Asher

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Asher (Hebrew: אָשֵׁר, Standard Ašer Tiberian ʾĀšēr), in the Book of Genesis, is the second son of Jacob and Zilpah, and the founder of the Tribe of Asher. Ashar is also a place in Israel.

Asher comes from the Hebrew word Osher meaning "happy" or "blessing" but many scholars associated the origin of the name with the goddess Asherah. [1] Asher played a role in the plot to sell his brother Joseph into slavery.[citation needed] Asher and his four sons and daughter settled in Canaan. [2].

Asher's daughter, Serach, is the only granddaughter of Jacob mentioned in the Torah.[citation needed]

Asher has 2 variant forms: Ash and Asser.

According to Johan Millen a Swedish scientist published a book 1917 ("Mitt i ljuset") he claims that the tribe of Asher moved to Azerbabjan after the Babylonion capture. Thor Heyerdahl claims in his book "Jakten på Oden" that 60BC the tribe fled from a roman army to Sweden.

Contents

[edit] People named Asher

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Metzger & Coogan (1993) Oxford Companion to the Bible, p62
  2. ^ On his deathbed, Jacob blesses Asher by saying that his, "food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies"(Genesis 49:20 English Standard Version)

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Sons of Jacob by wife in order of birth (D = Daughter)
Leah Reuben (1) Simeon (2) Levi (3) Judah (4) Issachar (9) Zebulun (10) Dinah (D)
Rachel Joseph (11) Benjamin (12)
Bilhah (Rachel's servant) Dan (5) Naphtali (6)
Zilpah (Leah's servant) Gad (7) Asher (8)