Lexical Summary osher: Happiness, blessedness, prosperity Original Word: אֹשֶׁר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance happy From 'ashar; happiness -- happy. see HEBREW 'ashar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ashar Definition happiness NASB Translation happy (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [א֫שֶׁר] noun [masculine] happiness, only suffix בְּאָשְׁרִי in my happiness Genesis 30:13 (J). Topical Lexicon Biblical UsageThe expression appears once, when Leah rejoices at the birth of Jacob’s eighth son: “Then Leah said, ‘How happy I am! For women will call me blessed.’ So she named him Asher” (Genesis 30:13). In this single setting the word serves as Leah’s spontaneous cry of joy, capturing her sense of divinely granted happiness and public recognition of blessing. Historical Context The scene unfolds during the intense rivalry between Leah and Rachel. Childbearing in the patriarchal era was tied to inheritance, social honor, and the unfolding covenant promises first given to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). Leah, previously overshadowed by Rachel, now experiences a surge of hope that the broader community (“women”) will view her with honor. Asher, whose name echoes her declaration, later becomes a tribe known for abundant provision (Genesis 49:20) and favor (Deuteronomy 33:24-25). Thus, the word’s original note of happiness foreshadows a corporate blessedness enjoyed by Asher’s descendants in the land. Theological Significance 1. Source of Joy: Leah’s joy is explicitly God-centered; every birth in the narrative is attributed to the Lord’s providence (Genesis 29:31; 30:17). Happiness is therefore not self-generated but a gift granted within God’s redemptive program. 2. Public Testimony: Leah expects others to “call me blessed.” Genuine blessedness is meant to be recognized and celebrated by the covenant community, directing praise back to the Lord (Psalm 34:2-3). 3. Covenant Continuity: The word links personal experience to the larger divine plan. Leah’s momentary happiness participates in the unfolding genealogy that will ultimately lead to the Messiah (Matthew 1:2-16). Her cry becomes part of salvation history. Links to Broader Biblical Themes • Blessedness and Righteous Living: Later wisdom literature employs related terms to describe those who delight in God’s law (Psalm 1:1-2) or walk in integrity (Proverbs 8:32-34), connecting inward joy with obedient faith. • Joy amid Struggle: Leah’s life illustrates that deep satisfaction may arise even in situations of disappointment and relational tension, anticipating New Testament teaching that joy can coexist with trials (James 1:2-4; Philippians 4:4-7). • Prophetic Echoes: Jacob’s and Moses’ blessings on Asher extend Leah’s initial exclamation into promises of fertile land, strength, and favor, demonstrating how a single word of happiness can expand into multi-generational assurance. Applications for Ministry • Celebrate Evident Grace: Encourage believers to voice gratitude publicly, allowing testimonies of God’s goodness to edify the body. • Affirm God-Given Identity: As Leah’s proclamation shaped Asher’s identity, so spoken blessings can reinforce the church’s understanding of its calling in Christ (1 Peter 2:9-10). • Counsel toward Contentment: Leah’s experience urges pastors to help congregants recognize divine blessings even when life circumstances feel competitive or unjust. Connection with New Testament Teaching The Septuagint often renders related Hebrew ideas with makarios, the term used by Jesus in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Leah’s cry thus anticipates the Savior’s declaration of true blessedness grounded in God’s kingdom, not merely in favorable circumstances. Paul echoes this perspective by linking contentment to God’s provision (Philippians 4:11-13) and by urging the rich “to be rich in good works” so they may lay hold of “that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). The thread from Leah’s joyful word to apostolic teaching underscores the Bible’s consistent testimony: authentic happiness arises from God’s gracious initiative and finds its fulfillment in Christ. Forms and Transliterations בְּאָשְׁרִ֕י באשרי bə’āšərî bə·’ā·šə·rî beasheRiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 30:13 HEB: וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לֵאָ֔ה בְּאָשְׁרִ֕י כִּ֥י אִשְּׁר֖וּנִי NAS: said, Happy am I! For women KJV: said, Happy am I, for the daughters INT: said Leah Happy for happy 1 Occurrence |
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