Topical Encyclopedia
The "Sons of Asaph" refers to a group of Levitical singers and musicians in the Old Testament, who were descendants of Asaph, a prominent Levite appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. Asaph himself was a skilled musician and seer, and his descendants continued his legacy in the service of temple worship.
Asaph's Role and LegacyAsaph was one of the chief musicians appointed by David to minister before the Ark of the Covenant. In
1 Chronicles 6:39, Asaph is listed as one of the leaders of the music ministry: "Heman was the musician, and Asaph stood at his right hand, and Ethan at his left." Asaph's role was significant in the establishment of organized worship, and he is credited with several psalms, including Psalms 50 and 73-83, which are attributed to him or his descendants.
The Sons of Asaph in Temple WorshipThe Sons of Asaph were part of the Levitical choir and played a crucial role in the musical aspect of temple worship. In
1 Chronicles 25:1-2, David and the commanders of the army set apart the sons of Asaph, along with the sons of Heman and Jeduthun, for the ministry of prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals. The passage states: "David and the commanders of the army set apart for service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. The list of men who performed this service was: From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision."
Role in the Rebuilding of the TempleThe Sons of Asaph continued their service even after the Babylonian exile. When the exiles returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the temple, the Sons of Asaph were among those who resumed their duties.
Ezra 3:10-11 records their involvement: "When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: 'He is good; His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.'"
Significance in Worship and ProphecyThe Sons of Asaph were not only musicians but also prophets, as indicated by their role in prophesying with musical instruments. Their music was an integral part of worship, serving to glorify God and edify the people. The prophetic nature of their ministry is highlighted in
2 Chronicles 29:30, where King Hezekiah commands the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and Asaph the seer.
ConclusionThe Sons of Asaph played a vital role in the spiritual life of Israel, maintaining the tradition of worship established by their forefather. Their contributions to the temple worship and their involvement in the prophetic ministry underscore the importance of music and prophecy in the worship of God. Through their service, the Sons of Asaph helped to preserve the rich heritage of Levitical worship and the enduring legacy of Asaph.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Sons Of Asaph(A school of poetry and musical composers founded by Asaph.)
Library
Altar and Temple
... builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord, they set the priests in
their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, thesons ofAsaph, with cymbals...
How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to...
... the temple was finished, the priests, adorned with their accustomed garments, stood
with their trumpets, while the Levites, and thesons ofAsaph, stood and...
"We have no Might. " 2 Chron. xx. 12
... Promise of the needed help soon came. The Holy Ghost fell upon one of thesons of
Asaph, and he soon told his message:". "THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S."....
Jehoshaphat
... with their king in humbling themselves before God, and asking Him for help, the
Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, "a Levite of thesons ofAsaph," and he...
Psalms and Proverbs.
... authorship of 50. The authors named for others are David,Asaph, thesons
of Korah, Herman, Ethan, Moses and Solomon. Of the 100...
The Return of the Exiles
... While the cornerstone was being set in position, the people, accompanied by the
trumpets of the priests and the cymbals of thesons ofAsaph, "sang together by...
Contents and Character of the Extant Works.
... Accordingly, from the titles, some have been attributed to Idithum, some to Etham,
some to thesons of Core, some toAsaph, by men who have learned from the...
The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... The songs of David and his illustrious collaborators,Asaph and thesons of
Korah, are emphatically the poetry of religious experience....
Psalm 78
... Psalm 78. Maschil ofAsaph. 8,6,8,6.... might well them learn and know; Andsons
unborn, who should arise,. might to theirsons them show:...
A Question for a Questioner
... were refreshed with "kind nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep"; but whenAsaph
sought his... and changed the whole course of his operations among thesons of men...
Resources
Who were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7)? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the sons of God and daughters of men in Genesis 6:1-4? | GotQuestions.orgSons: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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