ASH to ASHIMA

ASH

(Heb. o'ren, "tremulous"), mentioned only Isa. 44:14 (R.V., "fir tree").

It is rendered "pine tree" both in the LXX. and Vulgate versions. There is a tree called by the Arabs aran, found still in the valleys of Arabia Petraea, whose leaf resembles that of the mountain ash. This may be the tree meant. Our ash tree is not known in Syria.

A tree Isa 44:14

ASHAN

A Levitical city of Judah, later of Simeon Jos 15:42; 19:7; 1Ch 4:32; 6:59

See AIN

ASHBEA

A descendant of Shelah 1Ch 4:21

ASHBEL

Son of Benjamin Ge 46:21; Nu 26:38; 1Ch 8:1

ASHCHENAZ

See ASHKENAZ

ASHDOD

stronghold, a Philistine city (Josh. 15:47), about midway between Gaza and Joppa, and 3 miles from the Mediterranean.

It was one of the chief seats of the worship of Dagon (1 Sam. 5:5). It belonged to the tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:47), but it never came into their actual possession. It was an important city, as it stood on the highroad from Egypt to Palestine, and hence was strongly fortified (2 Chr. 26:6; Isa. 20:1).

Uzziah took it, but fifty years after his death it was taken by the Assyrians (B.C. 758).

According to Sargon's record, it was captured by him in B.C. 711. The only reference to it in the New Testament, where it is called Azotus, is in the account of Philip's return from Gaza (Acts 8:40). It is now called Eshdud.

A city of the Philistines Jos 13:3; 1Sa 6:17; Am 3:9

Anakim inhabit Jos 11:22 Assigned to Judah Jos 15:47 Dagon's temple in, where the ark of the covenant was put temporarily 1Sa 5

Conquest of, by Uzziah 2Ch 26:6 Conquest by Tartan Isa 20:1

People of, conspire against the Jews Ne 4:7, 8 Jews intermarry with Ne 13:23, 24 Prophecies concerning Jer 25:20; Am 1:8; 9; Zep 2:4; Zec 9:6 Called AZOTUS Ac 8:40

ASHDOTH-PISGAH

(Deut. 3:17; Josh. 12:3; 13:20) in Authorized Version, but in Revised Version translated "slopes of Pisgah."

In Deut. 4:49 it is translated in the Authorized Version "springs of Pisgah." The name Ashdoth is translated "springs" in the Authorized Version, but "slopes" in the Revised Version, of Josh. 10:40 and 12:8. It has been identified with the springs under Mount Nebo, now called 'Ayun Musa.

The water courses flowing from Mount Pisgah Deut 3:17; 4:49; Jos 12:3; 13:20

ASHER

happy, Jacob's eigth son; his mother was Zilpah, Leah's handmaid (Gen. 30:13).

Of the tribe founded by him nothing is recorded beyond its holding a place in the list of the tribes (35:26; 46:17; Ex. 1:4, etc.) It increased in numbers twenty-nine percent, during the thirty-eight years' wanderings. The place of this tribe during the march through the desert was between Dan and Naphtali (Num. 2:27).

The boundaries of the inheritance given to it, which contained some of the richest soil in Palestine, and the names of its towns, are recorded in Josh. 19:24-31; Judg. 1:31, 32. Asher and Simeon were the only tribes west of the Jordan which furnished no hero or judge for the nation. Anna the prophetess was of this tribe (Luke 2:36).

1. Son of Jacob, by Zilpah Ge 30:13; 35:26; 49:20; Ex 1:4; 1Ch 2:2 .Descendants of Ge 46:17; Nu 26:44-47

2. Tribe of: Census of, by families Nu 1:40, 41; 26:44-47; 1Ch 7:40; 12:36 .Station of, in camp Nu 2:25, 27 .Prophecies concerning .By Moses Deut 33:24, 25 .By John Re 7:6 .Allotment to, of land in Canaan Jos 19:24-31; Eze 48:2 .Upbraided by Deborah Jud 5:17 .Summoned by Gideon Jud 6:35; 7:23 .Join Hezekiah 2Ch 30:11

3. A city of Shechem Jos 17:7; 1Ki 4:16

ASHERAH

and pl. Asherim in Revised Version, instead of "grove" and "groves" of the Authorized Version. This was the name of a sensual Canaanitish goddess Astarte, the feminine of the Assyrian Ishtar. Its symbol was the stem of a tree deprived of its boughs, and rudely shaped into an image, and planted in the ground.

Such religious symbols ("groves") are frequently alluded to in Scripture (Ex. 34:13; Judg. 6:25; 2 Kings 23:6; 1 Kings 16:33, etc.). These images were also sometimes made of silver or of carved stone (2 Kings 21:7; "the graven image of Asherah," R.V.).

See GROVES

ASHES

The ashes of a red heifer burned entire (Num. 19:5) when sprinkled on the unclean made them ceremonially clean (Heb. 9:13).

To cover the head with ashes was a token of self-abhorrence and humiliation (2 Sam. 13:19; Esther 4:3; Jer. 6:26, etc.).

To feed on ashes (Isa. 44:20), means to seek that which will prove to be vain and unsatisfactory, and hence it denotes the unsatisfactory nature of idol-worship. (Comp. Hos. 12:1).

Uses of, in purification Nu 19:9, 10, 17; Heb 9:13

A symbol of mourning 2Sa 13:19; Es 4:1, 3

Sitting in Job 2:8

Repenting in Job 42:6; Da 9:3; Jn 3:6; Mt 11:21; Lk 10:13

Disguises in 1Ki 20:38, 41

ASHIMA

An idol 2Ki 17:30