Who was Asher in the Old Testament?

Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a notable position in the Old Testament. He was the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant. Asher is one of Jacob’s twelve sons, who later formed the twelve tribes of Israel. Although often considered one of the less prominent tribes in biblical narratives, his tribe played a vital role in the history of Israel.

This article discusses the significance of Asher in the Old Testament, covering his birth, the blessings given to him, the role of his descendants, and the territory that his tribe eventually inherited.

The Birth of Asher

Asher was born to Jacob and Zilpah during the competition between Leah and Rachel to produce more children for Jacob. After Leah ceased bearing children, she gave Zilpah to Jacob as a concubine, hoping to continue adding to her family.

• “And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, ‘I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.’ So she called his name Asher.” (Genesis 30:9-13, NKJV)

The name Asher comes from the Hebrew word for “happy” or “blessed,” and Leah’s statement, “I am happy,” reflects the joy she felt upon his birth. This name would later be reflected in the blessings and prophecies related to him and his descendants.

The Blessings

Throughout the Bible, various blessings were pronounced over Asher, shedding light on the future of his descendants and their expected prosperity.

Jacob’s Blessing

Jacob, nearing the end of his life, gathered his sons and pronounced blessings and prophecies over them in Genesis 49. His words concerning Asher indicated that the tribe would experience prosperity and abundance.

• “Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties.” (Genesis 49:20, NKJV)

Jacob’s blessing on Asher highlights the tribe’s association with wealth and prosperity. The “rich bread” and “royal dainties” suggest that Asher’s land would be fertile, yielding luxurious and high-quality food fit for royalty. This is an early hint at the abundant and fertile territory that the tribe would later inherit.

Moses’ Blessing

Moses also pronounced a blessing over the tribes of Israel before his death in Deuteronomy 33. His blessing for Asher echoed the theme of prosperity and added the imagery of strength and security.

• “And of Asher he said: ‘Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil. Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be.’” (Deuteronomy 33:24-25, NKJV)

Moses’ blessing expands upon Jacob’s prophecy, emphasizing Asher’s favored status among the tribes. The imagery of “dipping his foot in oil” is commonly interpreted as a reference to the tribe’s fruitful land, possibly indicating an abundance of olive oil, a valuable commodity in ancient Israel. The mention of “iron and bronze” sandals suggests strength and resilience, indicating that the tribe’s descendants would be well-fortified and secure.

The Tribe’s Territory and Role

The tribe of Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and after the Exodus, when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, each tribe received a portion of territory. The division of the land is recorded in Joshua 13-19, with this tribe’s territory described in detail in Joshua 19.

• “The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families. And their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, Alammelech, Amad, and Mishal; it reached to Mount Carmel westward, along the Brook Shihor Libnath.” (Joshua 19:24-26, NKJV)

Asher’s territory was located along the Mediterranean coast in the northern region of Israel. It stretched from Mount Carmel in the south to as far north as the region of Tyre and Sidon. This location was known for its fertility, particularly its production of olive oil, fulfilling the blessing of “dipping his foot in oil.”

The coastal location of this tribe placed it in close proximity to the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon, which played a significant role in maritime trade. Asher’s territory was strategically important, though the tribe’s interactions with these neighboring cultures were not always positive, as the influence of the Phoenicians’ idolatry and pagan practices posed challenges to Israel’s faithfulness to God.

The Failings of the Tribe

Despite the blessings and potential for prosperity, this tribe is also noted for its failures. One significant shortcoming was their failure to fully drive out the Canaanites from their allotted land, a recurring issue for many of the tribes of Israel.

• “Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob.” (Judges 1:31, NKJV)

This failure to expel the Canaanites meant that the tribe of Asher coexisted with pagan peoples in their land, often leading to the Israelites adopting the practices of these nations, including idol worship, which was contrary to God’s commandments. This issue of incomplete conquest would later lead to periods of judgment and oppression for the Israelites, as seen throughout the Book of Judges.

The Role of Tribe in Biblical Events

Throughout the biblical narrative, the tribe of Asher does not play as prominent a role as some of the other tribes, such as Judah or Ephraim. However, there are several notable instances where the tribe or its members are mentioned.

In the Time of the Judges: The tribe of Asher participated in military campaigns during the time of the judges, though their efforts were sometimes lacking.

 • “Asher continued at the seashore, And stayed by his inlets.” (Judges 5:17, NKJV)

This verse is part of the Song of Deborah, which recounts the defeat of Sisera and the Canaanite armies. In this context, it is a rebuke of Asher for their reluctance to engage in the battle. While other tribes came to the aid of Israel, Asher stayed near their coastland, avoiding involvement in the fight.

During the Reign of David: By the time of King David, the tribe of Asher was included in the census of Israel’s fighting men, suggesting that they still held some military capability.

 • “Of Asher, there were forty thousand going out to war, ready for battle.” (1 Chronicles 7:40, NKJV)

Though not a leading tribe in David’s time, Asher’s warriors were counted among the forces that could be called upon for battle, indicating their continued role within the nation of Israel.

In the Time of Hezekiah: During the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, when he attempted to call the northern tribes back to worship the true God in Jerusalem, some members of the tribe of Asher responded positively.

 • “Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 30:11, NKJV)

This verse demonstrates that even after the division of the kingdom and the apostasy of the northern tribes, there were still individuals from Asher who remained faithful to God and were willing to return to proper worship.

Anna the Prophetess: One of the most significant figures from the tribe of Asher in the New Testament is Anna the prophetess, who is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke.

 • “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” (Luke 2:36-37, NKJV)

Anna is a remarkable example of faithfulness and devotion. As a member of the tribe of Asher, she is recorded as one of the first individuals to recognize the baby Jesus as the promised Messiah when His parents brought Him to the temple.

Asher, the son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a special but often understated place in the Old Testament. His descendants were blessed with prosperity, strength, and security, but like many of the tribes of Israel, they struggled with the challenge of remaining faithful to God in the face of surrounding pagan influences. Though this tribe does not dominate the biblical narrative, their role as part of the collective nation of Israel is important. Individuals like Anna the prophetess serve as reminders of the faithfulness that could be found within the tribe.

The blessings pronounced over Asher by Jacob and Moses point to the prosperity and divine favor that the tribe was meant to enjoy. However, their struggles to fully conquer their land and their reluctance to engage in key battles highlight the ongoing tension between divine blessing and human responsibility. Despite these shortcomings, the tribe of Asher remained part of the broader story of God’s covenant with Israel, with their descendants playing roles in key biblical moments.