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Jaasiel

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleLeader

Jaasiel, the son of Abner, was the leader of the half-tribe of Manasseh during King David's reign (1Ch.27.21).

Jaasiel illustration
Jaasiel

Biography

Jaasiel son of Abner served as the officer in charge of the half-tribe of Manasseh during David's administrative reorganization of Israel, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 27:21. He was part of David's elaborate tribal administration in which each of Israel's tribes was assigned a designated leader responsible for civil and military oversight. His father Abner may reference the famous commander of Saul's army, though some scholars distinguish them as separate individuals. His appointment to lead one of Israel's largest tribal divisions reflects the trust David placed in him. The half-tribe of Manasseh held territory on both sides of the Jordan River, making its oversight administratively complex and requiring a capable and trustworthy leader.

Significance

Jaasiel's role as tribal administrator for the half-tribe of Manasseh illuminates David's gift for organization and delegation. Rather than centralizing all authority personally, David built a structured system of tribal governance, and Jaasiel's appointment demonstrates that capable leadership was recognized and entrusted with significant responsibility across Israel's tribal landscape. Theologically, this administrative framework reflects a vision of ordered community life in which each part of God's people has a designated shepherd and leader. Jaasiel's inclusion in these records affirms that faithful service in organizational and administrative roles, though unglamorous, is part of the infrastructure through which God's covenant community truly flourishes.

Verse Appearances (1)

References

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

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Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources