Who was Azarel in the Bible?

Azarel, son of Jeroham, was a leader of the half-tribe of Manasseh during the reign of King David. He is mentioned as one of David's military commanders and tribal leaders in 1 Chronicles 27:22.

What was Azarel's role in King David's administration?

Azarel served as the leader of the half-tribe of Manasseh, overseeing 24,000 men. This role was part of David's organized system of monthly military divisions and tribal leadership (1 Chronicles 27:1, 22).

Why is Azarel mentioned in the Bible?

Azarel is listed to document the organization of Israel's tribes and military under King David. His mention highlights the structure and governance of the kingdom during a pivotal time in Israel's history.

Azarel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Azarel son of Jeroham was the leader of the half-tribe of Manasseh during David's reign (1 Chr 27:22).

Azarel

Biography

Azarel son of Jeroham was appointed by King David as the officer over the tribe of Dan in the system of monthly military divisions that David organized for Israel's standing administration (1 Chr 27:22). This administrative roster, recorded in 1 Chronicles 27, reflects David's thoroughgoing organization of the kingdom's military, civil, and tribal structures in preparation for the reign of his successor Solomon and the eventual building of the temple. Each tribe had a designated leader responsible for the contingent of twenty-four thousand troops that served in rotation each month. Azarel's appointment over Dan signals that he was a man of recognized standing and military competence within his tribe, trusted by the king with significant administrative responsibility.

Significance

Azarel's role as tribal commander for Dan in David's administrative framework reflects the Chronicler's broader interest in portraying David not merely as a warrior but as a wise organizer who laid institutional foundations for Israel's future. His appointment represents the proper ordering of tribal leadership under a unified Davidic monarchy, a vision the Chronicler presents as a foretaste of the eschatological kingdom. Theologically, the careful administration of the kingdom illustrates that faithful governance is itself a form of service to God, and that God's purposes are advanced not only through dramatic acts of faith but through the steady, ordered stewardship of the communities he entrusts to human leaders.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:22

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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