אֲשַׂרְאֵל
Asarel, an Israelite
Definition
Asarel is a proper name of an Israelite man, appearing only once in the Bible. The name is listed among the descendants of Judah in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:16. He is identified as a son of Jehallelel, making him part of the tribe of Judah's lineage. As a proper name, it refers solely to this individual, and no other meanings or senses are attested in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a personal name in a genealogical context. It appears only in 1 Chronicles 4:16, within a list of Judah's descendants. This usage is typical for many proper nouns found in the Chronicler's genealogies, which serve to establish lineage and tribal identity.
Etymology
The name Asarel is derived from a combination of elements. It is considered an orthographical variation of the name Asharel (H833), which itself comes from the root אָשַׁר (ʼāšar), meaning 'to be straight, right, or happy,' combined with אֵל (ʼēl), the common word for 'God.' Thus, the name likely means 'God has made straight,' 'right of God,' or 'God is upright.'
Semantic Range
While the individual Asarel is not a major biblical figure, his name carries theological weight. Names compounded with 'El' (God) often reflect Israelite faith and identity, acknowledging God's character or actions. The meaning 'right of God' or 'God is upright' subtly points to God's righteousness and justice. In the context of 1 Chronicles, such names in genealogies reinforce the theme of God's faithful covenant relationship with the tribe of Judah and the lineage leading to David.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were deeply significant, often describing a hoped-for character, an circumstance of birth, or an attribute of God. A name like Asarel, meaning 'right of God,' would have served as a constant, personal reminder of God's righteous nature and the expectation for the bearer to walk in uprightness. This differs from modern naming conventions, which are often chosen for sound or family tradition rather than explicit meaning.
Asharel (ʼAsharel, H833) — A very similar name with the same etymological meaning, listed as a son of Bani in Ezra 10:41.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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