Introduction:
Asher is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after the eighth son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. The name "Asher" means "happy" or "blessed," reflecting Leah's joy at his birth (Genesis 30:12-13). Asher's descendants became one of the tribes of Israel, playing a significant role in the history and settlement of the Promised Land.

Biblical References:
Asher is first mentioned in Genesis 30:12-13, where his birth is recorded: "Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, 'How happy I am! For the women will call me happy.' So she named him Asher" . Asher is later listed among the sons of Jacob who went to Egypt during the famine (Genesis 46:17).

Tribal Allotment:
The tribe of Asher received its inheritance in the land of Canaan as described in Joshua 19:24-31. The territory allotted to Asher was located in the northern part of Israel, along the Mediterranean coast, extending from Carmel to Sidon. This fertile region was known for its olive oil production, as indicated in Deuteronomy 33:24: "About Asher he said: 'Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil'" .

Role in Israel's History:
The tribe of Asher played a somewhat peripheral role in the early history of Israel. During the period of the Judges, Asher did not fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants of their land, as noted in Judges 1:31-32: "Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco or Sidon or Ahlab or Achzib or Helbah or Aphik or Rehob. So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out" .

Despite this, Asher participated in some significant events. In the time of Deborah and Barak, Asher was among the tribes that were called to battle against Sisera, although their participation was limited (Judges 5:17). Later, during the reign of King David, men from Asher joined David at Hebron to turn Saul's kingdom over to him (1 Chronicles 12:36).

Prophetic Blessings:
Jacob's blessing over Asher, as recorded in Genesis 49:20, highlights the tribe's prosperity: "Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king" . This blessing underscores the abundance and fertility of Asher's territory. Moses also blessed Asher before his death, emphasizing the tribe's strength and security: "May Asher be most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and bathe his feet in oil. May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and your strength match your days" (Deuteronomy 33:24-25).

New Testament Reference:
In the New Testament, a notable member of the tribe of Asher is mentioned: Anna, a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah when He was presented at the Temple. Luke 2:36-38 records her lineage and her devotion to God: "There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" .

Conclusion:
The tribe of Asher, though not as prominent as some other tribes, contributed to the rich tapestry of Israel's history. Its members were known for their prosperity and faithfulness, as exemplified by figures like Anna. The blessings pronounced over Asher reflect God's provision and favor upon this tribe.

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... When Asher's foot was dipped in oil, no wonder he left a foot-mark wherever he went;
but if his foot had not first been anointed, there would have been small ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

The Eternity of God
... Deuteronomy 33:35. Asher's shoe was of iron, but his foot was dipt in oil. Affliction
is the iron shoe, but mercy is mixed with it; the foot is dipt in oil. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the eternity of god.htm

The Providence of God
... light side of the cloud. Asher's shoes were of brass, but his feet were
dipped in oil. Deuteronomy 33:34. So affliction is the shoe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

Chapter xlix
... Then come the four sons of the handmaids, though the two sons of Zilpah, Asher and
Gad, are inserted between the two sons of Bilhah, Dan and Naphtali. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Asher's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Asher's (1 Occurrence). Genesis 49:20 "Asher's food
will be rich. He will yield royal dainties. (WEB BBE RSV NIV). ...
/a/asher's.htm - 6k

Delicacies (7 Occurrences)
... (n.) Plural of Delicacy. Multi-Version Concordance Delicacies (7 Occurrences). Genesis
49:20 Asher's bread is fat; he gives delicate food for kings. (See NIV). ...
/d/delicacies.htm - 8k

Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos, "fat,"
"shining"): Jacob is represented as predicting of Asher, "He shall yield ...
/d/dainties.htm - 12k

Beriah (10 Occurrences)
... (1.) One of Asher's four sons, and father of Heber (Genesis 46:17). ... Genesis 46:17
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. ...
/b/beriah.htm - 10k

Ashe'roth (1 Occurrence)
Ashe'roth. Asheroth, Ashe'roth. Asher's . Multi-Version Concordance Ashe'roth
(1 Occurrence). ... (DBY RSV). Asheroth, Ashe'roth. Asher's . Reference Bible
/a/ashe'roth.htm - 6k

Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... delicate linen, white and clean. (BBE). Genesis 49:20 Asher's bread is fat;
he gives delicate food for kings. (BBE). Exodus 31:4 To ...
/d/delicate.htm - 19k

Provide (74 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:16 "Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. (See NIV).
Genesis 49:20 "Asher's food will be rich. He will yield royal dainties. ...
/p/provide.htm - 28k

Royal (154 Occurrences)
... case (the "construct state"). They are: (1) melekh, "king": "Asher.... ... (See RSV).
Genesis 49:20 "Asher's food will be rich. He will yield royal dainties. ...
/r/royal.htm - 42k

Ashes (44 Occurrences)

/a/ashes.htm - 24k

Yield (78 Occurrences)
... You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY
WBS NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 49:20 "Asher's food will be rich. ...
/y/yield.htm - 30k

Who was Asher in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Asher? | GotQuestions.org

Were Jacob's prophecies about his sons fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus