אַשְׁבֵּלִי (ash.be.li)
ash.be.li
Ashbelite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term ashbeli identifies a member of the clan descended from Ashbel, one of the sons of Benjamin. This gentilic appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Numbers 26:38, where it is used to list the families within the tribe during the census taken in the wilderness before entering Canaan.
Its meaning is strictly genealogical, serving as a label for lineage rather than describing a personal trait or religious role. The root name Ashbel has been interpreted in various ways by scholars, with suggestions ranging from "man of God" to references involving the deity Baal or the concept of making a path, though these etymological debates do not change the word's function in Scripture as a simple identifier of descent.
Because this is a rare proper noun derivative, its theological weight lies in its preservation of tribal identity. It highlights the meticulous record-keeping of Israel’s clans, ensuring that each family group, including the smaller ones like Ashbel’s, remained distinct and counted within the larger structure of the tribe of Benjamin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ashbelite appears just once in Scripture, marking a small branch within the tribe of Benjamin. While it does not carry a heavy theological message on its own, its presence reminds us that God keeps careful records of every family line. In Numbers 26:38, this label helps preserve the identity of a specific clan during the census in the wilderness.
This detail shows that God cares about individual heritage and lineage. Even when names seem obscure or rare, they are part of a larger story of preservation. For believers today, this offers comfort: no family history is too small or forgotten to be known by God. Each name listed serves as a testament to His faithfulness in maintaining the structure of His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Ashbelite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/אַשְׁבֵּלִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
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;
This verse lists the Ashbelites among the families of Benjamin, showing how the term functions as a specific genealogical marker during the wilderness census.