Hebrew · Strong's H622
אָסַף
(ah-SAF)
verb
To gather or collect people, objects, or resources for various purposes, or to remove or take away.
The Hebrew verb אָסַף (asaf) carries a broad semantic range primarily revolving around the act of gathering. It can refer to the physical collection of objects, people, or resources, such as "gathering" crops from a field (Exod 23:16) or "gathering" an army for battle (2 Sam 10:17). This sense of bringing things together often implies an assembly or congregation, whether for specific tasks or simply for unified presence. The term can also encompass the idea of receiving or adding to a collection, as seen in the gathering of silver for the temple (2 Kgs 22:4). The extensive usage in the Old Testament highlights its commonality in everyday life and significant events. The nuance of the verb may reflect the intention or outcome of the gathering—whether for preservation, destruction, or simple collection.
Beyond gathering in a constructive sense, אָסַף can also convey the action of taking away or removing. This may involve elements of destruction or loss, as in "gathering up" wares out of the land in preparation for trouble (Jer 10:17). This sense of removal can also be neutral, such as when one gathers in their labors from the field. It is even used metaphorically where divine power is attributed to gathering the wind (Prov 30:4). The versatility of אָסַף allows it to describe a wide array of actions, from mundane agricultural tasks to military mobilizations and even expressions of divine control over creation. The specific context is crucial for discerning the precise meaning and implications of the verb in any given passage.
אָסַף is a foundational term in understanding how ancient Israel perceived the acts of collection, assembly, and removal. Its widespread use in narrative, legal, and poetic texts underscores its importance in describing both human and divine activities. The theological weight of "gathering" often relates to God's actions of assembling His people, whether for blessing or judgment. The idea of being "gathered to one's fathers" is also a euphemism for death, though this is a distinct usage often found with a different construction. In essence, אָסַף describes the bringing together or taking away of distinct entities, a fundamental process in the organization and disorganization of life.
Common English renderings
- gather
- assemble
- take away
- remove
- collect
- receive
- bring
Key verses
"And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him."
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"Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the money which is brought into the house of Jehovah, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people:"
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"and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou sowest in the field: and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy labors out of the field."
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"And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it home to thy house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him."
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"Gather up thy wares out of the land, O thou that abidest in the siege."
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"Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou knowest?"
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Related words