845. Asrieli

Lexical Summary

Asrieli: Asrielite

Original Word: אַשְׂרִאֵלִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Asri'eliy
Pronunciation: as-ree-ay-LEE
Phonetic Spelling: (as-ree-ale-ee')
KJV: Asrielites
NASB: Asrielites
Word Origin: [patronymic from H844 (אַשׂרִיאֵל - Asriel)]

1. an Asrielite (collectively) or descendant of Asriel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Asrielites

Patronymic from 'Asriy'el; an Asrielite (collectively) or descendant of Asriel -- Asrielites.

see HEBREW 'Asriy'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Asriel
Definition
desc. of Asriel
NASB Translation
Asrielites (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אַשְׂרִאֵלִי adjective, of a people ׳הָא as noun collective Numbers 26:31.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

Numbers 26:31 is the sole place where the term “Asrielite” (אַשְׂרִאֵלִי) appears: “of Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites” (Berean Standard Bible). The word designates the descendants of Asriel, one of the six sons of Gilead and a great-grandson of Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn (Numbers 26:29-32; 1 Chronicles 7:14). The mention comes within the second wilderness census taken on the plains of Moab shortly before Israel crossed the Jordan.

Genealogical Context

1. Joseph → Manasseh → Machir → Gilead → Asriel.
2. The Asrielites form one of several Manassite sub-clans listed alongside Iezer, Helek, Shechem, Shemida, and Hepher (Numbers 26:30-33).
3. Their inclusion confirms that every branch of the larger tribe would inherit a share in Canaan, fulfilling the promise first given to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and later specified for Manasseh (Joshua 17:1-6).

Historical Setting in the Wilderness Census

The second census (Numbers 26) served three purposes:
• Military readiness for the conquest of Canaan.
• Confirmation of covenant faithfulness despite the loss of an entire generation to judgment (Numbers 14:29-35).
• Allocation of future land by tribal and clan size (Numbers 26:52-56).

The Asrielites, though mentioned only once, therefore stood registered as a fighting and inheriting unit, testifying that no family line was overlooked in God’s redemptive plan.

Prophetic and Theological Implications

1. Preservation. The Asrielite name in the census illustrates the Lord’s meticulous preservation of lineage so the tribal allocations could be made with justice (Psalm 105:8-11).
2. Participation. As descendants of Joseph through Manasseh, the Asrielites shared in the double portion Joseph received (Genesis 48:5-22). This prefigures believers’ full participation in Christ’s inheritance (Romans 8:17).
3. Covenant Continuity. Their census entry reaffirms that divine promises move forward through identified families, reinforcing the reliability of Scripture’s genealogical records (Matthew 1:1-17).

Ministry Lessons

• God sees and remembers even the “minor” clans; every believer and congregation counts in His mission (Luke 12:6-7).
• Faithful record keeping supports faithful ministry: accurate rolls in Numbers encourage careful stewardship and pastoral oversight today (Acts 6:1-4).
• Heritage carries responsibility. The Asrielites’ military and land duties remind Christians that inheritance in Christ involves active engagement in spiritual warfare and kingdom service (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Though a brief notation, Strong’s Hebrew 845 underscores the comprehensive, covenant-keeping character of God who records and rewards each branch of His people.

Forms and Transliterations

הָֽאַשְׂרִֽאֵלִ֑י האשראלי hā’aśri’êlî hā·’aś·ri·’ê·lî haasrieLi

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 26:31
HEB: וְאַ֨שְׂרִיאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאַשְׂרִֽאֵלִ֑י וְשֶׁ֕כֶם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
NAS: the family of the Asrielites; and [of] Shechem,
KJV: the family of the Asrielites: and [of] Shechem,
INT: and Asriel the family of the Asrielites and Shechem the family

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 845
1 Occurrence

hā·’aś·ri·’ê·lî — 1 Occ.