Advanced Commentary

(ex.: John 3:14-18)

Table of Contents Bible Dictionary
Arts
Questions
Resources/Books

Context
25:1 David <01732> and the army <06635> officers <08269> selected <0914> some of the sons <01121> of Asaph <0623>, Heman <01968>, and Jeduthun <03038> to prophesy <05030> as they played <01961> stringed instruments <05035> <03658> and cymbals <04700>. The following <04557> men <0376> were assigned <04399> this responsibility <05656>: 25:2 From the sons <01121> of Asaph <0623>: Zaccur <02139>, Joseph <03130>, Nethaniah <05418>, and Asarelah <0841>. The sons <01121> of Asaph <0623> were supervised <05921> by <03027> Asaph <0623>, who prophesied <05012> under <05921> the king’s <04428> supervision <03027>. 25:3 From the sons <01121> of Jeduthun <03038>: Gedaliah <01436>, Zeri <06874>, Jeshaiah <03470>, Hashabiah <02811>, and Mattithiah <04993>– six <08337> in all, under <05921> supervision <03027> of their father <01> Jeduthun <03038>, who prophesied <05012> as he played a harp <03658>, giving thanks <03034> and praise <01984> to the Lord <03068>. 25:4 From the sons <01121> of Heman <01968>: Bukkiah <01232>, Mattaniah <04983>, Uzziel <05816>, Shebuel <07619>, Jerimoth <03406>, Hananiah <02608>, Hanani <02607>, Eliathah <0448>, Giddalti <01437>, Romamti-Ezer <07320>, Joshbekashah <03436>, Mallothi <04413>, Hothir <01956>, and Mahazioth <04238>. 25:5 All <03605> these <0428> were the sons <01121> of Heman <01968>, the king’s <04428> prophet <02374>. God <0430> had promised <01697> him these sons in order to make him prestigious <07161> <07311>. God <0430> gave <05414> Heman <01968> fourteen <06240> <0702> sons <01121> and three <07969> daughters <01323>. 25:6 All <03605> of these <0428> were under <05921> the supervision <03027> of their fathers <01>; they were musicians <07892> in the Lord’s <03068> temple <01004>, playing cymbals <04700> and stringed instruments <03658> <05035> as they served <05656> in God’s <0430> temple <01004>. Asaph <0623>, Jeduthun <03038>, and Heman <01968> were under <05921> the supervision <03027> of the king <04428>. 25:7 They and their relatives <0251>, all <03605> of them skilled <0995> and trained <03925> to make music <07892> to the Lord <03068>, numbered <04557> two hundred <03967> eighty-eight <08083> <08084>. 25:8 They cast <05307> lots <01486> to determine their responsibilities <04931>– oldest <01419> as well as youngest <06996>, teacher <0995> as well as student <08527>.

• 1Ch 25:1-31 -- David Organizes the Musicians

• Asaph

  [ebd] convener, or collector. (1.) A Levite; one of the leaders of David's choir (1 Chr. 6:39). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a "seer" (2 Chr. 29:30)...
  [isbe] ASAPH - a'-saf ('acaph): Is the name of three men in the Old Testament, of whom one is the reputed author of Psalms 50 and 73 through 83. He was one of David's three chief musicians, the other two being Heman, and Ethan or J...
  [nave] ASAPH 1. Father of Joah, 2 Kin. 18:18; Isa. 36:3, 22. 2. Son of Berachiah. One of the three leaders of music in David's organization of the tabernacle service, 1 Chr. 15:16-19; 16:5-7; 25:1-9; 2 Chr. 5:12; 35:15; Neh. 12:46...
  

• Music

  [ebd] Jubal was the inventor of musical instruments (Gen. 4:21). The Hebrews were much given to the cultivation of music. Their whole history and literature afford abundant evidence of this. After the Deluge, the first mention of ...
  [smith] The most ancient music. --The inventor of musical instruments, like the first poet and the first forger of metals, was a Cainite. We learn from (Genesis 4:21) that Jubal the son of Lamech was "the father of all such as handl...
  [nave] MUSIC Teachers of, 1 Chr. 15:22; 25:7, 8; 2 Chr. 23:13. Physical effect of, on people, 1 Sam. 16:15, 16, 23. Discoursed during the offering of sacrifices, 2 Chr. 29:27, 28. Precentor, Neh. 12:42. Chief musician, Neh. 12:...
  

• KORAHITES; SONS OF KORAH

  [isbe] KORAHITES; SONS OF KORAH - ko'-ra-its (qorchi), (beno qorach; in the King James Version appears also as Korhite, Kohathite, Kore): This phrase is used to denote Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph, Korah's 3 individual sons (Ex 6...
  

• PRIESTS AND LEVITES

  [isbe] PRIESTS AND LEVITES - (kohen, "priest"; nothing is definitely known as to the origin of the word; Lewi, "Levite," on which see LEVI): I. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE HISTORY 1. The Old View 2. The Graf-Wellhausen View 3. Mediating...
  

• Church and State

  [nave] CHURCH AND STATE (Identical in the theocratic period. No particular Scripture can be cited, but the student is directed to the legislative, judicial, and administrative functions of Moses, Joshua, the Judges, and Samuel as s...
  

• Chronicles, Books of

  [ebd] The two books were originally one. They bore the title in the Massoretic Hebrew Dibre hayyamim, i.e., "Acts of the Days." This title was rendered by Jerome in his Latin version "Chronicon," and hence "Chronicles." In the Sep...
  

• David

  [nave] DAVID 1. King of Israel. Genealogy of, Ruth 4:18-22; 1 Sam. 16:11; 17:12; 1 Chr. 2:3-15; Matt. 1:1-6; Luke 3:31-38. A shepherd, 1 Sam. 16:11. Kills a lion and a bear, 1 Sam. 17:34-36. Anointed king, while a youth, by the ...
  

• Worship

  [nave] WORSHIP, to be rendered to God only, Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7; 6:13; Matt. 4:10; Luke 4:8; Acts 10:26; 14:15; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:8. See: Homage. Of Jesus, See: Jesus, Worship of. Acceptable to God, Gen. 4:4; 8:21. Of th...
  

• Harp

  [nave] HARP, a stringed instrument of music, Isa. 38:20; Ezek. 33:32; Hab. 3:19. With three strings, 1 Sam. 18:6; ten strings, Psa. 33:2; 92:3; 144:9; 150:4. Originated with Jubal, Gen. 4:21. Made of almug wood, 1 Kin. 10:12. Da...
  

• Mallothi

  [ebd] my fulness, a Kohathite Levite, one of the sons of Heman the Levite (1 Chr. 25:4), and chief of the nineteenth division of the temple musicians (26).
  [isbe] MALLOTHI - mal'-o-thi, ma-lo'-thi (mallothi, "my discourse"): Son of Heman, a Kohathite singer (1 Ch 6:33; 25:4). The song service in the house of the Lord was apportioned by David and the captains of the host to the 3 famil...
  [smith] (my fullness), a Kohathite, one of the fourteen sons of Heman the singer. (1 Chronicles 25:4,26)
  [nave] MALLOTHI, son of Heman, a singer, 1 Chr. 25:4, 26.
  

• Heman

  [isbe] HEMAN - he'-man (heman, "faithful"): The name of two men in the Old Testament. (1) A musician and seer, a Levite, son of Joel and grandson of the prophet Samuel; of the family of the Kohathites (1 Ch 6:33), appointed by Davi...
  [nave] HEMAN 1. A man noted for wisdom, to whom Solomon is compared, 1 Kin. 4:31; 1 Chr. 2:6. 2. "The singer,'' a chief Levite, and musician, 1 Chr. 6:33; 15:17, 19; 16:41. The king's seer, 1 Chr. 25:5. His sons and daughters te...
  

• GERSHON; GERSHONITES

  [isbe] GERSHON; GERSHONITES - gur'-shon, gur'-shon-its (gereshon, written also gereshom): Firstborn of the 3 sons of Levi (Ex 6:16; Nu 3:17; 1 Ch 6:1,16 m; 23:6). He had two sons, Libni, also known as Ladan (1 Ch 23:7; 26:21), and ...
  

• Jeduthun

  [ebd] lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6). He is called in 2 Chr. 35:15 "the king's seer." His descendants are mentioned as singer...
  [nave] JEDUTHUN A musician of the temple, 1 Chr. 16:41; 25:1. Called Ethan, 1 Chr. 6:44; 15:17. See titles of Psalms 39; 62; 77.
  

• Mattaniah

  [ebd] gift of Jehovah. (1.) A Levite, son of Heman, the chief of the ninth class of temple singers (1 Chr. 25:4, 16). (2.) A Levite who assisted in purifying the temple at the reformation under Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:13). (3.) The or...
  [isbe] MATTANIAH - mat-a-ni'-a (mattanyaha, "gift of Yah"): (1) King Zedekiah's original name, but changed by Nebuchadnezzar when he made him king over Judah instead of his nephew Jehoiachin (2 Ki 24:17). (2) A descendant of Asaph ...
  [smith] (gift of Jehovah). The original name of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was changed when Nebuchadnezzar placed him on the throne. (2 Kings 24:17) A Levite singer of the sons of Asaph. (1 Chronicles 9:15) He was leader of...
  [nave] MATTANIAH 1. Original name of Zedekiah, king of Judah, 2 Kin. 24:17. See: Zedekiah. 2. A Levite of the sons of Asaph, 2 Chr. 20:14; Neh. 12:8. 3. Son of Heman, who had charge of the ninth division of musicians, 1 Chr. 25:...
  

• Hananiah

  [ebd] Jehovah has given. (1.) A chief of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chr. 8:24). (2.) One of the sons of Heman (1 Chr. 25:4,23). (3.) One of Uzziah's military officers (2 Chr. 26:11). (4.) Grandfather of the captain who arrested Jere...
  [isbe] HANANIAH - han-a-ni'-a (chananyahu, chananyah; Ananias; also with aspirate, "Yahweh hath been gracious"): This was a common name in Israel for many centuries. (1) A Benjamite (1 Ch 8:24). (2) A captain of Uzziah's army (2 Ch...
  [smith] (gift of God). One of the fourteen sons of Heman, and chief of the sixteenth course of singers. (1 Chronicles 25:4,5,23) (B.C. 1014.) A general in the army of King Uzziah. (2 Chronicles 26:11) Father of Zedekiah, in th...
  [nave] HANANIAH 1. Son of Heman, 1 Chr. 25:4, 23. 2. A captain of Uzziah's army, 2 Chr. 26:11. 3. Father of Zedekiah, Jer. 36:12. 4. A prophet of Gibeon who uttered false prophecies in the temple during the reign of Zedekiah, Je...
  

• Mahazioth

  [ebd] visions, a Kohathite Levite, chief of the twenty-third course of musicians (1 Chr. 25:4, 30).
  [isbe] MAHAZIOTH - ma-ha'-iz-oth, ma-ha'-zi-oth (machazi'oth "visions"): One of the 14 sons of Heman the Kohathite in the temple choir. "He was leader of the 23rd course of musicians whose function was to blow the horns" (1 Ch 25:4...
  [smith] (visions). One of the fourteen sons of Heman the Kohathite. (1 Chronicles 25:4,30)
  [nave] MAHAZIOTH, son of Heman, 1 Chr. 25:4, 30.
  

• Uzziel

  [ebd] strength of God. (1.) One of the sons of Kohath, and uncle of Aaron (Ex. 6:18; Lev. 10:4). (2.) A Simeonite captain (1 Chr. 4:39-43). (3.) A son of Bela, and grandson of Benjamin (1 Chr. 7:7). (4.) One of the sons of Heman (...
  [isbe] UZZIEL - u-zi'-el, uz'-i-el, oo'-zi-el (`uzzi'el, "El (God) is my strength"): (1) A "son" of Kohath (Ex 6:18,22; Lev 10:4; Nu 3:19,30; 1 Ch 6:2,18 (Hebrew 5:28; 6:3); 15:10; 23:12,20; 24:24), called in Lev 10:4 "uncle of Aar...
  [smith] (my strength is God). Fourth son of Kohath, father of Mishael, Eizaphan or Elizaphan and Zithri, and uncle to Aaron. (Exodus 6:18,22; Leviticus 10:4) (B.C. before 1491.) A Simeonite captain, son of Ishi, in the days of Hezek...
  [nave] UZZIEL 1. A son of Kohath, Ex. 6:18, 22; Lev. 10:4. 2. A Simeonite captain, 1 Chr. 4:42. 3. Son of Bela, 1 Chr. 7:7. 4. One of David's musicians, 1 Chr. 25:4. 5. A Levite. Son of Jeduthun, 2 Chr. 29:14. 6. A goldsmith. ...
  

• Zaccur

  [ebd] mindful. (1.) Father of Shammua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses (Num. 13:4). (2.) A Merarite Levite (1 Chr. 24:27). (3.) A son of Asaph, and chief of one of the courses of singers as arranged by David (1 Chr. 25:...
  [isbe] ZACCUR - zak'-ur (zakkur, perhaps "ventriloquist" (Gray, Nu, 137)): (1) Father of Shammua the Reubenite spy (Nu 13:4). (2) A Simeonite (1 Ch 4:26); the King James Version "Zacchur." (3) Levites: (a) a Merarite (1 Ch 24:27); ...
  [smith] (mindful). Father of Shammua, the Reubenite spy. (Numbers 13:4) (B.C. 1451.) A Merarite Levite, son of Jaaziah. (1 Chronicles 24:27) Son of Asaph the singer. (1 Chronicles 25:2,10; Nehemiah 12:35) The son of Imri who a...
  [nave] ZACCUR 1. A Reubenite, Num. 13:4. 2. Called also Zacchur, which see. 3. A Merarite, 1 Chr. 24:27. 4. Son of Asaph, 1 Chr. 25:2, 10; Neh. 12:35. 5. Son of Imri, Neh. 3:2.
  

• Hashabiah

  [ebd] regarded by Jehovah. (1.) Merarite Levite (1 Chr. 6:45; 9:14). (2.) A son of Jeduthun (25:3, 19). (3.) Son of Kemuel (26:30). (4.) One of the chief Levites (2 Chr. 35:9). (5.) A Levite (Neh. 11:22). (6.) One of the chief pri...
  [isbe] HASHABIAH - hash-a-bi'-a (chashabhyah): (1) Two Levites of the family of Merari (1 Ch 6:45; 9:14). (2) A Levite who dwelt in Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah (Neh 11:15). (3) A son of Jeduthun (1 Ch 25:3). (4) A Hebronite, ...
  [smith] (whom God regards). A Merarite Levite. (1 Chronicles 6:45) Another Merarite Levite. (1 Chronicles 9:14) The fourth of the six sons of Jeduthun, (1 Chronicles 25:3) who had charge of the twelfth course. ver. 19. (B.C...
  [nave] HASHABIAH 1. Son of Amaziah, a Levite, 1 Chr. 6:45. 2. Son of Jeduthun, a Levite, 1 Chr. 25:3, 19. 3. Son of Kemuel, 1 Chr. 26:30; 27:17. 4. A chief Levite, 2 Chr. 35:9. 5. Son of Bui, 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15. 6. Son of...
  

• Shebuel

  [ebd] captive of God. (1.) One of the descendants of Gershom, who had charge of the temple treasures in the time of David (1 Chr. 23:16; 26:24). (2.) One of the sons of Heman; one of those whose duty it was to "lift up the horn" i...
  [isbe] SHEBUEL - she-bu'-el, sheb'-u-el (shebhu'el; Soubael): (1) A son of Gershom and grandson of Moses (1 Ch 23:16). He was "ruler over the treasures" (1 Ch 26:24). In 1 Ch 24:20 he is called "Shubael," which is probably the orig...
  [nave] SHEBUEL 1. Son of Gershom, 1 Chr. 23:16; 26:24. Called Shubael, 1 Chr. 24:20. 2. A singer, son of Heman, 1 Chr. 25:4. Called Shubael, 1 Chr. 25:20.
  

• The Singers

  

• What Precedent Does the Scripture Furnish for Solos, Duets and Choir Singing in Church?
  In I Cor. 14:26, Paul, referring to the forms of worship of the Corinthian church, wrote: "When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, etc" This verse, especially when read in connection with verse 15, "I will sing ...

Back to Commentary Page