Genesis 30:13

30:13 Leah said, “How happy I am, for women will call me happy!” So she named him Asher.

Genesis 46:17

46:17 The sons of Asher:

Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister.

The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malkiel.

Deuteronomy 33:24-25

Blessing on Asher

33:24 Of Asher he said:

Asher is blessed with children,

may he be favored by his brothers

and may he dip his foot in olive oil.

33:25 The bars of your gates will be made of iron and bronze,

and may you have lifelong strength.

Joshua 19:24-31

Asher’s Tribal Lands

19:24 The fifth lot belonged to the tribe of Asher by its clans. 19:25 Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Acshaph, 19:26 Alammelech, Amad, and Mishal. Their border touched Carmel to the west and Shihor Libnath. 19:27 It turned eastward toward Beth Dagon, touched Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah El to the north, as well as the Valley of Emek and Neiel, and extended to Cabul on the north 19:28 and on to Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. 19:29 It then turned toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, 10  turned to Hosah, and ended at the sea near Hebel, Aczib, 19:30 Umah, Aphek, and Rehob. In all they had 11  twenty-two cities and their towns. 19:31 This was the land assigned to the tribe of Asher 12  by its clans, including these cities and their towns.


tn The Hebrew statement apparently means “with my happiness.”

tn Heb “daughters.”

sn The name Asher (אָשֶׁר, ’asher) apparently means “happy one.” The name plays on the words used in the statement which appears earlier in the verse. Both the Hebrew noun and verb translated “happy” and “call me happy,” respectively, are derived from the same root as the name Asher.

sn Dip his foot in olive oil. This is a metaphor for prosperity, one especially apt in light of the abundance of olive groves in the area settled by Asher. The Hebrew term refers to olive oil, which symbolizes blessing in the OT. See R. Way, NIDOTTE 4:171-73.

tn The words “of your gates” have been supplied in the translation to clarify the referent of “bars.”

tn Heb “and the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the sons of Asher.”

tn Heb “left.”

tc Some Hebrew mss read “Abdon.”

map For location see Map1-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3.

10 map For location see Map1-A2; Map2-G2; Map4-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3.

11 tn The words “in all they had” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

12 tn Heb “this was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Asher.”