'''Asher''' (which means "happy") was the eighth son of [[Jacob]] and second of [[Zilpah]], the maidservant of [[Leah]]. His story is recorded in the [[Bible]] in the book of [[Genesis]] (Gen 30:12-13). Leah named him. His descendants were one of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]]. In [[Jacob]]'s deathbed blessing, he said of Asher: <blockquote>"Asher's food will be rich. He will provide delicacies fit for a king." (Gen 49:20) </blockquote>
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'''Asher''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''אשׁר''', ''ʾĀshêr''; "happy)", (b. 2252 AM or 1752 BC), was the second son of [[Jacob]] and [[Zilpah]], the handmaid of [[Leah]]. He was the ancestor of the Tribe of [[Asher (tribe)|Asher]], one of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]]. ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=30|verses=13}}, {{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=35|verses=26}})
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== Entry into Egypt ==
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In 2298 AM (1706 BC), Asher entered [[Egypt]] permanently, having visited Egypt twice before to buy grain during the famine of 2296-2302 AM (1708-1701 BC). He was 46 years old at the time and had four named sons ([[Jimnah]], [[Ishuah]], [[Isui]], and [[Beriah]]) and a daughter ([[Serah]]). ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=46|verses=17}})
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==References==
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* [http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_762507844/Asher.html Asher] by Encarta MSN
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* Jones, Floyd N. ''[[The Chronology of the Old Testament]]''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, p. 278.