Heman
Heman, a Levite, was a chief musician appointed by David to lead worship in the tabernacle.
The name Heman means “their trouble; tumult; much; in great number”
MaleSingerTribe of LeviUnited Monarchy eraOld Testament2 books18 verses
Summary
A musician from the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1 Chronicles 6:33; only referred to as Heman (הֵימָן); a son of Joel; father of Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth, Jehuel, Shimei.
Glossary entries
Family members
- Father
Alternative names
- הֵימָןHeman
Mentions
Includes 6 verses that refer to Heman without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- 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 6:39Referred to, not namedHeman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
- 1 Chronicles 6:44Referred to, not namedOn the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
- 1 Chronicles 6:48Referred to, not namedTheir fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God.
- 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 15:18Referred to, not named…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.
- 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.
- 1 Chronicles 25:7Referred to, not namedTogether with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.
- 1 Chronicles 25:8Referred to, not namedThey cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.
- …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.