The Ashbelites are a biblical group mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament. They are descendants of Ashbel, who was one of the sons of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The Ashbelites are thus part of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to Ashbel and his descendants is found in the Book of Numbers. In the census of the tribes of Israel, the Ashbelites are listed among the families of the tribe of Benjamin:

· "The descendants of Benjamin by their clans: the Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram," (Numbers 26:38).

This passage is part of the second census taken by Moses in the plains of Moab, as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land. The census was intended to organize the people for both military and inheritance purposes.

Genealogical Significance:

Ashbel is mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles, which provides a detailed account of the lineage of the tribes of Israel:

· "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 families and mighty warriors. Their genealogies were recorded by their clans. The number of these fighting men was 22,034. The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were Becher’s sons. Their genealogies were recorded by their families. The number of these fighting men was 20,200. The sons of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. All these sons of Jediael were heads of families, mighty warriors; there were 17,200 ready for battle. The Shuppites and Huppites were descendants of Ir, and the Hushites were descendants of Aher." (1 Chronicles 7:6-12).

While Ashbel himself is not directly mentioned in this passage, his lineage is implied through the broader genealogical context of the tribe of Benjamin.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The tribe of Benjamin held a significant position among the tribes of Israel. Despite being the smallest tribe, it produced several notable figures in Israel's history, including King Saul, the first king of Israel, and the Apostle Paul, originally named Saul of Tarsus. The Ashbelites, as part of this tribe, would have shared in the tribe's heritage and responsibilities.

The Benjaminites were known for their skills in battle, as indicated by the census records that highlight their fighting men. This martial prowess is a recurring theme in the narratives involving the tribe of Benjamin throughout the Old Testament.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the Ashbelites, like other clans within the tribes of Israel, represent the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The preservation and enumeration of these families underscore the faithfulness of God in maintaining the lineage through which He would bring about His redemptive plan for humanity.

The Ashbelites, as part of the tribe of Benjamin, contribute to the larger narrative of Israel's history, which is marked by cycles of faithfulness and rebellion, judgment and redemption. Their inclusion in the biblical record serves as a testament to the intricate and sovereign plan of God in the unfolding of salvation history.789. Ashbeli -- descendant of Ashbel
... descendant of Ashbel. Transliteration: Ashbeli Phonetic Spelling: (ash-bay-lee')
Short Definition: Ashbelites. ... of Ashbel NASB Word Usage Ashbelites (1). ...
/hebrew/789.htm - 6kAshbelites (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ashbelites (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:38 The
sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family ...
/a/ashbelites.htm - 6k

Ashbelite (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/a/ashbelite.htm - 7k

Ash'belites (1 Occurrence)
Ash'belites. Ashbelites, Ash'belites. Ashchenaz . Multi-Version Concordance
Ash'belites (1 Occurrence). ... Ashbelites, Ash'belites. Ashchenaz . Reference
/a/ash'belites.htm - 6k

Belaites (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/b/belaites.htm - 7k

Be'la-ites (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/b/be'la-ites.htm - 6k

Belaite (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/b/belaite.htm - 6k

Bela (14 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/b/bela.htm - 13k

Ahi'ramites (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/a/ahi'ramites.htm - 6k

Ahi'ram (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/a/ahi'ram.htm - 6k

Ahiramites (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of
the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of ...
/a/ahiramites.htm - 6k

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