What was the Asher tribe?

The Tribe of Asher (sometimes spelled Ashir or Asir) was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. According to the Hebrew Bible, the tribe was descended from Asher, eighth son of Jacob with his concubine Zilpah. The tribe is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis and plays an important role in the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent Israelite conquest of Canaan where they settled on the northern coast of the country bordering the Phoenician cities.

Following the split of the United Kingdom of Israel into the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah, the Tribe of Asher presumably belonged to the northern Kingdom of Israel. After the fall of the Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, the tribe disappeared from history, and its members were presumed to have been exiled to Assyria and subsequently assimilated with other populations.

The tribe was traditionally associated with wealth and abundance. The prophet Isaiah described Asher as "a fertile pasture, producing rich food." The tribe was also known for its agricultural prowess and was able to provide for its neighbours.

The Tribe of Asher is one of the most enigmatic and little known of the twelve tribes of Israel. With its origins as a descendant of Jacob and its eventual disappearance following the fall of the Kingdom of Israel, the Tribe of Asher remains an intriguing yet under-researched subject in Biblical and ancient Near Eastern history.