Asgad
Ancestor of a prominent family after the exile
Asgad was the head of a large clan that played an important role in the restoration of the Jewish community after the exile in Babylon. Although biblical sources tell little about Asgad personally, the number of his descendants testifies to the significance of the family. At the first return under Zerubbabel (around 538 B.C.), 1222 of his descendants are listed, and under Ezra's leadership (around 458 B.C.) an additional 110 men returned, led by Johanan son of Hakkoz. Nehemiah's parallel list records 2322 descendants, a difference in numbers that likely reflects textual-critical and recording variations. Asgad's clan also distinguished itself at the sealing of the covenant during Nehemiah's reforms, where they pledged loyalty to the Torah. This participation in several decisive events during the restoration period—from the return from exile to the renewal of the covenant—shows that the family was a supporting force in the renewed community in Jerusalem.
Nyckelhändelser
Asgad's descendants return with Zerubbabel
At the first return from Babylon under Zerubbabel, 1,222 of Asgad's descendants were among those who returned to Judah and Jerusalem.
Recorded in Nehemiah's list
Asgad's descendants are also listed in Nehemiah's register of those who returned, with a count of 2,322. The difference from the number in Ezra's list may be due to different times of registration or variations in the textual transmission.
Further descendants return with Ezra
Under Ezra's leadership, even more of Asgad's descendants returned to Jerusalem, led by Johanan son of Hakkoz, with 110 men.
Asgad's descendants seal the covenant
Representatives from the family of Ashgad were among those who set their seal on the written covenant to follow God's law during Nehemiah's reforms in Jerusalem.