Bible Dictionary
Ashkenaz
Ashkenaz was a son of Gomer and grandson of Japheth. His descendants were associated with the region around Armenia and the northern parts of Asia Minor.
Definition
Ashkenaz was a son of Gomer and grandson of Japheth, and the ancestor or designation of a Japhetic people. The name is connected in Jeremiah with the kingdoms of Ararat and Minni.
Biblical Usage
Ashkenaz appears in the genealogical table of nations and in Jeremiah’s call for kingdoms associated with the northern regions to oppose Babylon.
Historical Background
The association with Ararat and Minni suggests a location around Armenia. Other proposed identifications place the people near the Black Sea or northern Asia Minor, but the supplied material does not establish one location conclusively.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
One of the three sons of Gomer (Gen. 10:3), and founder of one of the tribes of the Japhetic race. They are mentioned in connection with Minni and Ararat, and hence their original seat must have been in Armenia (Jer. 51:27), probably near the Black Sea, which, from their founder, was first called Axenus, and afterwards the Euxine.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(spreading fire), one of the three sons of Gomer, son of Japhet. (Genesis 10:3) We may probably recognize the tribe of Ashkenaz on the northern shore of Asia Minor in the name of Lake Ascanius, and in Europe in the name Scandia, Scandinavia . Knobel considers that Ashkenaz is to be identified with the German race.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ash'-ke-naz ('ashkenaz): The name occurs in Ge 10:3; 1Ch 16, in the list of the sons of Japheth as a son of Gomer. See TABLE OF NATIONS. It occurs also in Jer 51:27 (the King James Version "Ashchenaz") in connection with the kingdoms of Ararat and Minni, which suggests a location about Armenia.</p>