Pagiel

Pagiel the son of Ochran is the wilderness-era leader of the tribe of Asher. He surfaces in five passages in Numbers, all clustered around the organization of Israel at Sinai: the census, the camp arrangement, the dedication of the altar, and the order of march.

Prince of Asher in the Census

When Yahweh tells Moses to take a census of Israel, the head of each tribe is named. For Asher the appointed man is Pagiel: "Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran" (Num 1:13).

Position in the Camp

In the camp arrangement around the tabernacle, Asher is grouped with Dan and Naphtali on the north side. Pagiel is the named prince at the head of his tribe in that quarter: "And those who encamp next to him will be the tribe of Asher: and the prince of the sons of Asher will be Pagiel the son of Ochran" (Num 2:27).

The Eleventh-Day Offering

When the princes of Israel bring their offerings for the dedication of the altar, each tribe's leader presents on a separate day. Pagiel's day is the eleventh: "On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, prince of the sons of Asher" (Num 7:72). The record of his gift closes with the peace-offering: "and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Pagiel the son of Ochran" (Num 7:77).

Commander on the March

When the cloud lifts and Israel sets out from Sinai, the tribes move in formation, each under its named leader. Pagiel is over the host of Asher as it moves: "And over the host of the tribe of the sons of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ochran" (Num 10:26).