Who was Assir in the Bible?

Assir was a Levite, recorded as a son of Korah and a great-grandson of Kohath, from the tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:24; 1 Chronicles 6:22). His lineage placed him within the priestly clan responsible for duties related to the Tabernacle.

What is the significance of Assir's family line?

Assir's significance comes from his lineage, as he was part of the Kohathite clan of Levites, who were entrusted with carrying the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle (Numbers 4:15). His father, Korah, is a more prominent figure known for leading a rebellion against Moses.

Are there any key events in Assir's life?

The Bible does not record specific events in Assir's life; his mention is primarily genealogical, establishing the continuity of the Levitical line. His inclusion in the genealogies confirms the historical record of the priestly families serving Israel.

Assir

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeviteSon

Assir was a son of Korah and great-grandson of Kohath, from the tribe of Levi (Exo 6:24; 1 Chr 6:22).

Assir

Biography

Assir was a son of Korah and a great-grandson of Kohath, the son of Levi, placing him in the heart of the Levitical priestly family during Israel's time in Egypt (Exo 6:24; 1 Chr 6:22). He was a brother of Elkanah and Abiasaph, all born to Korah, the Levite who would later lead a notorious rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Num 16). Assir thus lived in the shadow of one of the Bible's most dramatic acts of divine judgment. Remarkably, the sons of Korah did not perish in the rebellion, as God preserved them (Num 26:11), and their descendants went on to become significant contributors to Israelite worship, authoring several psalms. Assir stands at the beginning of this resilient lineage.

Significance

Assir's lineage carries a profound story of grace. Though his father Korah led a catastrophic rebellion that was judged with swift and terrible divine punishment (Num 16:31-35), the sons of Korah were spared, and their descendants became worshippers and psalmists who composed some of the most beloved hymns in the Psalter (Ps 42-49, 84-85, 87-88). Assir therefore stands as an early witness to a central biblical theme: God's mercy extends beyond the sins of parents to their children who remain faithful. His preservation and the subsequent flourishing of the Korahite tradition in temple worship demonstrate that no family is permanently disqualified from God's service by the failures of a previous generation.

Verse Appearances (2)

Exod

Exod 6:24

1Chr

1Chr 6:22

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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