Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 15:21
And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records David’s administrative organization of Levitical musicians to accompany the ark’s transport to Jerusalem. The words — בְּ/כִנֹּר֥וֹת (be./khi.no.Rot) literally means “with harps,” specifying the exact instrument assigned to this musical division. The thread — This group appears again in the Chronicler’s roster of appointed singers (1 Chronicles 15:18) and is listed among the permanent temple choir officers (1 Chronicles 16:5). Why it lands — The text plainly assigns specific Levites to specific instruments and musical modes, showing that Israel’s restored worship relied on deliberate order and trained personnel rather than unstructured expression.
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
And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 10:5 After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
- 1 Chronicles 15:18 and 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.
- 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph 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
- 1 Chronicles 25:6 All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king.
- Psalms 6:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
- Psalms 12:1 For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
- Psalms 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings.
- Psalms 81:1 For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.
- Psalms 92:3 with the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.
- Psalms 150:3 Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre.