אַסִּיר (as.sir)
as.sir
Assir
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Assir, meaning prisoner or captive, appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal name for several men within the Levitical line. It is most notably associated with a son of Korah and another son of Ebiasaph, figures mentioned in genealogical records such as Exodus 6:24 and 1 Chronicles 6:23. These individuals are part of the broader family structure that supported temple worship, linking their identity to the tribe of Levi.
While the name itself carries the weight of captivity, its usage in these texts is strictly genealogical rather than narrative. The sources highlight a slight variation in tradition, where one record identifies him as the son of Korah while another lists him as the son of Ebiasaph, reflecting the complex transmission of family lines in ancient Israel. This lexical entry serves primarily to anchor these individuals within their historical and tribal context.
The etymology connects the name directly to the concept of restriction or imprisonment, a stark contrast to the freedom often sought by the Israelites during the Exodus period. By retaining this name, the biblical text preserves the memory of those who bore it, regardless of whether it was inherited from ancestors who had experienced captivity or chosen for symbolic reasons. The occurrence of Assir in Scripture is limited, appearing only in these specific genealogical lists.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Assir means prisoner or captive. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal name for men within the Levitical line. This word connects identity to restriction, yet these individuals served in temple worship. Their names remind us that God uses people from all backgrounds.
Even when our lives feel confined by circumstances, we are part of a larger story. The biblical text preserves these names to anchor us in history. We find hope knowing that every person has a place in God's plan. This word invites reflection on how freedom and service intersect in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [were] Assir1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַסִּ֥יר1×
Key Verses
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Exodus 6:24
The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
This verse lists Assir as the son of Korah, establishing his place in the Korahite family line responsible for temple duties.