Topical Encyclopedia
Heman is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, known for his wisdom, musical talent, and role in the worship practices of ancient Israel. He is primarily recognized in two contexts: as a wise man and as a musician associated with the Levitical choir.
Lineage and FamilyHeman is identified as a descendant of Levi, the son of Jacob, through the line of Kohath. He is the son of Joel and the grandson of Samuel, the prophet and last judge of Israel. This lineage places Heman within the tribe of Levi, which was set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle and later the temple.
Role as a MusicianHeman is most prominently noted for his role as a musician and singer in the service of King David. He was appointed as one of the chief musicians, alongside Asaph and Ethan (also known as Jeduthun), to lead the musical worship in the tabernacle. This appointment is detailed in
1 Chronicles 6:33, where Heman is described as "the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel."
Heman's role was significant in the establishment of organized worship in Israel. He was responsible for sounding the cymbals and leading the choir, contributing to the rich musical tradition that accompanied the worship of Yahweh. His involvement is further emphasized in
1 Chronicles 15:16-19, where David instructs the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments.
Wisdom and ReputationIn addition to his musical contributions, Heman is noted for his wisdom. In
1 Kings 4:31, Solomon's wisdom is compared to that of Heman, indicating that Heman was renowned for his understanding and insight. This comparison places Heman among the wisest men of his time, alongside Ethan the Ezrahite and others.
Psalm 88Heman is traditionally credited with the authorship of
Psalm 88, one of the most somber and lamenting psalms in the Psalter. The superscription of the psalm attributes it to "Heman the Ezrahite," though there is some debate among scholars regarding whether this Heman is the same as the Levitical musician. Regardless, the psalm reflects a deep sense of despair and a cry for deliverance, showcasing the emotional depth and spiritual insight attributed to Heman.
LegacyHeman's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing his contributions to the worship practices of Israel, his reputation for wisdom, and his possible role as a psalmist. His dedication to the service of God through music and his standing as a wise man highlight the importance of both artistic expression and spiritual insight in the life of faith. Heman's influence is seen in the continued emphasis on music and worship in the Judeo-Christian tradition, underscoring the enduring impact of his service in the temple.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hemantheir trouble; tumult; much; in great number
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Heman(faithful)
- Son of Zerah. (1 Chronicles 2:6;1 Kings 4:31)
- Son of Joel and grandson of Samuel the prophet, a Kohathite. He is called "the singer," rather the musician, (1 Chronicles 6:33) and was the first of the three Levites to whom was committed the vocal and instrumental music of the temple service in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 15:16-22) The 88th Psalm is ascribed to him. (B.C. 1014.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Heman1. A celebrated sage, of the tribe of Judah. The period of his life is unknown,1 Kings 4:31.
2. A Kohathite Levite, to whom as a chief musicians of the temple of the eighty-eighty Psalm is inscribed,1 Chronicles 6:33; 16:41,42.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Faithful.
(1.)1 Kings 4:31;1 Chronicles 2:6, a son of Zerah, noted for his wisdom.
(2.) Grandson of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:33;15:17), to whom the 88th Psalm probably was inscribed. He was one of the "seers" named in2 Chronicles 29:14, 30, and took a leading part in the administration of the sacred services.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HEMANhe'-man (heman, "faithful"): The name of two men in the Old Testament.
(1) A musician and seer, a Levite, son of Joel and grandson of the prophet Samuel; of the family of the Kohathites (1 Chronicles 6:33), appointed by David as one of the leaders of the temple-singing (1 Chronicles 15:172 Chronicles 5:12). He had 14 sons (and 3 daughters) who assisted their father in the chorus. Heman seems also to have been a man of spiritual power; is called "the king's seer in matters of God" (1 Chronicles 25:52 Chronicles 35:15).
(2) One of the noted wise men prior to, or about, the time of Solomon. He was one of the three sons of Mahol (1 Kings 4:31 (Hebrew 5:11)); also called a son of Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:6).
Psalm 88 is inscribed to Heman the Ezrahite, who is probably to be identified with the second son of Zerah.
Edward Babgy Pollard
Strong's Hebrew
1968.Heman -- an Israelite name... 1967, 1968.
Heman. 1969 . an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Heman Phonetic
Spelling: (hay-mawn') Short Definition:
Heman.
... name NASB Word Usage
Heman (16).
...4413. Mallothi -- a son ofHeman
... 4412, 4413. Mallothi. 4414 . a son ofHeman. Transliteration: Mallothi
Phonetic Spelling: (mal-lo'-thee) Short Definition: Mallothi....
7320a. Romamti Ezer -- "I have made lofty help," a son ofHeman
... Romamti Ezer or Romamti Ezer. 7320b . "I have made lofty help," a son ofHeman.
Transliteration: Romamti Ezer or Romamti Ezer Short Definition: Romamti-ezer....
4235. Machol -- father ofHeman
... 4234, 4235. Machol. 4236 . father ofHeman. Transliteration: Machol Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-khole') Short Definition: Mahol. Word...
3436. Yoshbeqashah -- "a hard seat," a son ofHeman
... Yoshbeqashah. 3437 . "a hard seat," a son ofHeman. Transliteration: Yoshbeqashah
Phonetic Spelling: (yosh-bek-aw-shaw') Short Definition: Joshbekashah....
7320. Rowmamtiy 'Ezer -- "I have made lofty help," a son ofHeman
... "I have made lofty help," a son ofHeman. Transliteration: Rowmamtiy 'Ezer Phonetic
Spelling: (ro-mam'-tee eh'-zer) Short Definition: ezer....
Library
How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case...
... of God's wrath and indignation; and that in such a measure, as that thereby it may
be as a distracted person, as we see it was withHeman, Psalm 88:15, who said...
David's Choristers
... fulfilled their office. We get a picture of the ranked files gathered round
their three leaders,Heman, Asaph, and Ethan. These three...
The General Conference of 1828
... New York Conference: [25]Heman Bangs, Nathan Bangs, Thomas Burch, Laban Clark,
John Emory, Buel Goodsell, Samuel Luckey, Stephen Martindale, Daniel Ostrander...
How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth...
... 2. They cry out for a blink of his face, and get it not; for he hath withdrawn himself,
Psalm 13:1, "how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?"Heman, Psalm 88...
The General Conference of 1836
... Maine Conference: Charles Baker, Moses Hill, John B. Husted,Heman Nickerson,
William H. Norris, Ezekiel Robinson, George Webber....
The Kingdom Undivided
... 7. History. V. Leading Authors:Heman, author of the 88th; Ethan, 89; Moses, 90;
Solomon, 72 and 127. The sons of Korah (who were they?) wrote eleven....
Letter B
... 1823 * Banes, Ahond C. "Received 1831, Expelled 1835 * Banghart, George "Received
1812 * Banghart, Jacob "Received 1809 * Bangs,Heman "Received 1815...
Table of the Books of Holy Scripture According to Date.
... HISTORICAL BOOKS. PROPHETIC AND POETICAL BOOKS. BC 4004 1689 Genesis 1529
Job Psalm lxxxviii. byHeman, the Ezrahite, (See 1 Chron....
Letter G
... 1791, Located 1797 * Garrettson, Freeborn "Received 1776, Died 1827 * Garrettson,
Richard "Received 1779, Located 1783 * Garrick,Heman "Received 1810...
Letter N
... James "Received 1823, Located 1828 * Nicholson, Jesse "Received 1789, Located 1793 *
Nicholson, John "Received 1828 * Nickerson,Heman "Received 1821...
Thesaurus
Heman (17 Occurrences)... sacred services. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
HEMAN. he'-man (
heman,
"faithful"): The name of two men in the Old Testament. (1) A
...Jeduthun (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 16:41 and with themHeman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen,
who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving...
Jedu'thun (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 16:41 and with themHeman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen,
who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy...
Ezrahite (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A title given to Ethan (1 Kings 4:31; Psalm 89, title)
andHeman (Psalm 88, title). They were both sons of Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:6)....
Heman's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceHeman's (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 6:39 His
brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the...
Mallothi (2 Occurrences)
... My fulness, a Kohathite Levite, one of the sons ofHeman the Levite (1 Chronicles
25:4), and chief of the nineteenth division of the temple musicians (26)....
Korahites (7 Occurrences)
... Then the writer proceeds to mention first "Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the
son of Samuel," and so on, carrying the genealogy back to Korah and Levi....
Sons (2429 Occurrences)
... Then the writer proceeds to mention first "Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the
son of Samuel," and so on, carrying the genealogy back to Korah and Levi....
Asaph (47 Occurrences)
... He was one of David's three chief musicians, the other two beingHeman, and Ethan
or Jeduthun, and we first hear of him when the ark was taken to Jerusalem (1...
Ethan (9 Occurrences)
... (2) A "son of Kishi," or "Kishaiah," of the Merari branch of the Levites, and, along
withHeman and Asaph, placed by David over the service of song (1...
Resources
Who was Heman the Ezrahite in the Psalms? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jeduthun in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Psalms - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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