The term "Abiezrite" refers to the descendants of Abiezer, who was a member of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Abiezer is recognized as the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, as outlined in the genealogical records of the Old Testament. The Abiezrites are most notably associated with the family of Gideon, a prominent judge of Israel.

Genealogy and Tribal Affiliation

Abiezer is listed among the sons of Gilead in the genealogies of the tribe of Manasseh. In 1 Chronicles 7:18, the Berean Standard Bible states: "His sister Hammolecheth gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah." This positions Abiezer as a significant figure within the half-tribe of Manasseh, which settled on the west side of the Jordan River.

Gideon and the Abiezrites

The most notable Abiezrite in the biblical narrative is Gideon, who is introduced in the Book of Judges. Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, was the son of Joash the Abiezrite. Judges 6:11 records: "Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites."

Gideon's account is central to the narrative of the Abiezrites, as he was called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. Despite his initial hesitance and the small size of his army, Gideon led the Israelites to a miraculous victory, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness.

Settlement and Territory

The Abiezrites were settled in the region of Ophrah, which is identified as the hometown of Gideon. This area was part of the larger territory allocated to the tribe of Manasseh. The specific location of Ophrah is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been situated in the hill country of Ephraim, within the boundaries of the western half-tribe of Manasseh.

Cultural and Historical Context

The Abiezrites, like other clans within the tribes of Israel, were part of a tribal society that was organized around family and kinship ties. Their identity was closely linked to their ancestral lineage, and they played a role in the broader narrative of Israel's history during the period of the Judges.

The account of Gideon and the Abiezrites highlights themes of faith, divine intervention, and the deliverance of Israel from its enemies. It also reflects the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges.

References in Scripture

The Abiezrites are mentioned in several passages within the Book of Judges, particularly in relation to Gideon's exploits. Judges 6:34 notes: "So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him." This indicates the Abiezrites' involvement in the military campaign against the Midianites.

Additionally, Judges 8:2 records Gideon's diplomatic response to the Ephraimites: "But he said to them, 'What have I accomplished now in comparison with you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?'" This statement underscores the significance of the Abiezrites within the context of the tribal dynamics of Israel.

The Abiezrites, through their association with Gideon, are remembered as a clan that played a pivotal role in one of Israel's most celebrated victories during the time of the Judges.Father of help, a descendant of Abiezer (Judges 6:11, 24; 8:32). ABIEZRITE

ab-i-ez'-rit, a-bi-ez'-rit: The Gentile adjective of ABIEZER, which see.

33. Abi Haezri -- a descendant of Abiezer
... Abiezrites. Word Origin from Abiezer Definition a desc. of Abiezer NASB
Word Usage Abiezrite (1), Abiezrites (2). Abiezrite. From ...
/hebrew/33.htm - 6kAbiezrite (1 Occurrence)
...ABIEZRITE. ab-i-ez'-rit, a-bi-ez'-rit: The Gentile adjective of ABIEZER, which
see. Multi-Version Concordance Abiezrite (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/abiezrite.htm - 7k

Ophrah (9 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11, etc.). It was, indeed, family property, belonging to Joash
the Abiezrite, the father of Gideon. It was apparently not ...
/o/ophrah.htm - 13k

Oak-tree (11 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11 Now the angel of the Lord came and took his seat under the oak-tree
in Ophrah, in the field of Joash the Abiezrite; and his son Gideon was crushing ...
/o/oak-tree.htm - 10k

Winepress (19 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11 The angel of Yahweh came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah,
that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon was beating out ...
/w/winepress.htm - 14k

Terebinth (15 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11 And the angel of Jehovah came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah,
that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon was beating ...
/t/terebinth.htm - 15k

Threshed (7 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was
in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed ...
/t/threshed.htm - 8k

Pertained (18 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11 The angel of Yahweh came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah,
that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon was beating out ...
/p/pertained.htm - 12k

Abi-ezrite (2 Occurrences)
Abi-ezrite. Abiezrite, Abi-ezrite. Abiez'rite . Multi-Version Concordance ... (Root
in WBS YLT). Abiezrite, Abi-ezrite. Abiez'rite . Reference Bible.
/a/abi-ezrite.htm - 7k

Abi-e'zer (6 Occurrences)
Abi-e'zer. Abi-ezer, Abi-e'zer. Abiezrite . Multi-Version Concordance
Abi-e'zer (6 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Abi-ezer, Abi-e'zer. Abiezrite . Reference
/a/abi-e'zer.htm - 8k

Beating (31 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:11 The angel of Yahweh came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah,
that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon was beating out ...
/b/beating.htm - 16k

Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.org

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