Genesis 46:17
The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
The children of Asher:
Asher was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. Asher's name means "happy" or "blessed," reflecting Leah's joy at his birth. The tribe of Asher later settled in a fertile region of Canaan, known for its olive oil production, which aligns with the blessing Jacob gave Asher in Genesis 49:20, highlighting prosperity and abundance.

Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah,
These are the sons of Asher, each representing a family line within the tribe. The names reflect the cultural and linguistic context of the time, with meanings that may relate to personal characteristics or aspirations. The listing of these sons emphasizes the growth and expansion of Jacob's family, fulfilling God's promise to make his descendants numerous.

and their sister Serah.
Serah is a unique mention as she is one of the few women listed in genealogies, indicating her significance. Jewish tradition holds that Serah lived an exceptionally long life and played a role in the Exodus narrative, possibly due to her wisdom or spiritual insight. Her inclusion highlights the importance of women in biblical narratives, even when not frequently mentioned.

The sons of Beriah:
Beriah, one of Asher's sons, continues the lineage, showing the generational continuity within the tribe. The name Beriah means "in trouble" or "a gift," which could reflect circumstances around his birth or a prophetic insight into his life or descendants.

Heber and Malchiel.
Heber and Malchiel are the grandsons of Asher, further expanding the family tree. Heber's name means "comrade" or "enclave," while Malchiel means "God is my king," indicating a possible spiritual or leadership role within the tribe. These names reflect the faith and cultural values of the time, emphasizing the connection to God and community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asher
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose descendants became one of the tribes of Israel. Asher's name means "happy" or "blessed" in Hebrew.

2. Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah
Sons of Asher, each representing a family line within the tribe of Asher. Their names reflect various meanings, such as "right hand" (Imnah) and "gift" (Beriah).

3. Serah
The sister of Asher's sons, notable for being one of the few women mentioned in genealogies, indicating her significance.

4. Heber and Malchiel
Sons of Beriah, grandsons of Asher, continuing the lineage of the tribe of Asher.

5. Jacob's Journey to Egypt
This event is part of the larger account of Jacob's family moving to Egypt during a famine, setting the stage for the Israelites' eventual enslavement and Exodus.
Teaching Points
Significance of Genealogies
Genealogies in the Bible are not just historical records but also convey theological truths about God's faithfulness to His promises.

Role of Women in Scripture
Serah's inclusion in the genealogy highlights the importance of women in God's plan, encouraging us to recognize and value the contributions of women in our faith communities.

God's Providence in Family Lines
The detailed listing of family members reminds us of God's providence and care for each individual, encouraging us to trust in His plan for our own families.

Legacy and Heritage
The passage encourages us to consider the legacy we are leaving for future generations and to live in a way that honors God and blesses others.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of Serah in this genealogy suggest about the role of women in biblical accounts, and how can this inform our view of gender roles in the church today?

2. How does the meaning of Asher's name ("happy" or "blessed") reflect the blessings pronounced on his tribe in later scriptures, and how can we apply this understanding of blessing to our own lives?

3. In what ways do genealogies in the Bible, such as this one, demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in times of uncertainty?

4. How can the detailed recording of family lines in Genesis 46:17 inspire us to consider the spiritual legacy we are building for future generations?

5. Reflecting on the journey of Jacob's family to Egypt, what can we learn about trusting God's plan during times of transition or hardship in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 30:13
Leah names Asher, expressing her happiness, which connects to the meaning of Asher's name and the blessings associated with his lineage.

Numbers 26:44-47
The census of the Israelites in the wilderness includes the descendants of Asher, showing the growth and significance of his tribe.

Deuteronomy 33:24-25
Moses blesses the tribe of Asher, highlighting their prosperity and strength, which ties back to the blessings implied in Genesis 46:17.
The Beginning of the NationR.A. Redford Genesis 46:8-27
The Catalogue of the Children of IsraelT. H. Leale.Genesis 46:8-27
People
Aram, Ard, Areli, Arodi, Asenath, Ashbel, Asher, Becher, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Beriah, Bilhah, Canaanitish, Carmi, Dan, Dinah, Egyptians, Ehi, Elon, Enoch, Er, Eri, Ezbon, Gad, Gera, Gershon, Guni, Haggai, Haggi, Hamul, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Huppim, Hushim, Imnah, Isaac, Ishuah, Issachar, Isui, Jachin, Jacob, Jahleel, Jahzeel, Jahziel, Jamin, Jashub, Jemuel, Jezer, Jimnah, Job, Joseph, Kohath, Laban, Leah, Levi, Malchiel, Manasseh, Merari, Muppim, Naaman, Naphtali, Ohad, Onan, Pallu, Perez, Phallu, Pharaoh, Pharez, Phuvah, Potipherah, Puah, Rachel, Reuben, Rosh, Sarah, Saul, Serah, Sered, Shaul, Shelah, Shillem, Shimron, Shuni, Simeon, Tola, Zarah, Zebulun, Zephon, Zerah, Zilpah, Ziphion, Zohar
Places
Beersheba, Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, On, Paddan-aram
Topics
Asher, Beriah, Beri'ah, Heber, Imnah, Ishuah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Isui, Jimnah, Jishvah, Jishvi, Malchiel, Mal'chi-el, Malkiel, Sarah, Serah, Sister, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 46:8-27

     7230   genealogies

Genesis 46:16-17

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
General. The writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their intrinsic merits, but by his historical position and influence. It has already been pointed out that he stands at the close of the old Græco-Roman civilisation: the last Roman poet of any repute, Claudian, and the last Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, died before him. Augustin survived him, but the other great Fathers, both in the East and in the West, had passed away before him. The sack of Rome by Alaric (410) and
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Four Shaping Centuries
'Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt: every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7, And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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