836. Asher
Lexical Summary
Asher: Asher

Original Word: אָשֵׁר
Part of Speech: Proper Name
Transliteration: Asher
Pronunciation: ah-SHARE
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-share')
KJV: Asher
NASB: Asher
Word Origin: [from H833 (אָשַׁר אָשֵׁר - guide), happy]

1. Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory
2. also a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Asher

From 'ashar, happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in Palestine -- Asher

see HEBREW 'ashar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ashar
Definition
"happy one," a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, also perhaps a city in Pal.
NASB Translation
Asher (43).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אָשֵׁר proper name, masculine Asher (happy one, Felix, compare Phoenician אשרשלח, which however may contain (god) Asshur or Osiris, compare BaeRel 161).

1 son of Jacob and Zilpah Genesis 30:13; Genesis 35:26; Genesis 46:17; Exodus 1:4; Numbers 26:46; 1 Chronicles 2:2.

2 the tribe Genesis 49:20; Numbers 1:13; Deuteronomy 27:13; Deuteronomy 33:24 (twice in verse); Joshua 17:10,11; Joshua 19:34; Judges 1:31; Judges 5:17; Judges 6:36; Judges 7:23; 1 Kings 4:16; 1 Chronicles 12:36; 2Chronicles 30:11; Ezekiel 48:2,3,34; בְּנֵי אָשֵׁר Numbers 1:40; Numbers 2:27; Numbers 7:72; Numbers 10:26; Numbers 26:44,47; Numbers 34:27; Joshua 19:24,31; 1 Chronicles 7:30,40; מַטֵּה אָשֵׁר Numbers 1:41; Numbers 2:27; Numbers 13:13; Joshua 21:6,30; 1 Chronicles 6:47; 1 Chronicles 6:59.

3. proper name, of a location city east of Shechem Joshua 17:7.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Thematic Emphasis

The name evokes gladness and blessing, and every Old Testament appearance reinforces the theme of divinely granted abundance—whether of food, oil, strength, or spiritual favor.

Patriarchal Birth and Early Blessing

Genesis 30:13 records Leah’s joyful proclamation: “How happy I am! For the women will call me happy.” So the child born to Zilpah is named Asher, and from the outset happiness is linked to his identity. Later, the family list in Genesis 35:26 and the migration roll in Genesis 46:17 treat Asher as one of the foundational “seventy” who entered Egypt.

Jacob’s Prophetic Word (Genesis 49:20)

“From Asher his food will be rich, and he shall provide royal delicacies.” The patriarch foresees the tribe’s agricultural plenty and the privilege of supplying courts and kings. The prediction is fulfilled in the fertile, coastal-hill country the tribe later inherits.

Moses’ Farewell Blessing (Deuteronomy 33:24-25)

“May Asher be most blessed of sons; may he be the favorite of his brothers and dip his foot in oil. Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.” Two images dominate:
• Olive oil gushing so profusely that feet are dipped in it—symbol of prosperity and anointing.
• Iron-and-bronze bars—security and enduring vigor. These words knit together material abundance and sustained strength, themes that surface whenever the tribe appears.

Census and Camp in the Wilderness

Numbers 1:41 counts 41,500 fighting men; Numbers 2:27 places Asher on the northern side of the camp under Dan’s standard; Numbers 26:47 records an increase to 53,400 in the second census. Thus the tribe grows while journeying with the presence of God at its center, a living testimony to covenant faithfulness.

Territorial Allotment in Canaan

Joshua 19:24-31 delineates a coastal-Galilean inheritance sweeping from Carmel northward toward Sidon. The tract includes fertile valleys, coastal plains, and forested highlands—ideal for grain, vineyards, and especially olives. Cities such as Acco (Ptolemais), Aphek, Helkath, and Tyre’s vicinity fall within or border Asher’s lot, fulfilling Jacob’s picture of “royal delicacies.”

Historical Participation in Israel’s Story

• Failure to expel Canaanites (Judges 1:31-32) shows mixed obedience; they dwell “among the Canaanites,” exposing later generations to idolatrous pressure.
• Deborah’s era: “Asher remained by the seashore and stayed in his coves” (Judges 5:17). Their absence from the battlefield contrasts with their later responsiveness to Gideon (Judges 6:35; 7:23).
• United Monarchy: 1 Chronicles 12:36 lists forty thousand expert warriors from Asher rallying to David—proof of martial capability when hearts are stirred by a God-chosen king.
• Hezekiah’s Passover: though despised by many in the northern kingdom, “some from Asher… humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 30:11). A remnant answer the call to covenant renewal.

Prophetic Allocation in Ezekiel’s Vision

Ezekiel 48 assigns Asher a strip of land in the future restored Israel (verses 2–3, 7, 23, 26-27, 34). The tribe’s name is even inscribed on one of the gates of the New City (48:34), guaranteeing enduring identity and blessing in the Messianic age.

Legacy into the New Testament Era

Luke 2:36 introduces “Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.” Centuries after the exile, Asherite lineage survives, and an aged worshiper bears witness to the infant Messiah. The tribe once famed for “delicacies” now offers the highest gift—public testimony to Jesus Christ.

Theological and Ministry Insights

1. God Delights to Bless. From birth to final prophecy, Asher illustrates that divine favor is not a fleeting emotion but a covenant reality.
2. Abundance Must Be Shared. Royal delicacies and overflowing oil hint at ministry to others; believers, like Asher, are stewards of plenty meant for the King’s table.
3. Strength Matches Days. Moses’ promise of iron-and-bronze security couples with the exhortation to persevere; physical borders and spiritual resolve both come from the Lord.
4. Remnant Faithfulness. Whether joining David or Hezekiah, Asher shows that individuals can rise above a tribe’s earlier failures and choose obedience.
5. Enduring Identity in Christ. Anna’s witness and Ezekiel’s gate confirm that God preserves names written in His plan; tribal distinctives find ultimate fulfillment in the redeemed community around the Messiah.

Selected Key References

Genesis 30:13; 35:26; 46:17

Genesis 49:20

Exodus 1:4

Numbers 1:41; 2:27; 26:47

Deuteronomy 27:13; 33:24-25

Joshua 19:24-31

Judges 1:31-32; 5:17; 6:35; 7:23

1 Chronicles 7:30-40; 12:36

2 Chronicles 30:11

Ezekiel 48:2-34

Luke 2:36-38

Asher’s forty-three Old Testament occurrences trace a line from joyful birth to prophetic future, consistently displaying the goodness of God and inviting every generation to walk in the same blessed happiness.

Forms and Transliterations
אָ֠שֵׁר אָשֵֽׁר׃ אָשֵׁ֑ר אָשֵׁ֔ר אָשֵׁ֖ר אָשֵׁ֗ר אָשֵׁ֜ר אָשֵׁ֥ר אָשֵׁר֙ אָשֵׁר֮ אשר אשר׃ בְּאָשֵׁ֖ר בְּאָשֵׁ֤ר באשר וְאָשֵֽׁר׃ וְאָשֵׁ֑ר וְאָשֵׁ֔ר וּבְאָשֵׁ֗ר וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ וּלְאָשֵׁ֣ר וּמֵאָשֵׁ֗ר ואשר ואשר׃ ובאשר ולאשר ומאשר לְאָשֵׁ֕ר לאשר מֵֽאָשֵׁ֔ר מֵאָשֵׁ֖ר מֵאָשֵׁ֥ר מאשר ’ā·šêr ’āšêr aSher bə’āšêr bə·’ā·šêr beaSher lə’āšêr lə·’ā·šêr leaSher mê’āšêr mê·’ā·šêr meaSher ū·ḇə·’ā·šêr ū·lə·’ā·šêr ū·mê·’ā·šêr ūḇə’āšêr ūlə’āšêr uleaSher ūmê’āšêr umeaSher uveaSher veaSher wə’āšêr wə·’ā·šêr
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 30:13
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ אָשֵֽׁר׃
NAS: me happy. So she named him Asher.
KJV: and she called his name Asher.
INT: will call his name Asher

Genesis 35:26
HEB: לֵאָ֖ה גָּ֣ד וְאָשֵׁ֑ר אֵ֚לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י
NAS: Gad and Asher. These
KJV: Gad, and Asher: these [are] the sons
INT: Leah's Gad and Asher These are the sons

Genesis 46:17
HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֗ר יִמְנָ֧ה וְיִשְׁוָ֛ה
NAS: The sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah
KJV: And the sons of Asher; Jimnah,
INT: the sons of Asher Imnah and Ishvah

Genesis 49:20
HEB: מֵאָשֵׁ֖ר שְׁמֵנָ֣ה לַחְמ֑וֹ
NAS: As for Asher, his food shall be rich,
KJV: Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat,
INT: Asher shall be rich his food

Exodus 1:4
HEB: וְנַפְתָּלִ֖י גָּ֥ד וְאָשֵֽׁר׃
NAS: and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
KJV: and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
INT: and Naphtali Gad and Asher

Numbers 1:13
HEB: לְאָשֵׁ֕ר פַּגְעִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־
NAS: of Asher, Pagiel the son
KJV: Of Asher; Pagiel the son
INT: of Asher Pagiel the son

Numbers 1:40
HEB: לִבְנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֔ר תּוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
NAS: Of the sons of Asher, their genealogical registration
KJV: Of the children of Asher, by their generations,
INT: of the sons of Asher their genealogical their families

Numbers 1:41
HEB: פְּקֻדֵיהֶ֖ם לְמַטֵּ֣ה אָשֵׁ֑ר אֶחָ֧ד וְאַרְבָּעִ֛ים
NAS: men of the tribe of Asher [were] 41,500.
KJV: of them, [even] of the tribe of Asher, [were] forty
INT: were numbered the tribe of Asher and one forty

Numbers 2:27
HEB: עָלָ֖יו מַטֵּ֣ה אָשֵׁ֑ר וְנָשִׂיא֙ לִבְנֵ֣י
NAS: to him [shall be] the tribe of Asher, and the leader
KJV: by him [shall be] the tribe of Asher: and the captain
INT: next to him the tribe of Asher and the leader of the sons

Numbers 2:27
HEB: וְנָשִׂיא֙ לִבְנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֔ר פַּגְעִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־
NAS: of the sons of Asher: Pagiel
KJV: of the children of Asher [shall be] Pagiel
INT: and the leader of the sons of Asher Pagiel the son

Numbers 7:72
HEB: נָשִׂ֖יא לִבְנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֑ר פַּגְעִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־
NAS: leader of the sons of Asher;
KJV: of the children of Asher, [offered]:
INT: leader the son of Asher Pagiel of the sons

Numbers 10:26
HEB: מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֑ר פַּגְעִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־
NAS: army of the sons of Asher;
KJV: of the children of Asher [was] Pagiel
INT: the tribal the son of Asher and Pagiel of the sons

Numbers 13:13
HEB: לְמַטֵּ֣ה אָשֵׁ֔ר סְת֖וּר בֶּן־
NAS: from the tribe of Asher, Sethur
KJV: Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son
INT: the tribe of Asher Sethur the son

Numbers 26:44
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י אָשֵׁר֮ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְיִמְנָ֗ה
NAS: The sons of Asher according to their families:
KJV: [Of] the children of Asher after their families:
INT: the sons of Asher to their families of Imnah

Numbers 26:46
HEB: וְשֵׁ֥ם בַּת־ אָשֵׁ֖ר שָֽׂרַח׃
NAS: of the daughter of Asher [was] Serah.
KJV: of the daughter of Asher [was] Sarah.
INT: the name of the daughter of Asher Serah

Numbers 26:47
HEB: מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת בְּנֵי־ אָשֵׁ֖ר לִפְקֻדֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁלֹשָׁ֧ה
NAS: of the sons of Asher according to those who were numbered
KJV: of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered
INT: the families of the sons of Asher were numbered and three

Numbers 34:27
HEB: וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵי־ אָשֵׁ֖ר נָשִׂ֑יא אֲחִיה֖וּד
NAS: of the sons of Asher a leader,
KJV: of the children of Asher, Ahihud
INT: of the tribe of the sons of Asher A leader Ahihud

Deuteronomy 27:13
HEB: רְאוּבֵן֙ גָּ֣ד וְאָשֵׁ֔ר וּזְבוּלֻ֖ן דָּ֥ן
NAS: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan,
KJV: Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun,
INT: Reuben Gad Asher Zebulun Dan

Deuteronomy 33:24
HEB: וּלְאָשֵׁ֣ר אָמַ֔ר בָּר֥וּךְ
NAS: Of Asher he said, More
KJV: And of Asher he said, [Let] Asher
INT: of Asher said blessed

Deuteronomy 33:24
HEB: בָּר֥וּךְ מִבָּנִ֖ים אָשֵׁ֑ר יְהִ֤י רְצוּי֙
NAS: sons is Asher; May he be favored
KJV: he said, [Let] Asher [be] blessed
INT: blessed sons is Asher become may he be favored

Joshua 17:7
HEB: גְבוּל־ מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מֵֽאָשֵׁ֔ר הַֽמִּכְמְתָ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר
NAS: ran from Asher to Michmethath
KJV: of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah,
INT: the border of Manasseh Asher to Michmethath which

Joshua 17:10
HEB: הַיָּ֖ם גְּבוּל֑וֹ וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ יִפְגְּע֣וּן מִצָּפ֔וֹן
NAS: and they reached to Asher on the north
KJV: and they met together in Asher on the north,
INT: and the sea was their border to Asher reached side

Joshua 17:11
HEB: לִמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה בְּיִשָּׂשכָ֣ר וּבְאָשֵׁ֗ר בֵּית־ שְׁאָ֣ן
NAS: In Issachar and in Asher, Manasseh had
KJV: had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean
INT: Manasseh Issachar Asher Beth-shean towns

Joshua 19:24
HEB: לְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־ אָשֵׁ֖ר לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָֽם׃
NAS: of the sons of Asher according to their families.
KJV: of the children of Asher according to their families.
INT: to the tribe of the sons of Asher to their families

Joshua 19:31
HEB: מַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־ אָשֵׁ֖ר לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם הֶעָרִ֥ים
NAS: of the sons of Asher according to their families,
KJV: of the children of Asher according to their families,
INT: of the tribe of the sons of Asher to their families cities

43 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 836
43 Occurrences


’ā·šêr — 28 Occ.
bə·’ā·šêr — 2 Occ.
lə·’ā·šêr — 1 Occ.
mê·’ā·šêr — 3 Occ.
ū·lə·’ā·šêr — 1 Occ.
ū·mê·’ā·šêr — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·’ā·šêr — 3 Occ.
wə·’ā·šêr — 4 Occ.

835
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