Interesting Facts

• Ashcol is listed in the book of Jasher as one of the sons of Arpachshad.
• Ashcol is identified as one of the men who accompanied Abram in the battle against the kings who had taken Lot captive and plundered Sodom.
• Abram specifically mentioned Ashcol, along with Aner and Mamre, stating that they should take their portion of the spoil from the recovered goods.

Genealogy

• According to Jasher, Ashcol was a son of Arpachshad.
• Arpachshad was a son of Shem, who was a son of Noah.
• The sources do not provide information regarding Ashcol’s birth year, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

Ashcol lived in the early generations after the deluge, a time when the descendants of Noah were spreading and establishing communities. The narrative places Ashcol in the sphere of Abram and Lot, indicating a period before a more defined tribal and national landscape emerged. The event in which Ashcol is involved, the conflict with the kings who attacked Sodom and captured Lot, reveals a world of localized power struggles and the intervention of patriarchal figures like Abram to protect their kin and allies. The customs surrounding warfare and the division of spoils, as seen in Abram’s consideration for Ashcol and his companions, reflect the societal norms of that era.

Narrative

Ashcol’s role in the narrative, as gleaned from the available texts, is primarily tied to his association with Abram. He is named as one of the men who went with Abram to war against the coalition of kings led by Chedorlaomer, who had despoiled Sodom and taken Lot captive. This participation suggests a level of alliance or loyalty between Ashcol and Abram. Furthermore, Abram’s explicit statement to the king of Sodom that Ashcol, along with Aner and Mamre, should receive his due portion of the recovered goods highlights Ashcol’s contribution to the successful military engagement and Abram’s commitment to ensuring his allies were justly compensated. While the sources do not record any direct speech or independent actions of Ashcol, his inclusion in this pivotal event underscores his position as a supporter and comrade of Abram during a time of conflict and rescue in the land of Canaan.