Topical Encyclopedia
Ashbel is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogies of the tribes of Israel. He is recognized as one of the sons of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The name "Ashbel" is thought to mean "a man of Baal" or "fire of Bel," though interpretations of ancient Hebrew names can vary.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 46:21 · Ashbel is first mentioned in the context of the family of Jacob, who went down to Egypt during the time of famine. The verse states: "The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard."
2.
Numbers 26:38-39 · In the census of the Israelites in the wilderness, the descendants of Ashbel are noted as part of the tribe of Benjamin: "The descendants of Benjamin by their clans were: the Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham."
3.
1 Chronicles 7:6-7 · The genealogies in Chronicles also mention Ashbel as a son of Benjamin: "The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all. The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five in all. They were heads of their families. There were 22,034 mighty men of valor listed in their genealogies."
Tribal Significance:Ashbel's lineage is significant in the context of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin held a unique position among the tribes, being the smallest yet often noted for its valor and strategic importance. The tribe's territory was located between the powerful tribes of Judah and Ephraim, and it played a crucial role in the history of Israel, including the establishment of the monarchy under King Saul, who was a Benjamite.
Cultural and Historical Context:The mention of Ashbel and his descendants highlights the importance of genealogies in the Hebrew Bible. These genealogies served not only to record family histories but also to establish tribal identities and inheritance rights. The Ashbelites, as descendants of Ashbel, would have been recognized as a distinct clan within the tribe of Benjamin, contributing to the tribe's military and social structure.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Ashbel in the biblical genealogies underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, particularly to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, regarding the multiplication of their descendants and the establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe, including Benjamin and its clans, played a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for His people.
In summary, Ashbel is a figure whose mention in the Bible, though brief, connects to the broader narrative of Israel's history and God's covenantal faithfulness. His descendants, the Ashbelites, are part of the rich tapestry of the Israelite community, contributing to the legacy and identity of the tribe of Benjamin.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ashbelan old fire
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ashbel(reproof of God), second son of Benjamin and ancestor of the Ashbelites. (Genesis 46:21;Numbers 26:38;1 Chronicles 8:1)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASHBEL; ASHBELITEash'-bel, ash'-bel-it ('ashbel): The gentilic name "Ashbelite" is found inNumbers 26:38, second son of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21). In1 Chronicles 7:6-11 (6) "Jediael" ("known to God") is substituted for the heathen-sounding "Ashbel" ("Ishbaal," "man of Baal"). The chronicler, in this case, conforms literally to the principle laid down inHosea 2:17; the title "Baal" ("lord") was applied in early days (e.g. in the days of Saul) to the national God of Israel, but in later days the prophets objected to it because it was freely applied to heathen gods (compare ISH-BOSHETH). In1 Chronicles 8:1 the three names Bela, Ashbel, Aharah (= Ahiram) are taken fromNumbers 26:38, however, without change.
H. J. Wolf
Strong's Hebrew
788.Ashbel -- the second son of Benjamin... 787, 788.
Ashbel. 789 . the second son of Benjamin. Transliteration:
Ashbel Phonetic Spelling: (ash-bale') Short Definition:
Ashbel.
...789. Ashbeli -- descendant ofAshbel
... descendant ofAshbel. Transliteration: Ashbeli Phonetic Spelling: (ash-bay-lee')
Short Definition: Ashbelites. Word Origin fromAshbel Definition desc....
Library
Chapter xlvi
... Ephraim. And the children of Benjamin: Bela and Becher andAshbel, Gera
and Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard. These...
The Westminster Catechisms.
... Edinb.1841; 2d ed.1844.Ashbel Green, DD (President of Princeton College from
1812 to 1822; d.1848): Lectures on the Shorter Catechism....
Index.
... Gough, John B., 289. Great fortunes and great gifts, 359. Greatorex's collection,
393. Green,Ashbel, 204. Green, SS, 122. Green, WH, 380....
Presbyterian Worship Outside of the Established Church of Scotland...
... Charles and AA Hodge and Dr.Ashbel Green confessed themselves as in favor of the
introduction of such forms for optional use, and Dr. Baird in his "Eutaxia...
Centenary Commemoration
... thirty years earlier.ASHBEL BALDWIN was born in a farm-house on the hills
of Litchfield, Connecticut, March 7, 1757. His father...
Close of the Colonial Era --The German Churches --The Beginnings...
... Among the Presbyterians of New Jersey, the father of Dr.Ashbel Green took the extreme
ground which was taken by Dr. Hopkins's church in 1784, that no person...
Thesaurus
Ashbel (3 Occurrences)...ASHBEL; ASHBELITE. ash'-bel, ash'-bel-it ('
ashbel): The gentilic name "Ashbelite"
is found in Numbers 26:38, second son of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21).
...Ashbelite (1 Occurrence)
...ASHBEL; ASHBELITE. ash'-bel, ash'-bel-it ('ashbel): The gentilic name "Ashbelite"
is found in Numbers 26:38, second son of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21)....
Bela (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin: Bela,
Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard....
Benjamin (167 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin:
Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard....
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh,
Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Na'aman (15 Occurrences)
... RSV). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman,
Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. (See RSV). Numbers...
Gera (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gera (9 Occurrences). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin:
Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard....
Rosh (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rosh (5 Occurrences). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin:
Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard....
Ehi (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ehi (1 Occurrence). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin:
Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard....
Muppim (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Muppim (1 Occurrence). Genesis 46:21 The sons of Benjamin:
Bela, Becher,Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard....
Resources
Bible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
