, reinforcing the continuity of God’s covenant promises from the patriarchs to the nation.

Occurrences in Scripture

Genesis 46:21 records the original household of Benjamin as Jacob enters Egypt: “And the sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard”.

Numbers 26:38 cites Ashbel again during the wilderness census: “The sons of Benjamin by their clans were Bela, the Belaite clan; Ashbel, the Ashbelite clan; Ahiram, the Ahiramite clan”.

1 Chronicles 8:1 mirrors the family genealogy for post-exilic Israel: “Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second son, Aharah the third”.

Role in the Tribal Records

1. Census Identification: The mention in Numbers underscores the Ashbelites as a recognized clan at Sinai. Their inclusion attests to God’s preservation of family identity through centuries of slavery and wilderness wandering.
2. Territorial Allotment: Although Scripture does not list a specific town by his name, the Ashbelite clan would have received an assigned portion within Benjamin’s land (Joshua 18). Their boundaries contributed to the strategic region surrounding Jerusalem.

Spiritual Lessons and Theological Significance

• Covenant Continuity: From Genesis to Chronicles the lineage of Ashbel confirms that God’s unfolding plan travels through ordinary, often anonymous, families. Even without individual exploits, Ashbel’s descendants maintain the thread of promise that finally culminates in the Messiah.
• Corporate Identity: The Ashbelites illustrate that spiritual heritage is not merely personal but communal. Each clan’s census total determined military availability, worship representation, and inheritance, showing that every believer contributes to the vitality of God’s people.
• Remnant Faithfulness: Benjamin, though small, remained crucial in redemptive history—producing leaders such as King Saul, Mordecai, and the Apostle Paul. The Ashbel line participates in this testimony that God delights to use what is “least” for His glory.

Connections in Redemptive History

The tribe of Benjamin guarded the southern frontier near Jerusalem, later absorbing exiles from the northern tribes and standing with Judah when the kingdom divided. Thus, the house of Ashbel indirectly sheltered the temple precincts and the lineage of David. In New Testament perspective, Paul’s declaration, “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up… a Pharisee… of the tribe of Benjamin” (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5), reminds believers that the Ashbelites helped preserve a tribal identity through which the gospel messenger would arise.

Applications for the Church Today

• Valuing Unsung Service: Like Ashbel, many believers serve in ways unrewarded by history books yet fully recorded in heaven.
• Guarding Gospel Heritage: Modern congregations, inheritors of the faith passed down through innumerable “Ashbels,” must steward sound doctrine and covenant loyalty for future generations.
• Celebrating Diversity within Unity: The Ashbelites demonstrate that distinctive families and cultures enrich the single people of God, calling the Church to honor varied backgrounds while confessing one Lord.

In the tapestry of Scripture, Ashbel’s brief mentions weave a sturdy thread that binds patriarchal promise, national formation, and New Testament mission into a seamless witness of God’s faithful grace.

Forms and Transliterations
אַשְׁבֵּל֙ אשבל וְאַשְׁבֵּ֔ל ואשבל לְאַשְׁבֵּ֕ל לאשבל ’aš·bêl ’ašbêl ashBel lə’ašbêl lə·’aš·bêl leashBel veashBel wə’ašbêl wə·’aš·bêl
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 46:21
HEB: בֶּ֤לַע וָבֶ֙כֶר֙ וְאַשְׁבֵּ֔ל גֵּרָ֥א וְנַעֲמָ֖ן
NAS: and Becher and Ashbel, Gera
KJV: and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera,
INT: Bela and Becher and Ashbel Gera and Naaman

Numbers 26:38
HEB: מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַבַּלְעִ֔י לְאַשְׁבֵּ֕ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאַשְׁבֵּלִ֑י
NAS: of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family
KJV: of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family
INT: the family of the Belaites of Ashbel the family of the Ashbelites

1 Chronicles 8:1
HEB: בֶּ֣לַע בְּכֹר֑וֹ אַשְׁבֵּל֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְאַחְרַ֖ח
NAS: his firstborn, Ashbel the second,
KJV: his firstborn, Ashbel the second,
INT: of Bela his firstborn Ashbel the second Aharah

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 788
3 Occurrences


’aš·bêl — 1 Occ.
lə·’aš·bêl — 1 Occ.
wə·’aš·bêl — 1 Occ.

787
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