אַשְׁבֵּלִי
𐤀𐤔𐤁𐤋𐤉
Ashebeli
H789 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Patronymic designation referring to members or descendants of the clan or lineage of Ashbel, an early Israelite ancestor associated with the tribe of Benjamin. In the biblical context, used as a collective noun for those identified as 'Ashbelites.' The word serves to denote a subtribal or family grouping within Israelite tribal structure.
Semantic Range
Ashbelite, member of the Ashbel clan, descendant of Ashbel, an individual or collective group within the tribe of Benjamin
Root / Etymology
Patronymic formation from the personal name אַשְׁבֵּל (Ashbel) with the ending -י indicating 'descendant of' or 'belonging to.' The name Ashbel itself likely derives from an uncertain root, as its meaning is not securely established in Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term אַשְׁבֵּלִי occurs in genealogical lists such as Numbers 26:38, where it distinguishes a specific clan within the tribe of Benjamin, reflecting the social organization of Israelite tribes into extended family groupings descending from presumed ancestral figures. The -י ending is typical for patronymic formations in Hebrew, indicating identification with an ancestor. English translations often render the term as 'Ashbelite(s),' but this may not capture the nuanced clan-based or lineage-specific identity it conveyed in the Israelite context. Later periods use similar patronymics for sub-tribal distinction, but the direct reference here is to the monarchic period's tribal configurations. No religious or political identity beyond familial descent is implied by the term in these contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymic from אַשְׁבֵּל; an Ashbelite (collectively) or descendant of Ashbel; Ashbelites.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אשבל (ʾ-š-b-l) — belonging to Ashbel, descendant of Ashbel, member of Ashbel’s clan
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H789-01 |
הָֽ/אַשְׁבֵּלִ֑י | haashebeli | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Ashbelites | the Ashbelite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H789-01 |
Numbers 26:38 | הָֽ/אַשְׁבֵּלִ֑י | haashebeli | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Ashbelites | the Ashbelite |