Original Word: אַשְׁחוּר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ashchuwr
Pronunciation: ash-KHOOR
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-khoor')
KJV: Ashur
Word Origin: [probably from H7835 (שָׁחַר - turns black)]

1. black
2. Ashchur, an Israelite

Ashur

Probably from shachar; black; Ashchur, an Israelite -- Ashur.

see HEBREW shachar

אַשְׁחוּר proper name, masculine in Judah, called אֲבִי ׳א תְקוֺעַ 1 Chronicles 2:24; 1 Chronicles 4:5; Ασχω, Σαρα; A Ασδωδ, Ασχουρ; ᵐ5^L Ασσωρ, Ασοωρ.

II. שׁחר (√ of following; MI¹⁵ שחרת, Arabic , Assyrian šêru, Late Hebrew שַׁחַר, Aramaic שַׁחֲרָא all dawn).

Identity and Name

אַשְׁחוּר (Ashhur) appears as a personal name within the genealogies of Judah. Although only mentioned twice, Scripture links him with foundational events in the settlement of southern Judah and with the establishment of the town of Tekoa.

Occurrences in Scripture

• 1 Chronicles 2:24 — “After Hezron died in Caleb-ephrathah, Abijah, the wife of Hezron, bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.”

• 1 Chronicles 4:5 — “Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.”

Genealogical Context

Judah → Perez → Hezron → Ashhur.

Ashhur is therefore a great-grandson of Judah. His birth is recorded as posthumous; Hezron dies in Caleb-ephrathah, and Abijah subsequently bears Ashhur. This detail underscores the Chronicle’s concern to trace every legitimate branch of Judah and to affirm continuity even in the face of death.

Founder of Tekoa

Both references identify Ashhur as “the father of Tekoa,” an idiom meaning founder or chief ancestor of that town. Tekoa lay about six miles south of Bethlehem on a ridge overlooking the wilderness of Judah. Later Scripture associates Tekoa with:

• The wise woman sent by Joab to King David (2 Samuel 14:2).
• The prophet Amos, who identifies himself as “among the shepherds of Tekoa” (Amos 1:1).
• A garrison point during the Maccabean period and a fortress in later Jewish history.

Ashhur’s role as progenitor gives his line a lasting civic and spiritual influence: Tekoa becomes a place from which God raises prophetic voices and wise counsel for the nation.

Family Details

1 Chronicles 4:5–7 expands the household: Ashhur’s two wives, Helah and Naarah, bear sons whose names suggest military strength (Ahuzzam, meaning “possession,” and Temeni, “south-dweller”) and social standing. Through them the Chronicler traces clans that populate the southern hill country.

Historical Significance

The Chronicler writes to a post-exilic audience needing assurance that their fractured community still stands within the ancient promises to Judah. By recording Ashhur, the narrative:

• Preserves memory of ancestral claims to land around Tekoa.
• Demonstrates God’s providence in sustaining family lines even after the death of a patriarch.
• Integrates otherwise forgotten clans into the redemptive account that culminates in David and, ultimately, Messiah.

Spiritual and Theological Implications

1. God’s Covenant Faithfulness

The birth of Ashhur after Hezron’s death highlights the Lord’s ability to continue His purposes despite human limitations.

2. The Value of Unsung Servants

Ashhur never appears in dramatic exploits, yet his descendants influence Israel’s history. Scripture honors such hidden faithfulness.

3. Prophetic Heritage

Tekoa’s later association with Amos reminds readers that God often calls prophets from humble, rural roots—an early echo of the shepherds of Bethlehem who announce Christ’s birth.

Ministerial Reflections

• Genealogies are more than lists; they invite believers to see personal accounts woven into God’s larger plan. Preachers can use Ashhur to encourage congregants that their own faithfulness may bless generations yet unborn.

• Small communities, like Tekoa, can become centers of prophetic voice and wisdom. Churches in seemingly insignificant places should labor with confidence that God sees and records their witness.

Lessons for Believers

• Trust God’s timing: Ashhur’s life begins when circumstances seem least favorable.
• Honor family heritage: Scripture celebrates lineage as a means of transmitting covenant promise.
• Serve where you are planted: founding a village, raising children, or sustaining community life can have far-reaching impact for the kingdom.

Summary

Ashhur, though mentioned only twice, stands as the founding father of Tekoa and a vital link in Judah’s genealogy. His brief appearance testifies to God’s meticulous care for every branch of the covenant family and foreshadows the prophetic and pastoral fruit that would emerge from the hills of Tekoa in centuries to come.

אַשְׁח֖וּר אשחור וּלְאַשְׁחוּר֙ ולאשחור ’aš·ḥūr ’ašḥūr ashChur ū·lə·’aš·ḥūr ūlə’ašḥūr uleashChurInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts