The Abiez'rites are a clan within the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are descendants of Abiezer, who was a son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. The Abiez'rites are most notably mentioned in the context of the account of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel.

Genealogy and Tribal Affiliation:
The Abiez'rites trace their lineage back to Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Manasseh was one of the two sons of Joseph who were adopted by Jacob and given an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. The genealogy of the Abiez'rites is outlined in 1 Chronicles 7:14-18, where Abiezer is listed as a descendant of Manasseh through Gilead.

Territory:
The Abiez'rites settled in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. This area was known for its rugged terrain and was part of the larger territory allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh. The specific location associated with the Abiez'rites is Ophrah, which is identified as the hometown of Gideon.

Gideon and the Abiez'rites:
The most prominent biblical figure from the Abiez'rites is Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. Gideon was called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. The narrative of Gideon is found in Judges 6-8. In Judges 6:11, the angel of the LORD appears to Gideon at Ophrah, which belongs to the family of the Abiez'rites: "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" .

Gideon's leadership and military exploits are central to the account of the Abiez'rites. Despite his initial hesitance and the small size of his army, Gideon successfully led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites, demonstrating faith and obedience to God's commands. The Abiez'rites, as part of Gideon's family and clan, played a significant role in this deliverance.

Conflict and Legacy:
After Gideon's victory, there was internal conflict among the tribes of Israel. The men of Ephraim, another tribe of Israel, confronted Gideon for not calling them to join the initial battle against the Midianites. Gideon diplomatically resolved the tension, as recorded in Judges 8:1-3.

The legacy of the Abiez'rites is closely tied to Gideon's judgeship and the subsequent period of peace that followed his leadership. However, after Gideon's death, Israel fell back into idolatry, and the unity among the tribes weakened.

Cultural and Historical Significance:
The account of the Abiez'rites, particularly through the figure of Gideon, highlights themes of faith, divine calling, and the struggle against oppression. The Abiez'rites' narrative serves as a testament to God's deliverance and the importance of obedience and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.Abiez'rites (3 Occurrences)

Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it, The LORD is peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiez'rites.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:34
But the Spirit of the LORD took possession of Gideon; and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiez'rites were called out to follow him.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 8:32
And Gideon the son of Jo'ash died in a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Jo'ash his father, at Ophrah of the Abiez'rites.
(DBY RSV)

Abiez'rites (3 Occurrences)
Abiez'rites. Abi-ezrites, Abiez'rites. Abigail . Multi-Version Concordance
Abiez'rites (3 Occurrences). Judges 6:24 Then Gideon ...
/a/abiez'rites.htm - 7k

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 8:32 And Gideon the son of Jo'ash died in a good old age, and
was buried in the tomb of Jo'ash his father, at Ophrah of the Abiez'rites. ...
/j/jo'ash.htm - 19k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

/a/abigail.htm - 17k

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

Sounded (66 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY RSV). Judges 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD took possession of Gideon;
and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiez'rites were called out to follow him. ...
/s/sounded.htm - 27k

Stands (111 Occurrences)
... called it, The LORD is peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which
belongs to the Abiez'rites. (DBY RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 16:6 It ...
/s/stands.htm - 34k

Belongs (127 Occurrences)
... it, The LORD is peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs
to the Abiez'rites. (DBY RSV). Judges 6:25 It happened ...
/b/belongs.htm - 35k

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