The Hebrew word ʼAshchûwr, represented by H806, is the name of an Israelite. Its base definition is black. This name appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, situating this individual within the detailed genealogies of the Old Testament.
Both occurrences of H806 are found in the book of 1 Chronicles and serve to establish genealogical records. Ashur is first mentioned as the son of Hezron H2696 and his wife Abiah H29, noting that he was born after his father was dead 1 Chronicles 2:24. In both verses, he is identified by the title "the father H1 of Tekoa H8620". The second reference expands on his family, stating that Ashur had two H8147 wives H802, Helah H2458 and Naarah H5292 1 Chronicles 4:5.
The narrative of Ashur is embedded within a network of familial and geographical relationships:
- H2696 Chetsrôwn (Hezron): Ashur's father, an Israelite from the line of Judah 1 Chronicles 2:24. His death before Ashur's birth is a key detail in the genealogical account.
- H29 ʼĂbîyâh (Abiah): Ashur's mother and the wife of Hezron 1 Chronicles 2:24. She is the one who bore H3205 Ashur after her husband's death.
- H8620 Tᵉqôwaʻ (Tekoa): The place for which Ashur is named "the father." This identifies him as the founder or chief patriarch of this community in Palestine (1 Chronicles 2:24, 1 Chronicles 4:5).
- H2458 Chelʼâh (Helah): One of Ashur's two wives, through whom his lineage continued 1 Chronicles 4:5.
- H5292 Naʻărâh (Naarah): The second of Ashur's two wives mentioned in the genealogical list 1 Chronicles 4:5.
While brief, the account of H806 carries weight within the biblical narrative of lineage and inheritance.
- Continuation of Lineage: Ashur's birth is specifically noted as occurring after H310 the death H4194 of his father, Hezron 1 Chronicles 2:24. This highlights the continuation of a patriarchal line even when it seems to be cut short, a significant theme in a culture focused on inheritance.
- Founder of a Community: The recurring title "the father of Tekoa" (1 Chronicles 2:24, 1 Chronicles 4:5) elevates Ashur from simply being a son to being a progenitor. He is the foundational figure for Tekoa, a town later associated with the prophet Amos Amos 1:1 and fortified by King Rehoboam's son 2 Chronicles 11:6.
- Genealogical Link: Ashur serves as a crucial link within the tribe of Judah, connecting the prominent line of Hezron directly to the establishment of a significant Israelite town.
In summary, H806 ʼAshchûwr is not just a name in a list but represents a key genealogical pin. His story, though confined to two verses, underscores the importance of progeny in securing legacy and heritage in ancient Israel. He is remembered primarily for his role as a son who continued his father's line posthumously and as a father who founded the community of Tekoa, thereby embedding his identity into the very geography of the nation.
TRV