The Abiezrites were a clan within the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are most notably mentioned in the context of Gideon, a prominent judge of Israel, who belonged to this clan. The name "Abiezrite" is derived from Abiezer, the son of Gilead, who was a descendant of Manasseh. The Abiezrites are primarily associated with the region of Ophrah in the territory of Manasseh.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 6:11 · The first mention of the Abiezrites occurs in the narrative of Gideon. The angel of the LORD appears to Gideon while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The text states: "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."

2. Judges 6:24 · After Gideon receives his divine commission, he builds an altar to the LORD and names it "The LORD Is Peace." The passage notes: "So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites."

3. Judges 6:34 · The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Gideon, empowering him to lead Israel against the Midianites. The verse records: "So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him."

4. Judges 8:2 · After Gideon's victory over the Midianites, there is a dispute with the Ephraimites. Gideon responds diplomatically, highlighting the role of the Abiezrites: "But he said to them, 'What have I accomplished compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?'"

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Abiezrites, as part of the tribe of Manasseh, were settled on the west side of the Jordan River. Their territory included fertile lands, which were often subject to raids by neighboring tribes, such as the Midianites. The Abiezrites' association with Gideon highlights their role in the deliverance of Israel during a time of oppression.

Gideon's leadership and the subsequent victory over the Midianites brought temporary peace to the region. The Abiezrites, through Gideon's actions, played a crucial role in this period of Israel's history. The clan's mention in the context of Gideon's account underscores their significance in the narrative of the Judges, where local leaders rose to deliver Israel from its oppressors.

Genealogical Significance:

The Abiezrites trace their lineage back to Abiezer, a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. This genealogical connection places them within the broader narrative of the tribes of Israel, each with its unique heritage and role in the unfolding account of the nation. The Abiezrites' identity as a clan within Manasseh is integral to understanding their place in the biblical narrative and their contribution to Israel's history during the time of the Judges.33. Abi Haezri -- a descendant of Abiezer
Abi Haezri. 32, 33. Abi Haezri. 34 . a descendant of Abiezer. Transliteration:
Abi Haezri Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee'-haw-ez-ree') Short Definition: Abiezrites ...
/hebrew/33.htm - 6k

44. Abiezer -- "my father is help," a Manassite, also a Benjamite
... Word Origin from ab and Ezer Definition "my father is help," a Manassite, also a
Benjamite NASB Word Usage Abiezer (6), Abiezrites (1). Abiezer. ...
/hebrew/44.htm - 6k

The Crowning of Abimelech
... And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the
sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

Abiezrites (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abiezrites (3 Occurrences). Judges 6:24 Then Gideon
built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it " Yahweh ...
/a/abiezrites.htm - 7k

Ophrah (9 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it " Yahweh
is Peace." To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. ...
/o/ophrah.htm - 13k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... 5. Gideon's Army: When the allied invaders were in camp on the plain of Jezreel,
we find Gideon, having recruited the Abiezrites and sent messengers to the ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Yahweh-shalom (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 6:24 Then Gideon made an altar there to the Lord, and gave it the name
Yahweh-shalom; to this day it is in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (BBE). ...
/y/yahweh-shalom.htm - 6k

Jehovah-shalom (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto Jehovah, and called it
Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (ASV WBS YLT). ...
/j/jehovah-shalom.htm - 7k

Jehovahshalom (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom:
unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (KJV). ...
/j/jehovahshalom.htm - 7k

Adonai-shalom (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto Jehovah, and called it
Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (See JPS). ...
/a/adonai-shalom.htm - 6k

Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence)
Abiez'rite. Abi-ezrite, Abiez'rite. Abiezrites . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY RSV). Abi-ezrite, Abiez'rite. Abiezrites . Reference Bible.
/a/abiez'rite.htm - 6k

Abi-ezrites (2 Occurrences)
Abi-ezrites. Abiezrites, Abi-ezrites. Abiez'rites . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Abiezrites, Abi-ezrites. Abiez'rites . Reference Bible.
/a/abi-ezrites.htm - 7k

Abiezer (7 Occurrences)
... of the family to which Gideon belonged, and perhaps also of the region which they
occupied (Judges 6:34; Judges 8:2). They are also called Abiezrites (Judges 6 ...
/a/abiezer.htm - 10k

Who was Gideon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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