Asher

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Asher” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “(oak) tree” that signifies fruitfulness (referring to Genesis 49:20). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Asher” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

More information on Asher and the Tribe of Asher .

Translation commentary on Judges 7:23

As soon as Gideon was empowered by the spirit of Yahweh (verse 6.34), he called for his kinsmen from the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali (verse 6.35). Here they arrive, though presumably men from these tribes were already among the 300 soldiers.

Revised Standard Version sees this verse as concluding this subsection. However, several versions have this verse begin a new episode that continues to 8.3 (so Contemporary English Version, New American Bible). 7.23–8.3 gives accounts of how others from some of the Israelite tribes came to the aid of their brothers. If we are following Revised Standard Version, this verse will close out this unit. But it is also possible to make it a short paragraph or to join it to the subsection that follows.

And the men of Israel were called out … is literally “And the man of Israel was called….” “Man of Israel” is the same expression used in verse 7.14, but here it has a plural sense. Were called out renders a Hebrew verb that normally means “cry out for help” or “cry in distress” (see verse 4.3). However, here its verb form means “summon for military action.” In English it is better translated “were called up” rather than were called out. This verb is passive, but no agent is mentioned. However, it is clear that Gideon is the leader who issued this call, so we might say “Then Gideon called for more Israelite men….” Contemporary English Version has “Gideon sent word for more Israelite soldiers to come….”

From Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh: See verse 6.35. These are the names of three tribes who sent additional warriors to assist Gideon in his war against the Midianites. The names of the tribes also became the names of their regions, so from Naphtali, from Asher, and from all Manasseh are ambiguous phrases. They could mean “from the tribe…” or “from the region of….” The repetition of the preposition from reflects the Hebrew, but it will not be necessary to repeat it in all languages, for example, “Then Gideon called to battle more soldiers from the tribes/regions of Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh.” Gideon was from the tribe Manasseh (see verse 6.15), so here he is calling his own kinsmen for help. Manasseh was divided into two subgroups, each being on opposite sides of the Jordan River. All Manasseh means that men came from both sides to fight with Gideon. Good News Translation says “both parts of Manasseh,” while Contemporary English Version speaks of “both halves of Manasseh.” Translators should find an appropriate way to refer to these two groups and can put an explanation in a footnote if necessary.

And they pursued after Midian: The pronoun they refers to Gideon, his 300 men, and the additional men that came from the three tribes mentioned here. In many languages it will be necessary to add one more step. Once the men from these tribes were summoned, they “came together,” and then pursued (see verse 1.6) the Midianites. Pursued after may be rendered “chased” or “went after.” Midian refers to all the Midianites who survived the slaughter and tried to flee.

Translation models for this verse are:

• Then more Israelites from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher and both parts of the tribe of Manasseh were summoned for battle. They joined the other Israelites in going after the Midianites.

• Then Gideon called up additional men from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and the two parts of the tribe of Manasseh. They all joined Gideon in pursuit of the Midianites.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .