Topical Encyclopedia Ashan is a town mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the tribal allotments of Judah and Simeon. The name "Ashan" is thought to mean "smoke" or "smoky," possibly indicating a geographical feature or characteristic of the area.Biblical References: 1. Tribal Allotment of Judah and Simeon: · Ashan is first mentioned in the context of the tribal inheritance of Judah. In Joshua 15:42, Ashan is listed among the towns in the southern part of Judah's territory: "Libnah, Ether, Ashan." This indicates its inclusion within the boundaries of Judah's inheritance. · Later, Ashan is also associated with the tribe of Simeon. In 1 Chronicles 4:32, it is listed as one of the towns within Simeon's inheritance: "And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan—five towns." 2. Levitical City: · Ashan was designated as a Levitical city, a city given to the Levites who served in the temple and performed religious duties. In 1 Chronicles 6:59, it is mentioned as one of the cities given to the descendants of Aaron: "Ashan with its pasturelands." 3. Historical Context: · The town of Ashan is also mentioned in the context of King David's reign. In 1 Samuel 30:30, David sends some of the spoils of war to the elders of Judah, including those in Ashan: "To those in Hormah, Bor-ashan, Athach." Geographical and Archaeological Insights: The exact location of Ashan is not definitively known today, but it is generally believed to have been situated in the Negev region, south of Hebron. Some scholars suggest it may have been near the modern site of Khirbet el-Shuweikeh, although this identification remains speculative. Theological Significance: Ashan's inclusion in the tribal allotments of both Judah and Simeon highlights the interconnectedness of the tribes of Israel and the shared heritage among them. As a Levitical city, Ashan also underscores the importance of the Levites in maintaining the spiritual and religious life of the nation. The Levites were set apart for service to God, and their presence in Ashan would have been a reminder of the centrality of worship and obedience to God's commandments. Cultural and Historical Context: In the broader cultural and historical context, Ashan's mention in the distribution of spoils by David reflects the practice of sharing the bounty of victory with various communities, fostering unity and mutual support among the tribes of Israel. This practice also illustrates the role of leadership in ensuring the well-being and cohesion of the nation. Overall, Ashan serves as a testament to the complex social, religious, and political landscape of ancient Israel, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within the covenant community. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary AshanSmith's Bible Dictionary Ashan(smoke), a city in the low country of Judah. (Joshua 15:42) In (Joshua 19:7) and 1Chr 4:32 It is mentioned again as belonging to Simeon. It has not yet been identified. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHANa'-shan (`ashan): An unknown site in the domain of Judah (Joshua 15:42), possessed by Simeon (Joshua 19:7), and mentioned among the priests' cities in 1 Chronicles 6:59. (44) = Joshua 21:16 (`ayin is a corruption of `ashan). Chorashan (or Borashan), which was probably the site of some reservoir in the Southwest part of Judah (1 Samuel 30:30), is the same as Ashan. Strong's Hebrew 3565. Kor Ashan -- Chor-ashanKor Ashan. 3564b, 3565. Kor Ashan. 3566 . Chor-ashan. Transliteration: Kor Ashan Phonetic Spelling: (kore aw-shawn') Short Definition: Chor-ashan. ... /hebrew/3565.htm - 6k 6228. Ashan -- a place in Judah and later in Simeon 953b. Bor Ashan -- "smoking pit," a place in Judah 6227. ashan -- smoke 6225. ashan -- to smoke, be angry 6226. ashen -- smoking Thesaurus Ashan (5 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASHAN. a'-shan (`ashan): An ... 6:59. (44) = Joshua 21:16 (`ayin is a corruption of `ashan). Chorashan (or ... /a/ashan.htm - 8k Bor-ashan (1 Occurrence) Cor-ashan Chor-ashan (1 Occurrence) Corashan Borashan (1 Occurrence) Chorashan (1 Occurrence) Tochen (1 Occurrence) Ether (2 Occurrences) Borash'an (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Ashan (5 Occurrences)Joshua 15:42 Joshua 19:7 1 Samuel 30:30 1 Chronicles 4:32 1 Chronicles 6:59 Subtopics Ashan: A Levitical City of Judah, Later of Simeon Related Terms |