Asaph

This term has multiple meanings in the Bible:

  1. Berechiah’s son, who was an important tabernacle musician during King David’s reign (1 Chronicles 6:31–32, 39). David appointed a lead singer, Heman, and Ethan. With them, he appointed Asaph to sound bronze cymbals during the ceremony when the ark was brought to the new tabernacle (1 Chronicles 15:1–19). David appointed Asaph to serve "by giving constant praise and thanks to the Lord God of Israel" (1 Chronicles 16:4–5, The Living Bible). Asaph was to lead Israel in a special psalm of praise (1 Chronicles 16:7–36).

    Along with his relatives, Asaph ministered daily before the ark (1 Chronicles 16:37; 25:6, 9; 1 Esdras 1:15; 5:27, 59). He was also described as David’s private prophet (1 Chronicles 25:1–2). Asaph’s name appears in the superscriptions of Psalms 50 and 73–83 and in the guild he established, called "the sons of Asaph" (1 Chronicles 25:1; 2 Chronicles 35:15; Ezra 2:41; Nehemiah 7:44; 11:22).

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  2. Joah’s father. Joah was the recorder (court historian or royal scribe) in King Hezekiah’s administration (2 Kings 18:18, 27; Isaiah 36:22).

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  3. Temple guard or gatekeeper, seemingly the same person as Ebiasaph (1 Chronicles 9:18).

  4. A keeper of the king’s forest in Palestine under Artaxerxes I Longimanus (Nehemiah 2:8). Nehemiah asked this Asaph for timber to rebuild the wall, gates, and structures of Jerusalem.

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From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Scripture References (20)