Lexical Summary
Asaph: Asaph
Original Word:אָסָף
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Acaph
Pronunciation:ah-sahf'
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-sawf')
KJV: Asaph
NASB:Asaph
Word Origin:[fromH622 (אָסַף - gathered)]
1. collector
2. Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Asaph
From'acaph; collector; Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first -- Asaph.
see HEBREW'acaph
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
asaphDefinition"gatherer," the name of several Isr.
NASB TranslationAsaph (34).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(
gatherer, compare Phoenician proper name, feminine )
the recorder2 Kings 18:18,37 =Isaiah 36:3,22.
1 Chronicles 6:24 (twice in verse) ("" v.1 Chronicles 6:18, v.1 Chronicles 6:29 see these names);1 Chronicles 15:17 ("" Heman & Ethan, all called)1 Chronicles 15:19; see also1 Chronicles 16:5 (twice in verse);1 Chronicles 16:7 compare1 Chronicles 16:37 ("" Heman & Jeduthun1 Chronicles 16:41;1 Chronicles 16:42);1 Chronicles 25:9, named with Heman & Jeduthun also1 Chronicles 25:6; 2Chronicles 5:12; 35:15;Psalm 50:1;Psalm 73:1-83:18 are ascribed to Asaph; compare alsoNehemiah 12:46; he is called also 2Chronicles 29:30, compare1 Chronicles 25:2; repeated mention is made also ofsons of Asaph , sons, descendants, and pupils, or those who sang and played after his manner1 Chronicles 25:1 ("" Heman & Jeduthun)1 Chronicles 25:2;1 Chronicles 25:2; called 2Chronicles 35:15;Ezra 2:41;Nehemiah 7:44;Nehemiah 11:22, compareEzra 3:10; performing service of purification, Hezekiah's time 2Chronicles 29:13; one of them prophesying 2 Chronicles 20:14; —1 Chronicles 26:1 for read , compare1 Chronicles 9:19; on1 Chronicles 9:15,Nehemiah 11:17, Nehemiah 12:35, called , see these names.
Nehemiah 2:8.
Topical Lexicon
Identity and LineageAsaph appears chiefly as a Levitical musician, the son of Berechiah (1 Chronicles 6:39). He was a Gershonite, related to Heman and Ethan, and served in the worship corps established by King David. Across roughly forty-six Old Testament occurrences, the name also identifies the father of Joah the recorder in Hezekiah’s court (2 Kings 18:18) and the keeper of the Persian king’s forest in Nehemiah’s day (Nehemiah 2:8).
Appointment by David
When the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, David “appointed some of the Levites to minister before the Ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel — Asaph the chief” (1 Chronicles 16:4-5). Asaph led choirs, played cymbals (1 Chronicles 15:19), and sounded trumpets during the triumphant procession (1 Chronicles 16:6). David’s organization of temple music (1 Chronicles 25) placed Asaph and his sons at the head of a twenty-four-course rota of trained singers and instrumentalists, ensuring continual praise in Israel.
Prophetic Ministry
Asaph was more than a choirmaster; Scripture calls him a “seer” (2 Chronicles 29:30), placing his ministry on prophetic footing. His musical leadership conveyed revealed truth, not mere artistry. Jahaziel, a “Levite of the sons of Asaph,” prophesied victory to Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:14-17), confirming an enduring gift of revelation among his descendants.
Psalms Bearing His Name
Twelve canonical psalms (Psalm 50; Psalms 73-83) are attributed to Asaph or his guild. Themes include:
• The majesty and justice of God in covenant lawsuit language (Psalm 50).
• The tension of righteous suffering and eventual divine vindication (Psalm 73).
• Historical confession and lament over national unfaithfulness (Psalm 78).
• Eschatological hope for God’s universal reign (Psalm 82).
These compositions shaped Israel’s theology of worship, suffering, and hope, blending musical excellence with doctrinal depth.
The Sons of Asaph
The phrase “sons of Asaph” designates both literal descendants and members of his musical guild. Notable references:
• Service at Solomon’s temple dedication (2 Chronicles 5:12).
• Participation in Hezekiah’s reform (2 Chronicles 29:13).
• Stationed according to Davidic ordinances under Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:15).
• Return from exile with Zerubbabel: “The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight” (Ezra 2:41; repeatedNehemiah 7:44).
• Oversight of post-exilic worship: “In the days of David and Asaph of old there were directors of singers” (Nehemiah 12:46).
Their continuity underscores God’s preservation of ordered, scriptural worship from the First Temple through the Second.
Service during National Crises
When Assyria threatened Jerusalem, Joah “son of Asaph, the recorder,” stood with Eliakim and Shebna before the Rabshakeh (2 Kings 18:18;Isaiah 36:3). Though this Asaph is identified only as a father, the scene underlines the trusted status attached to the name in royal administration.
Post-Exilic Civic Contribution
Nehemiah asked Artaxerxes for “a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber” (Nehemiah 2:8). The cooperation of this Persian official named Asaph facilitated rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and gates, showing the name’s appearance even in the Persian bureaucracy God used to restore His people.
Liturgical Significance
Asaph’s ministry helped cement three enduring principles of biblical worship:
1. Music is integral to covenant life, not peripheral.
2. Worship must rest on revealed truth; thus the designation “seer.”
3. Corporate praise should be orderly and continuous, modeled by the rotating courses of singers.
Spiritual Legacy
Asaph wrestled with injustice yet reaffirmed divine sovereignty (Psalm 73:17-28). His psalms model honest lament that ends in renewed trust, providing language for believers of every era. The unbroken mention of his guild from David to Nehemiah evidences God’s faithfulness to sustain worship amid monarchy, exile, and restoration.
Summary
Asaph embodies the union of prophetic insight, musical excellence, and covenant faithfulness. Whether leading choirs before the Ark, inspiring psalms that deepen theological understanding, or seeing his descendants uphold worship after exile, his name stands as a testament to God-centered praise woven through Israel’s history.
Forms and Transliterations
אָסָ֑ף אָסָ֔ף אָסָ֖ף אָסָ֗ף אָסָ֜ף אָסָ֥ף אָסָ֧ף אָסָֽף׃ אָסָף֙ אָסָף֩ אסף אסף׃ וְאָסָ֖ף וְאָסָ֞ף וְאָסָ֣ף ואסף לְאָ֫סָ֥ף לְאָסָ֖ף לְאָסָ֡ף לְאָסָ֣ף לְאָסָ֥ף לְאָסָֽף׃ לאסף לאסף׃ ’ā·sāp̄ ’āsāp̄ aSaf lə’āsāp̄ lə·’ā·sāp̄ leaSaf veaSaf wə’āsāp̄ wə·’ā·sāp̄
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
