אַשְׁבֵּל (ash.bel)
ash.bel
Ashbel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ashbel identifies the second son of Benjamin, appearing in genealogical records that trace the lineage of Israel’s tribes. He is first introduced in Genesis 46:21 as part of Jacob’s family moving to Egypt, and later listed in Numbers 26:22 and 1 Chronicles 8:1. These passages serve primarily to document his place within the clan structure rather than to narrate specific events from his life.
Linguistically, the name is often interpreted as meaning "man of Baal" or "fire of Bel," reflecting the religious landscape of the ancient Near East where deities like Bel were prominent. Some scholars suggest alternative meanings such as "I will make a path," though the connection to Baal remains a significant point of discussion regarding the cultural context of Benjamin’s early history.
The name also appears in its adjectival form, Ashbelite (H0789), used to describe descendants or members associated with this specific branch of the tribe. This linguistic detail helps historians and readers distinguish between different family lines within Benjamin as they are recorded in the biblical text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in the Bible often carry deep weight, pointing to identity and heritage. Ashbel appears in genealogies as the second son of Benjamin, anchoring a specific branch of Israel’s family tree. While his personal story is not told, his inclusion reminds us that every name matters to God. These records preserve the lineage that would eventually lead to the tribes of Israel.
For believers today, these lists show God’s faithfulness across generations. He remembers each person and keeps His promises through time. The continuity of family lines reflects a larger truth: God is working out His plans through real people in history. We are part of that same ongoing story of redemption.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of/ Ashbel1×
- and/ Ashbel1×
- Ashbel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אַשְׁבֵּ֕ל1×
- וְ/אַשְׁבֵּ֔ל1×
- אַשְׁבֵּל֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:21
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
This verse introduces Ashbel as part of Jacob’s family entering Egypt, marking the beginning of the tribe’s settlement in a new land.
-
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 the Ahiramites;
Here, Ashbel is listed among Benjamin’s sons to establish the Ashbelites as a distinct family group within the census of the second generation.
-
I Chronicles 8:1
Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
This genealogy reaffirms Ashbel’s position as the second son, linking the historical record back to the original patriarchal line.