Asaph
the name means collector Strong's Lexicon
Asaph was a Levite musician and psalmist during David's reign, and his descendants served as temple singers (<ref="1Ch.6.39; 15:17, 19; 16:5, 7, 37; 25:1, 2, 6, 9; 2Ch.5.12; 20:14; 29:13, 30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Neh.7.44; 11:22; 12:35, 46; Psalms 50, 73-83">1Ch.6.39; 15:17, 19; 16:5, 7, 37; 25:1, 2, 6, 9; 2Ch.5.12; 20:14; 29:13, 30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Neh.7.44; 11:22; 12:35, 46; Psalms 50, 73-83</ref>).
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.
Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.
Family
Parents
Berechiah
From STEPBible's TIPNR genealogy data. A relationship the data marks uncertain is not shown here.
First named at 1 Chronicles 6:39.
See Asaph in the family tree →
Verses that name Asaph
- 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 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;
- 1 Chronicles 15:19 The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
- 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 16:7 On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
- 1 Chronicles 16:37 So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements,
- 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:
- 1 Chronicles 25:2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
- 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.
- 1 Chronicles 25:9 The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
- 2 Chronicles 5:12 all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.
- 2 Chronicles 20:14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.
- 2 Chronicles 29:13 Shimri and Jeuel from the Elizaphanites; Zechariah and Mattaniah from the Asaphites;
- 2 Chronicles 29:30 Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
- 2 Chronicles 35:15 The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
- Ezra 2:41 The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128.
- Ezra 3:10 When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed.
- Nehemiah 7:44 The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.
- Nehemiah 11:22 Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the singers in charge of the service of the house of God.
- Nehemiah 12:35 and some of the priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph,
- Nehemiah 12:46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
- Psalms 50:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.
- Psalms 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
- Psalms 74:1 A Maskil of Asaph. Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
- Psalms 75:1 For the choirmaster: To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A song. We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. The people declare Your wondrous works.
- Psalms 76:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A song. God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.
- Psalms 77:1 For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- Psalms 78:1 A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.
- Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
- Psalms 80:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
- 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 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
- Psalms 83:1 A song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.