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1 Chronicles 15:19 — Word Study

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WLCוְהַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים הֵימָ֥ן אָסָ֖ף וְאֵיתָ֑ן בִּמְצִלְתַּ֥יִם נְחֹ֖שֶׁת לְהַשְׁמִֽיעַ׃

BSAThe musiciansshîyr [singers, to sing with musical accompaniment] HemanHêymân AsaphʼÂçâph and EthanʼÊythân were to soundshâmaʻ [strike, play loudly] the bronzenᵉchôsheth [copper, made of copper alloy] cymbalsmᵉtsêleth [double tinklers, metal plates used for musical expression]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 15
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 19 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (le.hash.Mi.a') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
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1 Chronicles 15:19quick helps
In a sentenceThe musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were designated to play the bronze cymbals.
Who is speakingThe chronicler, detailing the roles of the musicians in worship.
Where we areA description of the musicians involved in the worship service during the United Monarchy.
The hard wordנְחֹשֶׁת
Take awayThe musicians have a specific role in worship, emphasizing the importance of music in praising God.
4 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Whedon & more — read them › clause The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 15:19

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Musicians in Worshipgenerated

18and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.
19The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
20Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps according to Alamoth.
21And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith.

1 Chronicles 15:19 describes the musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, who were appointed to play the bronze cymbals during the worship service. This verse highlights the structured nature of worship in ancient Israel, where specific roles were assigned to individuals to enhance the musical expression of praise. The mention of these musicians connects to other passages that detail the organization of worship and the significance of music in glorifying God, as seen in Psalm 150:5.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Chronicles 15:16David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.
21 Chronicles 13:8David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
31 Chronicles 16:5–42Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals
41 Chronicles 25:1–6Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
5Psalm 150:5Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;1 Chronicles 15:16 1 Chronicles 13:8 1 Chronicles 16:5–42 1 Chronicles 25:1–6 Psalm 150:5

The Key Word שִׁיר, shiyrgenerated

The Hebrew word שִׁיר (shiyr) means 'to sing' and is derived from a primitive root. It encompasses various forms of singing, including the act of singing itself and the individuals who sing, such as the singers mentioned here. This word is often associated with worship and praise, reflecting the role of music in the life of the community.

The parsing indicates that it is a piel participle in the masculine plural form, suggesting that these are active participants in the act of singing. The use of this term emphasizes their role as musicians who contribute to the worship experience.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb הַשְׁמִֽיעַ governs the entire verse, indicating the primary action of the musicians. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject, which is the musicians, followed by a prepositional phrase that describes the instruments they are to use.

The order of the words places emphasis on the musicians and their specific role in worship, highlighting the importance of their contribution to the overall worship experience.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the term used for שִׁיר is ψαλτῳδοί, which translates to 'singers' or 'musicians'. This choice reflects a broader understanding of musical roles within the worship context, suggesting a focus on the act of singing as a form of praise.

The rendering of נְחֹשֶׁת as ξαλκοῖς indicates a direct correspondence to bronze or cymbals, maintaining the material aspect of the instruments used in worship.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 15:19 tells us that the musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play the bronze cymbals during worship. This highlights the importance of music in praising God and the structured roles within the worship service.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Who were the musicians mentioned in this verse?

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play the bronze cymbals during worship, indicating their significant roles in the musical aspect of the service.

What is the significance of the bronze cymbals?

The bronze cymbals were used in worship to produce sound and enhance the musical expression, reflecting the importance of music in praising God.

How does this verse connect to other passages about worship?

This verse connects to other passages that detail the organization of worship and the roles of musicians, such as in 1 Chronicles 16:5-42, where the significance of music in glorifying God is further emphasized.

What does the term 'singers' imply in this context?

The term 'singers' implies that these individuals were actively involved in the worship service, contributing to the musical expression of praise to God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What role does music play in your worship experience?
  2. How can you incorporate singing or music into your personal worship?
  3. What can you learn from the structured roles in worship as seen in this passage?
  4. In what ways can you express praise to God through music?

Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 15:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan,.... The three principal of them: these were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass; for as there were three sorts of musical instruments, 1 Chronicles 15:16

Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19-21) The minstrels named in 1 Chronicles 15:17-18, classified according to their instruments.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 15 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

19-21. The singers were divided into three choirs, or companies: 1.) The three chiefs, who used cymbals of brass; 2.) Eight others played with psalteries on Alamoth; 3.) Six others played with harps on the Sheminith to excel.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Chronicles 15 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of bronze to sound aloud;

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals;

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed, with cymbals of brass to sound aloud;

RVARevised Version, American1894

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed, with cymbals of brass to sound aloud;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;

GNVGeneva Bible1599

So Heman, Asaph and Ethan were fingers to make a sounde with cymbales of brasse,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

and the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, to sound aloud with cymbals of brass;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, with cymbals of brass to sound,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, [are] to sound with cymbals of bronze;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Namely, the singers, Heman, Assaph, and Ethan, to play aloud with cymbals of copper;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play loud bronze cymbals.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Now the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, sounded with cymbals of brass.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to strike the bronze cymbals;

BBEBible in Basic English1949

So those who made melody, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were put in position, with brass instruments, sounding loudly;

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וְandclausenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseהַtheמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔יםsingersnoun phraseהֵימָ֥ןHemanאָסָ֖ףAsaphוְandאֵיתָ֑ןEthanprepositional phrase · predicateבִּwithnoun phraseמְצִלְתַּ֥יִםcymbalsנְחֹ֖שֶׁתbronzeprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoclauseverbהַשְׁמִֽיעַsound.aloud

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with six out of the seven words matched. The Septuagint's translation reflects a similar understanding of the roles of the musicians, although the word order and articles differ.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וְהַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים הֵימָ֥ן אָסָ֖ף וְאֵיתָ֑ן בִּמְצִלְתַּ֥יִם נְחֹ֖שֶׁת לְהַשְׁמִֽיעַ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְהַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔יםψαλτῳδοίהֵימָ֥ןαιμανאָסָ֖ףασαφוְאֵיתָ֑ןαιθανבִּמְצִלְתַּ֥יִםκυμβάλοιςנְחֹ֖שֶׁתξαλκοῖς

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

1 Chronicles 15:19שִׁירand the sinand the singersשִׁירהֵימָןHemanHemanהֵימָןאָסָףAsaphAsaphאָסָףאֵיתָןand Ethanand Ethanאֵיתָןמְצִלְתַּיִםwith cymbalwith cymbalsמְצִלְתַּיִםנְחֹ֫שֶׁתbronzebronzeנְחֹ֫שֶׁתשָׁמַע[were] to s[were] to soundשָׁמַעאָמַןbe faithfube faithfulאָמַןאָסַףto gatherto gatherאָסַףצָלַלto tingleto tingleצָלַלשׁוּרto travelto travelשׁוּרשׁוּרto seeto seeשׁוּראֵיתָןstrongstrongאֵיתָןנְחוּשָׁהbronzebronzeנְחוּשָׁהיְדוּתוּןJeduthunJeduthunיְדוּתוּןשֹׁעֵרgatekeepergatekeeperשֹׁעֵרזמרto singto singזמראֵיתָןEthanEthanאֵיתָןהֵימָןHemanHemanהֵימָןכַּלְכֹּלCalcolCalcolכַּלְכֹּלאֶזְרָחִיEzrahiteEzrahiteאֶזְרָחִינֵ֫בֶלbagbagנֵ֫בֶלכִּנּוֹרlyrelyreכִּנּוֹרבַּרְזֶלironironבַּרְזֶלאֶ֫דֶןsocketsocketאֶ֫דֶן
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 15:19

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
וְהַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔יםve.ham.Sho.re.Rim and the singers H7891 Conjunction · particle · verb piel participle (active) masculine plural
87× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.
Amplified meaning
singers, to sing with musical accompaniment
Tyndale gloss
to sing
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׁיר (shiyr) means 'to sing' and is a denominative verb derived from a primitive root. It covers various forms of singing, including participles for singers and songstresses. The entries indicate its use in different verbal stems, such as Qal and Polel, and note its appearance in contexts like 1 Samuel 18:6.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שִׁיר] 86 vb. sing (denom.)

Qal 49 sing

Pō‛l. 36 sing

Hoph. be sung

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7891 שִׁיר sing (denom.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7891 shiyr sheer

or (the original form) shuwr (1 Sam. 18:6) {shoor}; a

primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of

strolling minstrelsy); to sing:--behold (by mistake for

7789), sing(-er, -ing man, - ing woman).

see HEBREW for 07788

see HEBREW for 07789

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁיר (shir) — to sing.

1) to sing

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sing

1a2) singer, songstresses (participle)

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to sing

1b2) singer, songstress (participle)

1c) (Hophal) to be sung

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Art | V-o — Conjunction · particle · verb piel participle (active) masculine plural
HC/Td/Vprmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ See MUSIC

and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
הֵימָ֥ןhei.Man Heman H1968 Noun proper masculine
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Heman was the name of at least two Israelites, including a man from the tribe of Levi who lived during the United Monarchy. He was the son of Joel and father of many sons. The KJV translates his name as 'Heman'.
Tyndale gloss
Heman
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵימָן (Heyman) means 'faithful' and refers to a notable figure in the Old Testament, specifically a wise man compared to Solomon. There are at least two individuals named Heman, one a Levitical singer and author of Psalm 88, and the other a man from the tribe of Judah. The entries consistently highlight his wisdom and lineage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵימָן n.pr.m. Heman (faithful) a wise man with whom Solomon is compared

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1968 הֵימָן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1968 Heyman hay-mawn'

probably from 539; faithful; Heman, the name of at least two

Israelites:--Heman.

see HEBREW for 0539

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵימָן (he.man) — Heman.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.4.31;

son of: Mahol (H4235);

brother of: Ethan (H0387), Calcol (H3633) and Darda (H1862)

§ Heman = "faithful"

1) a wise man to whom Solomon was compared

2) son of Joel, grandson of Samuel, and a Levitical singer and author of PS 88

3) a seer

הֵימָן (he.man) — Heman.

A man of the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.2.6;

son of: Zerah (H2226I);

brother of: Zabdi (H2067), Ethan (H0387H), Calcol (H3633H) and Dara (H1873)

§ Heman = "faithful"

1) a wise man to whom Solomon was compared

2) son of Joel, grandson of Samuel, and a Levitical singer and author of PS 88

3) a seer

הֵימָן (he.man) — Heman.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.33;

son of: Joel (H3100);

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

he'-man (heman, "faithful"): The name of two men in the Old Testament.

(1) A musician and seer, a Levite, son of Joe and grandson of the prophet Samuel; of the family of the Kohathites (1Ch 6:33), appointed by David as one of the leaders of the temple-singing (1Ch 15:17; 2Ch 5:12). He had 14 sons (and 3 daughters) who assisted their father in the chorus. Heman seems also to have been a man of spiritual power; is called "the king's seer in matters of God" (1Ch 25:5; 2Ch 35:15).

(2) One of the noted wise men prior to, or about, the time of Solomon. He was one of the three sons of Mahol (

Heman

Faithful. (1.) 1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chr. 2:6, a son of Zerah, noted for his wisdom. (2.) Grandson of Samuel (1 Chr. 6:33; 15:17), to whom the 88th Psalm probably was inscribed. He was one of the “seers” named in 2 Chr. 29:14, 30, and took a leading part in the administration of the sacred services.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(faithful) Son of Zerah. (1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Kings 4:31) Son of Joel and grandson of Samuel the prophet, a Kohathite. He is called "the singer," rather the musician, (1 Chronicles 6:33) and was the first of the three Levites to whom was committed the vocal and instrumental music of the temple service in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 15:16-22) The 88th Psalm is ascribed to him. (B.C. 1014.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A celebrated sage, of the tribe of Judah. The period of his life is unknown, 1Ki 4:31.

2. A Kohathite Levite, to whom as a chief musicians of the temple of the eighty-eighty Psalm is inscribed, 1Ch 6:33; 16:41,42.

and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
אָסָ֖ף'a.Saf Asaph H623 Noun proper masculine
46× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Asaph means gatherer, the name of several Israelites, including a Levite and the father of Hezekiah's secretary. He is mentioned in Exodus 6:24 and 1 Chronicles 26:1. Asaph was a common name in biblical times.
Tyndale gloss
Asaph
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָסָף (Asaph) means 'gatherer' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, particularly a Levite musician under King David and the father of Joah, a royal recorder. The name appears in various contexts, including genealogies and roles related to music and royal duties. There are multiple mentions of Asaph across different books, including 2 Kings and Chronicles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָסָף n.pr.m. (gatherer)

father of יוֹאָח the recorder

one of David’s chief musicians, a Levite, son of Berechiah

keeper of king’s park

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H623 אָסָף (gatherer)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

623 'Acaph aw-sawf'

from 622; collector; Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and

of the family of the first:--Asaph.

see HEBREW for 0622

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָסָף (a.saph) — Asaph.

A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.18.18;

father of: Joah (H3098)

§ Asaph = "gatherer"

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary

2) a son of Berechiah, chief Levite musician under David

3) a Persian officer over the royal forest

אָסָף (a.saph) — Asaph.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.39;

son of: Berechiah (H1296H);

father of: Zaccur (H2139J), Joseph (H3130I), Nethaniah (H5418H) and Asharelah (H0841)

§ Asaph = "gatherer"

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary

2) a son of Berechiah, chief Levite musician under David

3) a Persian officer over the royal forest

אָסָף (a.saph) — Asaph.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.9.15;

father of: Zichri (H2147K)

§ Asaph = "gatherer"

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a'-saf ('acaph): Is the name of three men in the Old Testament, of whom one is the reputed author of Psalms 50 and 73-83. He was one of David's three chief musicians, the other two being Heman, and Ethan or Jeduthun, and we first hear of him when the ark was taken to Jerusalem (1Ch 15:16-19). He conducted with cymbals the music performed in the tent where the ark was housed (1Ch 16:4,5,7,37), while his two coadjutors discharged the same office at Gibeon (1Ch 16:41,42). In 1Ch 25:1 ff we are told that four of his sons were appointed to conduct under him detachments of the great chorus, the families of Heman and Jeduthun also furnishing leaders, and all took part at the…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Asaph

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). The “sons of Asaph,” mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1, 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41, were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master.

(2.) The “recorder” in the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(collector of the people). A Levite, son of Berechiah, one of the leaders of David’s choir. (1 Chronicles 6:39) Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed to him; and he was in after times celebrated as a seer as well as a musical composer. (2 Chronicles 29:30; Nehemiah 12:46) (B.C. 1050.) The father or ancestor of Joah, the chronicler to the kingdom of Judah in the reign of Hezekiah, (2 Kings 18:18,37; Isaiah 36:3,22) probably the same as the preceding. The keeper of the royal forest or "paradise" of Artaxerxes, (Nehemiah 2:8) a Jew, in high office at the court of Persia. (B.C. 536.) Ancestor of Mattaniah, the conductor of the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. Assembler, a celebrated musician in David’s time, and one of the leaders of the temple music. 1Ch 16:5 25:1,2. This service appears to have been hereditary in his family, Ne 7:44 11:22. He is also called a seer, 2Ch 29:30; and his name is prefixed to twelve Psalms, (Ps 50:1-23 73:1-83:18) but whether they were written by him, or for him or his family to sing, is unknown. See MUSIC.

2. A recorder of King Hezekiah, 2Ki 18:18 Isa 36:3

3. Keeper of forests under Artaxerxes, Ne 2:8.

and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
וְאֵיתָ֑ןve.'ei.Tan and Ethan H387 Conjunction · noun proper masculine
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Ethan is a name in the Bible, given to four different Israelites, including a Levite who lived during the United Monarchy. The name Ethan means enduring and is mentioned in 1 Chronicles.
Tyndale gloss
Ethan
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵיתָן (Eythan) refers to a wise man and is associated with the meaning 'enduring.' The term identifies several individuals in the Old Testament, including an Ezrahite known for his wisdom and various descendants of Levi. The entries note that Ethan is mentioned in contexts related to the United and Divided Monarchy, with specific references in 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵיתָן n.pr.m. a wise man

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H387 אֵיתָן a wise man

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

387 'Eythan ay-thawn'

the same as 386; permanent; Ethan, the name of four

Israelites:--Ethan.

see HEBREW for 0386

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵיתָן (e.tan) — Ethan.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.4.31;

son of: Mahol (H4235);

brother of: Heman (H1968), Calcol (H3633) and Darda (H1862)

§ Ethan = "enduring"

1) an Ezrahite known for his wisdom

2) a grandson of Judah, father of Azariah

3) a Kohathite descendant of Levi

4) a Merarite son of Kushaiah, descendant of Levi

אֵיתָן (e.tan) — Ethan.

A man of the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.6;

son of: Zerah (H2226I);

brother of: Zabdi (H2067), Heman (H1968H), Calcol (H3633H) and Dara (H1873);

father of: Azariah (H5838I)

§ Ethan = "enduring"

1) an Ezrahite known for his wisdom

2) a grandson of Judah, father of Azariah

3) a Kohathite descendant of Levi

4) a Merarite son of Kushaiah, descendant of Levi

אֵיתָן (e.tan) — Ethan.

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculine
HC/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

e'-than ('ethan, "firm," "enduring"; Gaithan):

(1) A wise man with whom Solomon is compared (1Ki 4:31). Called there "Ethan the Ezrahite," to whom the title of Ps 89 ascribes the authorship of that poem.

(2) A "son of Kishi," or "Kishaiah," of the Merari branch of the Levites, and, along with Heman and Asaph, placed by David over the service of song (1Ch 6:44; 15:17,19).

See JEDUTHUN.

(3) An ancestor of Asaph of the Gershomite branch of the Levites (1Ch 6:42).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ethan

Firm. (1.) “The Ezrahite,” distinguished for his wisdom (1 Kings 4:31). He is named as the author of the 89th Psalm. He was of the tribe of Levi.

(2.) A Levite of the family of Merari, one of the leaders of the temple music (1 Chr. 6:44; 15:17, 19). He was probably the same as Jeduthun. He is supposed by some to be the same also as (1).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(enduring). Ethan the Ezrahite, one of the four sons of Mahol, whose wisdom was excelled by Solomon. (1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chronicles 2:6) His name is in the title of (Psalms 89:1) Son of Kishi or Kushaiah; a Merarite Levite, head of that family in the time of King David, (1 Chronicles 6:44) and spoken of as a "singer." With Heman and Asaph, the heads of the other two families of Levites, Ethan was appointed to sound with cymbals. (1 Chronicles 15:17,19) A Gershonite Levite, one of the ancestors of Asaph the singer. (1 Chronicles 6:42) Hebr 27. (B.C. 1420.)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. One of four men renowned for wisdom, though excelled by Solomon, 1Ki 4:31 1Ch 2:6. He appears to have been a son of Zerah or Ezra, and grandson of the patriarch Judah.

2. A Levite, son of Kishi, and one of the three masters of the temple music, 1Ch 6:44 15:17-19. He would seem to be the same as Jeduthun, 1Ch 25:1 2Ch 35:15.

3. A person to whom Ps 89:1-52 is inscribed.

and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
בִּמְצִלְתַּ֥יִםbim.tzil.Ta.yim with cymbals H4700 Preposition · noun common feminine dual absolute
13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Metselt refers to cymbals, specifically double tinklers used to make music in biblical times.
Amplified meaning
double tinklers, metal plates used for musical expression
Tyndale gloss
cymbal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְצִלְתַּיִם (metsi'taim) refers to cymbals, specifically in the dual form, indicating a pair. It is derived from the root word for tinkling or clanging sounds, as noted in Strong's entries. The term appears in contexts related to music and worship.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְצִלְתַּיִם n.f.du. cymbals

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4700 מְצִלְתַּיִם, מְצֵלֶת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4700 mtseleth mets-ay'-leth

from 6750; (only dual) double tinklers, i.e.

cymbals:--cymbals.

see HEBREW for 06750

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְצִלְתַּיִם (me.tse.let) — cymbal.

cymbals

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fd — Preposition · noun common feminine dual absolute
HR/Ncfda
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Cymbals

(Heb. tzeltzelim, from a root meaning to “tinkle”), musical instruments, consisting of two convex pieces of brass one held in each hand, which were clashed together to produce a loud clanging sound; castanets; “loud cymbals.” “Highsounding cymbals” consisted of two larger plates, one held also in each hand (2 Sam. 6:5; Ps. 150:5; 1 Chr. 13:8; 15:16, 19, 28; 1 Cor. 13:1).

and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
נְחֹ֖שֶׁתne.Cho.shet bronze H5178 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
140× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to copper or something made of it, like a coin or chain. It can also symbolize something base or impure, as in lust or filthiness. It appears in various KJV translations, including brasen and brass.
Amplified meaning
copper, made of copper alloy
Tyndale gloss
bronze
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נְחֹ֫שֶׁת (nechosheth) refers to copper or bronze, often indicating items made from these metals, such as fetters. It is noted for being less valuable than gold but more than wood. Additionally, it can figuratively represent a harsh sky or, in specific contexts, suggest meanings related to lust or harlotry, as seen in Ezekiel 16:36.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נְחֹ֫שֶׁת 137 n.m. copper, bronze

copper

fetters of copper or bronze

as less in value than gold but more than wood

fig. of pitiless sky

base

[נְחֹ֫שֶׁת] n.[f.] Ez 16:36 where context favours mng. lust, harlotry, or specif. sens. obscoen.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5178a נְחֹ֫שֶׁת copper, bronze . copper

. fetters of copper or bronze

. as less in value than gold but more than wood

. fig. of pitiless sky

H5178b נְחֹ֫שֶׁת where context favours mng. lust, harlotry, or specif. sens. obscoen.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5178 nchosheth nekh-o'-sheth

for 5154; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e.

coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or

silver):--brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass),

filthiness, steel.

see HEBREW for 05154

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נְחֹ֫שֶׁת (ne.cho.shet) — bronze.

1) copper, bronze

1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy)

1b) fetters (of copper or bronze)

1c) copper (as value)

נְחֹ֫שֶׁת (ne.cho.shet) — lust.

lust, harlotry

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
and the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan with cymbals bronze [were] to sound aloud
לְהַשְׁמִֽיעַ׃le.hash.Mi.a' [were] to sound aloud H8085 Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
strike, play loudly
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common
HR/Vhcc
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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