A son of Joel and liturgical musical directer from the tribe of Levi who lived during the time of King David. He was called the king's seer.
About Heman
3. Kohathite Levite, Joel’s son and one appointed, along with Asaph and Ethan (also called Jeduthun), by David to lead the musicians in the sanctuary (1 Chr 6:33; 15:17; 16:41). During the transport of the ark from Obed-edom’s house to Jerusalem, he was responsible for sounding the bronze cymbals (1 Chr 15:19; 2 Chr 5:12). Heman fathered 14 sons and 3 daughters, all of whom served as musicians in the Lord’s house (1 Chr 25:1–6). Later, his descendants participated in the cleansing of the temple during King Hezekiah’s reign (715–686 BC; 2 Chr 29:14) and assisted with the Passover celebration initiated by King Josiah (640–609 BC; 2 Chr 35:15).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Joel
- Children 16
- Bukkiah, Mattaniah (1 Chronicles 25:4), Uzziel (1 Chronicles 25:4), Shebuel (1 Chronicles 25:4), Jerimoth (1 Chronicles 25:4), Hananiah (1 Chronicles 25:4), Hanani (1 Chronicles 25:4), Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth, Jehuel, Shimei (2 Chronicles 29:14)
- Uncle
- Abijah (Son of Samuel)
Key References
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
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:
From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
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.
All Scripture References (12)
1 Chronicles (9)
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.”
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.
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:
From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
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.
2 Chronicles (3)
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.
Jehiel and Shimei from the Hemanites; and Shemaiah and Uzziel from the Jeduthunites.
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.