אַשְׁכְּנַז (ash.ke.naz)
ash.ke.naz
Ashkenaz
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 proper noun Ashkenaz appears in three Old Testament passages, identifying both an individual and a distant region. In Genesis 10:3 it names a son of Gomer and grandson of Japheth, placing him within the table of nations that traces early human lineage. Later references in I Chronicles and Jeremiah shift from genealogy to geography, using the name for a northern people or kingdom.
Lexical sources suggest the term may relate to concepts of scattering or fire, though its exact etymology remains uncertain. Historically, scholars have often linked this biblical Ashkenaz with regions north of Israel, such as Bithynia in Asia Minor, rather than the medieval European Jewish communities that later adopted the name. The text itself treats it as a real place and people group known to the ancient audience.
This word serves as a bridge between family history and political reality in Scripture. It moves from a personal ancestor in Genesis to a significant northern power in Jeremiah’s prophecies, showing how names can carry both lineage and geopolitical weight across different biblical contexts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ashkenaz appears in the Bible as both a person and a place, linking family history to distant lands. In Genesis, it marks a son of Gomer, part of the early nations listed after the flood. This simple genealogy reminds us that every people group has an origin story within God’s broader plan for humanity.
Later, the name shifts to describe a northern power in Jeremiah’s prophecy against Babylon. Here, Ashkenaz is called upon as part of a coalition to judge a proud empire. This shows how names in Scripture can carry weight beyond their immediate context, pointing to larger historical movements and divine justice.
For readers today, this word highlights the interconnectedness of human history. It invites reflection on how God uses various nations and peoples to accomplish His purposes, even when those groups are far removed from Israel’s immediate circle.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Ashkenaz1×
- [were] Ashkenaz1×
- Ashkenaz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַשְׁכֲּנַ֥ז2×
- וְ/אַשְׁכְּנָ֑ז1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:3
The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
This verse establishes Ashkenaz as a specific individual within the Table of Nations, grounding the name in early human lineage rather than just geography.
-
Jeremiah 51:27
“Set up a standard in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her! Call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz! Appoint a marshal against her! Cause the horses to come up as the swarming locusts!
Here the name functions as a geopolitical entity, summoned to participate in God’s judgment against Babylon, showing its significance as a northern power.