אַשְׂרִאֵלִי

אַשְׂרִאֵלִי

an Asrielite (collectively) or descendant of Asriel

Definition

The Hebrew word אַשְׂרִאֵלִי (ʼAsriʼêlîy) is a patronymic noun meaning 'an Asrielite,' referring collectively to the descendants of Asriel. Asriel was a grandson of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, making the Asrielites one of the clans within the tribe of Manasseh. The term specifically denotes the familial or tribal identity of this group, as recorded in the census of Israel's clans. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Numbers 26:31, where it is listed among the clans of Manasseh.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 26:31, within the context of a second census of the Israelites taken in the plains of Moab. It appears in a genealogical list detailing the clans descended from Manasseh through his son Gilead. The usage is purely genealogical and tribal, identifying the Asrielites as a distinct family group for the purpose of inheritance and tribal organization.

Etymology

The word is a standard Hebrew patronymic formation, derived from the personal name אַשְׂרִיאֵל (ʼAsriʼêl, H844), meaning 'God has bound' or 'vow of God.' The suffix '-i' (ִי) indicates 'belonging to' or 'descendant of.' Thus, אַשְׂרִאֵלִי literally means 'of Asriel' or 'descendant of Asriel.' This follows a common biblical pattern for naming family groups, such as the Danites (from Dan) or the Gadites (from Gad).

Semantic Range

While the term itself is primarily genealogical, its inclusion in the Numbers 26 census underscores the theological importance of God's faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant regarding multiplication and inheritance. The meticulous recording of each clan, including the Asrielites, highlights that every family within Israel mattered in God's plan and had a designated inheritance in the Promised Land. It reflects God's orderly provision and the significance of tribal identity in the outworking of salvation history. In ancient Israelite culture, tribal and clan identity was paramount for social structure, land inheritance, and military organization. Being identified as an Asrielite placed an individual within a specific lineage of the tribe of Manasseh, determining their share of the tribal territory and their role within the community. This contrasts with modern individualistic societies, where such detailed genealogical ties hold less daily significance. מְנַשִּׁי (Mᵉnashshîy, H4519) — A broader term for a member of the tribe of Manasseh, whereas Asrielite specifies a sub-clan within it.

Word Details