אֶשֶׁר asher (H835) comes from a root word which means “to tie a cord” as in a שֹׁר shor (H8270) which is a naval or umbilical cord (cf. Proverbs 3:8; Ezekiel 16:4) or to make a harness or armor from tightly woven cords (cf. 2 Chronicles 18:33; Isaiah 59:17). In the sense of “happy” אֶשֶׁר asher means “to be straight” because a pulled cord makes a straight line for measurement or to securely fasten something. Thus, to be happy is to live one’s life on straight and upright (cf. Psalms 5:8; Isaiah 40:3) which is יָשַׁר yashar (H3474) and comes from same root as אֶשֶׁר asher.
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