Dictionaries :: Asaph

Asaph:

convener, or collector. (1.) A Levite; one of the leaders of David's choir (1Ch 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" (2Ch 29:30). The "sons of Asaph," mentioned in 1Ch 25:1, 2Ch 20:14, and Ezr 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 (2Ki 18:18,37).

(3.) The "keeper of the king's forest," to whom Nehemiah requested from Artaxerxes a "letter" that he might give him timber for the temple at Jerusalem (Neh 2:8).

Asaph:

who gathers together

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 73-83. 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 dedication of the temple (2Ch 5:12). A., H., and J. were called the king's seers (1Ch 25; 2Ch 35:15), no doubt an official title of rank or dignity. The "Sons of Asaph" are mentioned in later times. They formed a guild, and played a prominent part at each revival of the national religion.

Written by James Millar

See MUSIC

See PSALMS

Asaph: 1. Father of Joah

2Ki 18:18; Isa 36:3, 22

Asaph: 2. Son of Berachiah

One of the three leaders of music in David's organization of the tabernacle service,

1Ch 15:16-19; 16:5-7; 25:1-9; 2Ch 5:12; 35:15; Neh 12:46.

Apointed to sound the cymbals in the temple choir,

1Ch 15:17, 19; 16:5, 7.

A composer of sacred lyrics,

2Ch 29:13-30.

See titles of

Psa 50; 73; 74; 75; 76; 77; 78; 79; 80; 81; 82; 83.

Descendants of, in the temple choir,

1Ch 25:1-9; 2Ch 20:14; 29:13; Ezr 2:41; 3:10; Neh 7:44; 11:22.

Asaph: 3. A Levite

Whose descendants lived in Jerusalem after the exile,

1Ch 9:15.

Asaph: 4. A Kohath Levite

1Ch 26:1

Asaph: 5. Keeper of Forests

Neh 2:8

Asaph:

(collector of the people).

(1.) A Levite, son of Berechiah, one of the leaders of David's choir (1 Chronicles 6:39). Psalm 50 and 73 through 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)

(2.) The father or ancestor of Joah, the chronicler to the kingdom of Judah in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18; 18:37; Isaiah 36:3; 36:22) probably the same as the preceding. See No. 1.

(3.) 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)

(4.) Ancestor of Mattaniah, the conductor of the temple‐choir after the return from Babylon (1 Chronicles 9:16; Nehemiah 11:17). Most probably the same as No. 1 and No. 2.