אָסֹף (a.suph)
a.suph
storehouse
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun asof refers to what has been gathered together, specifically describing a store or storehouse. In Scripture, it appears only three times, primarily in Nehemiah and Chronicles, where it denotes the physical repositories used for storing agricultural produce and temple supplies.
Its meaning is concrete and practical, focusing on the result of gathering rather than the act itself. The word highlights the importance of preservation and organization in ancient Israelite society, serving as a tangible symbol of provision and stewardship within the community's economic and religious life.
One notable nuance is its occasional use by metonymy to mean "threshold," likely because thresholds marked the entrance to these storage areas. This shift illustrates how language can pivot from the object stored to the place where it is kept, grounding abstract concepts in everyday domestic structures.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word asof points to a place where gathered goods are kept safe. In ancient Israel, this was not just a warehouse but a vital part of community life. It represented the result of hard work—harvests stored for winter or supplies reserved for the temple. This concrete reality reminds us that God cares about our daily needs and the practical ways we provide for others.
When we think about stewardship, asof invites us to consider how we manage what has been given to us. Just as the Levites guarded these storehouses with diligence, we are called to be faithful with our resources. This might mean saving for future needs, sharing with those in need, or supporting the work of the church. It is a simple image: gathering what is needed and keeping it secure for the right time.
Ultimately, this word highlights God’s provision. He is the one who causes the harvest to grow and the storehouse to be full. We can trust that He provides for His people through ordinary means. Whether in times of plenty or scarcity, remembering this truth helps us live with gratitude and responsibility. May we find peace in knowing that our needs are known and cared for by a faithful God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ store<s>1×
- at/ [the] storerooms of1×
- and/ for the/ storehouses1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/לָ/אֲסֻפִּ֖ים1×
- הָ/אֲסֻפִּֽים\׃1×
- בַּ/אֲסֻפֵּ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 26:15
To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse.
This verse assigns specific storehouses to Obed-Edom’s family, showing how stewardship was organized within the temple service.
-
I Chronicles 26:17
Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two.
The detailed schedule for guarding the storehouse emphasizes the seriousness of protecting sacred resources from theft or neglect.
-
Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storehouses of the gates.
Gatekeepers watching the storehouses at the gates link security directly to the city’s supply lines and religious order.