Lexical Summary Ashbel: Ashbel Original Word: אַשְׁבֵּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ashbel Probably from the same as shebel; flowing; Ashbel, an Israelite -- Ashbel. see HEBREW shebel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof 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. 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. 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. 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·bêlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 1 Chronicles 8:1 3 Occurrences |
    |