Assir
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Topical Encyclopedia
Assir is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the Old Testament. The name "Assir" means "captive" or "prisoner" in Hebrew, which may reflect circumstances surrounding his birth or life, though the biblical text does not provide specific details about his personal history or the reason for his name.

Genealogical Context

Assir is primarily noted in the genealogical records of the tribe of Levi, specifically within the lineage of the Kohathites. The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, who were entrusted with specific duties related to the tabernacle and later the temple worship. The genealogies serve to establish the hereditary priestly and Levitical lines, which were crucial for maintaining the religious and cultic practices of Israel.

Biblical References

1. 1 Chronicles 6:22-23 : "The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son." In this passage, Assir is listed as a descendant of Kohath, through Korah. This genealogy highlights the continuity of the Levitical line through which the duties of the tabernacle were passed down.

2. Exodus 6:24 : "The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clans of the Korahites." Here, Assir is mentioned as one of the sons of Korah. The Korahites, descendants of Korah, played a significant role in the musical aspects of temple worship, as indicated in other parts of the Old Testament.

Historical and Theological Significance

The mention of Assir within the genealogies underscores the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative. The Levites, and particularly the Kohathites, were set apart for specific religious functions, and their genealogies were meticulously recorded to ensure the proper fulfillment of these roles. Assir's inclusion in these records, though brief, contributes to the broader understanding of the Levitical responsibilities and the perpetuation of worship practices in Israel.

Theologically, the genealogies, including the mention of Assir, reflect the faithfulness of God in preserving His chosen people and their religious institutions. The continuity of the Levitical line, despite challenges and periods of unfaithfulness, demonstrates God's commitment to His covenant with Israel and His provision for their spiritual leadership.

Cultural and Liturgical Role

While Assir himself is not directly associated with specific events or actions in the biblical narrative, his descendants, the Korahites, are noted for their contributions to the worship life of Israel. The Korahites were responsible for various aspects of temple service, including the composition and performance of psalms. Several psalms are attributed to the "sons of Korah," indicating their lasting impact on Israel's worship tradition.

In summary, Assir's mention in the genealogies serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Levitical priesthood and the intricate tapestry of Israel's religious history. His place within the lineage of the Kohathites highlights the importance of family heritage in the service of God and the community of faith.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Assir

prisoner; fettered

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Assir

(captive).

  1. Son of Korah. (Exodus 6:24; 1 Chronicles 6:22)
  2. Son of Ebiasaph, and a forefather of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:23,37)
  3. Son of Jeconiah, (1 Chronicles 3:17) unless "Jeconiah the captive" be the true rendering.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASSIR

as'-er (accir, "captive"):

(1) A Levite of the family of Korah (Exodus 6:24 1 Chronicles 6:22).

(2) A son of Ebiasaph and grandson of Assir. Samuel was descended from him (1 Chronicles 6:23).

(3) A son of Jeconiah, king of Judah, according to the King James Version and the Revised Version, margin and the American Revised Version, margin. It is a question whether the Assir of this passage (1 Chronicles 3:17) is not a common adjective modifying Jeconiah. The the American Standard Revised Version and the Revised Version (British and American) render it "the captive." It is to be noticed, however, that there is no definite article in the Hebrew.

Strong's Hebrew
617. Assir -- an Israelite name
... 616, 617. Assir. 618 . an Israelite name. Transliteration: Assir Phonetic Spelling:
(as-sere') Short Definition: Assir. ... name NASB Word Usage Assir (4). Assir ...
/hebrew/617.htm - 6k

616. assir -- prisoners
... 615, 616. assir. 617 . prisoners. Transliteration: assir Phonetic Spelling:
(as-sere') Short Definition: prisoners. ... 615, 616. assir. 617 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/616.htm - 6k

Library

Against Jovinianus.
... and Samuel among those who call upon his name." For [4396] Levi begat Kohath, Kohath
begat Amminadab, Amminadab begat Korah, Korah begat Assir, Assir begat ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Thesaurus
Assir (5 Occurrences)
...ASSIR. as'-er (accir, "captive"): (1) A Levite of the family of Korah (Exodus
6:24 1 Chronicles 6:22). (2) A son of Ebiasaph and grandson of Assir. ...
/a/assir.htm - 8k

Elka'nah (20 Occurrences)
... Elka'nah (20 Occurrences). Exodus 6:24 And the sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah,
and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. (See RSV). ...
/e/elka'nah.htm - 11k

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Elkanah (20 Occurrences). Exodus 6:24 The sons of Korah:
Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. ...
/e/elkanah.htm - 14k

Ebiasaph (4 Occurrences)
... Ebiasaph (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 6:23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son,
and Assir his son, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/e/ebiasaph.htm - 8k

Ebi'asaph (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ebi'asaph (3 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 6:23 Elkanah
his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son; (See RSV). ...
/e/ebi'asaph.htm - 7k

Assist (17 Occurrences)

/a/assist.htm - 11k

Korahites (7 Occurrences)
... ko'-ra-its (qorchi), (beno qorach; in the King James Version appears also as Korhite,
Kohathite, Kore): This phrase is used to denote Assir and Elkanah and ...
/k/korahites.htm - 20k

Korah (51 Occurrences)
... ko'-ra-its (qorchi), (beno qorach; in the King James Version appears also as Korhite,
Kohathite, Kore): This phrase is used to denote Assir and Elkanah and ...
/k/korah.htm - 44k

Korhite (2 Occurrences)
... Korhite (2 Occurrences). Exodus 6:24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah,
and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites. (Root in KJV WBS YLT). ...
/k/korhite.htm - 6k

Korahite (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Korahite (3 Occurrences). Exodus 6:24 The sons of Korah:
Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. ...
/k/korahite.htm - 7k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Assir (5 Occurrences)

Exodus 6:24
The sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 3:17
And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son,
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)

1 Chronicles 6:22
The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:23
Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:37
the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Assir

Assir: Son of Ebiasaph

Assir: Son of Jeconiah

Assir: Son of Korah

Related Terms

Elka'nah (20 Occurrences)

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)

Ebiasaph (4 Occurrences)

Ebi'asaph (3 Occurrences)

Assist (17 Occurrences)

Korahites (7 Occurrences)

Korah (51 Occurrences)

Korhite (2 Occurrences)

Korahite (3 Occurrences)

Korhites (4 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Jeconi'ah (7 Occurrences)

Tahath (5 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Captive (123 Occurrences)

Ammin'adab (14 Occurrences)

Abiasaph (1 Occurrence)

Abi'asaph (1 Occurrence)

Assimilated (1 Occurrence)

Salathiel (3 Occurrences)

Sons (2429 Occurrences)

Sheal'tiel (1 Occurrence)

Amminadab (14 Occurrences)

Families (272 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Assimilated
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