As you have certainly noticed, I did not give any Tribal Characteristics for the Tribe of Asher. What characteristics would you list for this tribe?

-- Anonymous, November 13, 1998

Answers

Concerning the Tribal Characteristics for the Tribe of Asher. I believe that everyone has hit the nail on the head with food adn blessed.

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

If I had to characterize Asher as Dr. Shuemake in his lecture I would say: Asher- Blessed by God and strong over His enemies. Asher is signified by the onyx that is very precious. It like all the stones had been in the Garden of Eden. Two of these stones were found on the shoulders of the High Priest's ephod with the names of the tribes engraved on them, six on one and six on the other. The one representing Asher was second in the fourth row of the breastplate of the high priest. Asher's name means blessed. This is stated in Genesis 30:13 which says, "And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher." Blessings are acknowledge from him as fatness in the prophecy of the tribe of Asher in Genesis 49:20 given through Israel at the time of his death. It says, "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties." Moses speaks of the Tribe of Asher as being an acceptable brethren who will be strong. His tribe is number fifth among the population of the tribes. Reference to God is even mentioned in this prophecy by Moses. Deuternonmy 33:24-29 says, "And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places." From the tribe of Asher is a prophetess that speaks of the Messiah by the name of Anna. Luke 2:36 says, "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;"

-- Anonymous, November 13, 1998

to be brief: Jewel  Onyx (black with bands of dark red) Tribe  Asher (Happiness) Characteristics  Eight son of Jacob born of Zilpah, the concubin. Anna, daughter of Phanuel, who was of the tribe of Asher, as a prophetess and a godly woman, recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2:36-38).

-- Anonymous, November 14, 1998

Sister Jenny said it very well. I might summarize by saying: The name Asher means "happy". 1. Asher was the son of Jacob and Zilpah (Leah's) maid. 2. This tribe was robust people known for producing rich food. 3. Asher was blessed with children 4. He was acceptable to his brethren 5. He was apparently annointed in some manner that I don't quite understand as the blessing said in part "and let him dip his foot in oil".

Bob Ross

-- Anonymous, November 14, 1998

Every one has correctly noticed the charcteristics of "blessedness" connected to Asher. His tribe obviously became a tribe of bounty and generosity as they were willing to share with their brethren. However I wonder if we might consider their absence in the war with Sisera, (Judges 5:17) Asher is not known for any greatness, or personalities outside of Anna the prophetess in Luke 2. Perhaps the lesson is that bounty and riches can lead to complacency if we are not careful. It seems to me that Asher was characterized by "wealth" and "complacency"

Jim

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1998

Jacob's blessing over Asher was:

Gen 30:20 20 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

My research into a couple of areas yielded that Asher was chosen as the baker for the tribes of Israel. Thus, his "bread shall be fat", or as one might say "his food will be rich". Royal dainties seems to indicate luxurious foods-perhaps beautiful and delicious pastries which were well beyond the staple diet. The commentaries which I consulted seemed to indicate bounty and luxury as characteristic blessings bestowed upon Asher and his descendants. I would guess that baking was in those days (as well as today) a considerable art. Remember Pharoah's "chief baker" that was imprisoned with Joseph? All big hotels and restaurants today have specialized "pastry chefs" who make the "royal dainties" for the rich folk who eat there! I would imagine that the nation of Israel, as it grew, had need of such special skill, both for its sustenance and for "special" occassions such as the table of shewbread.

Perhaps the Tribe of Asher was responsible for preparing the special shewbread for the Levitcal priesthood to use in the Tabernacle? This was certainly a "special" bread to be flavored with frankincense, and it was to be used in the priestly service in a "royal" manner upon the table of shewbread.

Deuteronomy 33:24 24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

"Dip his foot in oil"...hmmm...I would agree with Bro. Bob that this must indicate a special anointing upon this tribe. Again, my source (Matthew Henry) indicates that the oil signifies "plenty".

Perhaps a special anointing to serve-a special anointing to do a "behind the scenes" ministry in the shadows...one that is not up-front or noticed, but absolutely vital and a blessing??? To prepare the bread...the "bread of life"...the shewbread???

Perhaps I'm stretching...forgive me if I'm "out there"...it's been a loooong day! (smile)

Blessings to you all, Mark

-- Anonymous, November 19, 1998

Asher was the son of Leah through her handmaid Zilpah. He was a point of happiness for Leah as she gained control in her mind. So from the beginning Asher was the quiet joy of Israel. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son. And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher (Genesis 30:12-13 KJV). Asher, the blessing of Leah and as was spoken of by Jacob, as the one to make bread fat. Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties (Genesis 49:20 KJV). We see in Deuteronomy 33:24-27 the blessedness of Asher to Israel in Moses farewell address when he says, And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Yet even for all the blessedness of Asher, it came upon failure as well as the rest of Israel. They compromised as did all the rest of Israel. It is said in Judges, Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out (Judges 1:31-32 KJV). In summary asher was a blessing to Israel and ready to defend and protect the happiness of Israel.

-- Anonymous, November 20, 1998