Lexical Definition

‎עֲשָׂהאֵל‎ ʻĂsâhʼêl (as-aw-ale') Asahel ^N:N-M-P
from ‎עָשָׂה‎ and ‎אֵל‎; God has made

Asahel.

• § Asahel = "God-made"
• Asahel, the name of four Israelites

1) nephew of David, son of David's sister Zeruiah, and brother of Joab and Abishai; swift of foot he was killed by Abner when he pursued him in battle and caught him
2) a Levite in the reign of king Jehoshaphat of Judah who went through the kingdom giving instruction in the law
3) a Levite in the reign of king Hezekiah of Judah in charge of the tithes and dedicated things in the temple
4) a priest, father of Jonathan, in the time of Ezra

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.2.18 his mother was Zeruiah (צְרוּיָה)
• brother of: Abishai (אֲבִישַׁי) and Joab (יוֹאָב)
• father of: Zebadiah (זְבַדְיָה)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎עֲשָׂהאֵל‎₁₈ proper name, masculine Ασαηλ, ᵐ5^L Ασσαηλ (on this and following compare ‎אֶלְעָשָׂה‎); —

1. brother of Joab and Abishai 2Sam 2:18 (twice in verse) + 7 t. 2, + 2Sam 3:27; 2Sam 3:30; 2Sam 23:24; 1Chr 2:16; 1Chr 11:26; 1Chr 27:7.

2. Levites:
a. 2Chr 17:8 (Ιασειηλ,Ασιηλ).
b. 2Chr 31:13.

3. post-exile name Ezra 10:15.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • David's compatriot • Son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, killed by Abner

David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy

Asahel, son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, was a fast runner killed by Abner during a battle (2 Sam 2; 3:27, 30; 23:24; 1 Chr 2:16; 11:26; 27:7).

• David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.2.18;
• only referred to as Asahel עֲשָׂהאֵל;
• his mother was Zeruiah צְרוּיָה;
• a brother of Abishai אֲבִישַׁי and Joab יוֹאָב;
• father of Zebadiah זְבַדְיָה.

Asahel was the youngest son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and the brother of Joab and Abishai. He was known for his speed and agility, being described as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. During the battle between the forces of David and Ish-Bosheth at Gibeon, Asahel pursued Abner, the commander of Ish-Bosheth's army. Despite Abner's warnings to turn aside, Asahel refused, and Abner killed him with the butt of his spear. Joab and Abishai later avenged their brother's death by murdering Abner when he came to support David. Asahel was one of David's mighty men and was placed in charge of a division in David's army.

All entries for Asahel: עֲשָׂהאֵל

Related Profiles:

• husband_of_Zeruiah (father)
• Zeruiah (mother)
• Abishai (sibling)
• Joab (sibling)
• Zebadiah (child)