Book of Numbers - Chapter 2 - Verse 27

The verse 'And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.' is from the Book of Numbers in the Bible. In this verse, the tribe of Asher is mentioned as one of the twelve tribes of Israel. According to biblical tradition, the twelve tribes of Israel are descended from the twelve sons of Jacob. Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah, who was Leah's maidservant. The tribe of Asher played a significant role in the history of Israel, particularly during the time when the Israelites were settling in the Promised Land. The captain of the tribe of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran, was responsible for leading his tribe in battle and in their journeys through the wilderness. This verse is a reminder of the importance of each tribe's leadership and their role in the overall structure of the Israelite community.

The tribe of Asher, mentioned in this verse, was one of the twelve tribes of Israel and was known for its occupation of fertile land in the northern part of the country. The name Asher means "happy" or "blessed", which reflects the prosperity and contentment that the tribe was known for. The captain of the children of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ocran, was responsible for leading and organizing the tribe. His name, Pagiel, means "God intervenes" or "whom God makes alive", indicating a reliance on divine intervention and a belief in the power of God.

From a theological perspective, the placement of Asher in the encampment around the tabernacle held significance. The tribe of Asher was positioned on the north side of the tabernacle, along with the tribes of Dan and Naphtali. This positioning was significant because it reflected the organization and orderliness that were central to Israelite society. Each tribe had its own flag and banner, denoting its placement within the larger community. The emphasis on order and structure within the encampment reflected the belief in the divine order and the importance of obedience to God's commands.