Topical Encyclopedia The term "Abiez'rite" refers to the descendants of Abiezer, who was a member of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Abiezer is noted as the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, as recorded in the genealogies of the Old Testament. The Abiezrites are particularly significant in the biblical narrative due to their association with Gideon, one of the judges of Israel.Genealogy and Tribal Affiliation Abiezer is listed among the sons of Gilead in 1 Chronicles 7:18, which states, "His sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah." This places Abiezer within the lineage of Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph, who was one of the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Manasseh was divided into two half-tribes, with one settling on the east side of the Jordan River and the other on the west. The Abiezrites were part of the western half-tribe of Manasseh. 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 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." This passage highlights the Abiezrite lineage of Gideon and sets the stage for his role as a deliverer of Israel. Gideon's account is central to the narrative of the Abiezrites, as he was called by God to lead Israel against the oppression of the Midianites. Despite his initial hesitance and the small size of his army, Gideon successfully defeated the Midianites with a force of just 300 men, as described in Judges 7. His leadership brought peace to Israel for forty years. The Abiezrite Clan The Abiezrites are mentioned again in the context of Gideon's family and their interactions with other tribes. In Judges 8:2, Gideon addresses the Ephraimites, saying, "What have I accomplished now in comparison with you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?" This reference underscores the prominence of the Abiezrite clan within the tribe of Manasseh and their role in the broader narrative of Israel's history. Legacy and Historical Context The Abiezrites, through Gideon, played a crucial role in the deliverance of Israel during a time of great distress. Their account is emblematic of the themes of faith, divine intervention, and leadership found throughout the Book of Judges. The legacy of the Abiezrites is preserved in the biblical text as a testament to their contribution to the history of Israel and their enduring significance in the biblical narrative. Concordance Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence)Judges 6:11 Thesaurus Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence)Abiez'rite. Abi-ezrite, Abiez'rite. Abiezrites . Multi-Version Concordance Abiez'rite (1 Occurrence). Judges 6:11 Now the angel ... /a/abiez'rite.htm - 6k Jo'ash (44 Occurrences) Mid'ianites (12 Occurrences) Abiezrites (3 Occurrences) Abi-ezrite (2 Occurrences) Belonged (105 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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