Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 15:17
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David instructs Levite leaders to organize musicians for the ark's transport, and the Levites respond by formally selecting Heman, Asaph, and Ethan to lead the singing. (1 Chronicles 15:16–18)
The words — וַיַּעֲמִידוּ (va.ya.‘a.Mi.du) translates to "and they appointed," denoting the official designation of individuals for a task. הַלְוִיִּם (ha.lə.vi.Yim) means "the Levites," identifying the specific tribe executing the directive.
The thread — 1 Chronicles 6:33 records Heman as a Kohathite and son of Joel, while 1 Chronicles 6:39 and 44 document Asaph and Ethan serving alongside him with their respective family lines. These passages preserve the genealogical records that anchor the musical ministry in established Levitical descent.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to see that Israel's worship structure relied on documented lineage and formal appointment rather than voluntary selection. It directs attention to the procedural order established for sacred service.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 6:33 These are the men who served, together with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,
- 1 Chronicles 6:39 Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
- 1 Chronicles 6:44 On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
- 1 Samuel 8:2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
- 1 Chronicles 15:19 The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 Additionally, 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:
- Psalms 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
- Psalms 83:1 A song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.