Topical Encyclopedia The Tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, is named after Asher, the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. Asher's descendants were known for their prosperity and abundance, as reflected in Jacob's blessing: "Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king" (Genesis 49:20).Census in the Wilderness The census of the Tribe of Asher, as recorded in the Book of Numbers, was conducted by Moses and Aaron during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. This census was part of a broader enumeration of the Israelite tribes, which served both military and organizational purposes. The first census, taken in the second year after the Exodus from Egypt, is detailed in Numbers 1. In this initial census, the men of Asher who were able to go to war, aged twenty years and older, were counted. The total number of men from the Tribe of Asher was 41,500 (Numbers 1:40-41). This count reflects the tribe's significant size and potential contribution to the Israelite community's military strength. Census by Families The census was organized by families, or clans, within each tribe. The families of Asher were identified by their patriarchal heads, as was customary in Israelite society. The genealogical records were crucial for maintaining tribal identity and inheritance rights, especially as the Israelites anticipated entering the Promised Land. Second Census A second census was conducted near the end of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, as recorded in Numbers 26. This census was necessary to prepare for the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes. In this enumeration, the number of men from the Tribe of Asher increased to 53,400 (Numbers 26:47). This growth indicates the tribe's resilience and God's blessing upon them during their time in the wilderness. Significance The censuses of the Tribe of Asher highlight the tribe's role within the larger Israelite community. Asher's increase in numbers from the first to the second census underscores the tribe's vitality and God's provision. The detailed records of families within the tribe reflect the importance of lineage and heritage in maintaining the covenantal promises given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Tribe of Asher's participation in the censuses also illustrates the broader themes of faithfulness and preparation as the Israelites journeyed toward the fulfillment of God's promises in the land of Canaan. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 33:24,25And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. Nave's Topical Index Resources What can we learn from the tribe of Asher? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Asher in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What are the twelve tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Asher: Son of Jacob, by Zilpah Asher: Son of Jacob, by Zilpah: Descendants of the Tribe of Asher: Aided in Hezekiah's Reformation the Tribe of Asher: Assisted Gideon Against the Midianites the Tribe of Asher: Bordered on the Sea the Tribe of Asher: Bounds of Their Inheritance the Tribe of Asher: Descended Form Jacob's Eighth Son the Tribe of Asher: did not Fully Drive out Canaanites the Tribe of Asher: Encamped Next To, and Under the Standard of Dan, North of The the Tribe of Asher: Families of the Tribe of Asher: Offering of, at the Dedication the Tribe of Asher: Officers Place Over, by Solomon the Tribe of Asher: On Ebal, Said Amen to the Curses of the Law the Tribe of Asher: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land the Tribe of Asher: Persons Selected From: To Number the People the Tribe of Asher: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land the Tribe of Asher: Predictions Concerning the Tribe of Asher: Remarkable Persons of the Tribe of Asher: Reproved for not Aiding Against Sisera the Tribe of Asher: some of, at Coronation of David the Tribe of Asher: Strength of on Entering Canaan the Tribe of Asher: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt the Tribe of Asher: The Centre of the Fourth Division of Israel in Its Journeys Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families by John Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families by Moses Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Allotment To, of Land in Canaan Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Join Hezekiah Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Station of, in Camp Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Summoned by Gideon Tribe of Asher: Census of, by Families: Upbraided by Deborah Related Terms |