Asriel (sometimes rendered as Ashriel in the King James Version) is a significant name that appears in the tribal records of Israel, connecting him directly to one of the great patriarchs, Joseph. He is associated with the large and historically important tribe of Manasseh.
The name Asriel is of Hebrew origin and carries the uplifting meaning, “Vow of God” or “God is my help.” Like many names in the biblical genealogies, it is a testament to the family’s faith and trust in the Almighty.
The Lineage of Manasseh
Asriel’s primary importance lies in his connection to the foundational structure of the tribe of Manasseh, the elder of Joseph’s two sons. The biblical records give two perspectives on his lineage:
- Numbers and Joshua: These books list Asriel as a key ancestor whose descendants, the Asrielites, form one of the major families that received an inheritance in the Promised Land.The King James Version establishes his family in the census taken on the plains of Moab:These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites: And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: (Numbers 26:30–31)
- Chronicles: The book of Chronicles provides a more specific genealogical note, suggesting a mixed background for this important line. Here, his name is transcribed as Ashriel.The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:) (1 Chronicles 7:14)
Significance to the Promised Land
The very fact that the family of the Asrielites is consistently listed in the tribal records of Numbers and Joshua underscores their enduring importance. Their name was not merely a historical footnote but a tribal marker, defining a portion of the people who inherited the land of Canaan.
The allotment of the territory for the tribe of Manasseh, which stretched from the Jordan River to the coast, included the families descended from Asriel. His inclusion in these lists serves a crucial function: it validates the land claims of the Asrielites and shows the divine faithfulness in distributing the inheritance promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
In the tapestry of Israel’s history, Asriel represents the countless individuals whose lives, though only briefly recorded, were essential links in the chain of God’s providence, ensuring the formation and continuity of the twelve tribes and the fulfillment of the divine covenant.