1 Chronicles 16 42

1 Chronicles 16:42 kjv

And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

1 Chronicles 16:42 nkjv

and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers.

1 Chronicles 16:42 niv

Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

1 Chronicles 16:42 esv

Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were appointed to the gate.

1 Chronicles 16:42 nlt

They used their trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments to accompany their songs of praise to God. And the sons of Jeduthun were appointed as gatekeepers.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 42 Meaning

This verse details the specific assignments of key Levitical individuals, Heman and Jeduthun, and their families, within the organized worship established by King David at the Ark's tabernacle. It highlights their primary responsibility in providing instrumental music for the praise of God, specifically mentioning trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments. Significantly, the verse also adds a practical role for Jeduthun's sons, designating them as gatekeepers. This demonstrates the multifaceted nature of Levitical service, encompassing both direct spiritual ministry through music and essential logistical/security duties concerning access to the sacred worship space.

1 Chronicles 16 42 Context

1 Chronicles 16:42 is situated within King David's pivotal moment of establishing central worship in Jerusalem after successfully bringing the Ark of the Covenant there. The preceding verses (1 Chr 16:4-6) introduce David's immediate appointment of Levites to minister before the Ark with musical instruments. This comprehensive organization of Levitical duties (singers, gatekeepers, porters, administrators, temple officers) underscores David's dedication to proper, ordered worship of Yahweh. The chapter records David's Psalm of Thanksgiving (1 Chr 16:7-36), which was given "on that day" for the dedication, emphasizing the purpose of the musical arrangements. Verses 37-43 detail the continuation of the daily ministration before the Ark and other sacred places, showing David's long-term vision for institutionalized worship, far beyond the initial celebratory event. This specific verse reveals that key Levitical families were designated not only for music but also for maintaining the sanctity and order of the tabernacle compound through gatekeeping. This distinction highlights the importance of both reverent worship and secured access to the divine presence.

1 Chronicles 16 42 Word analysis

• וְעִמָּהֶם (W'immahem - and with them):

  • וְ (v - and): Connects this action with the ongoing organizational efforts of David described in the preceding verses, showing continuity and addition to the assigned roles.
  • עִמָּהֶם (immahem - with them): Refers to those Levites who were ministering before the Ark, establishing the context of worship.
  • Significance: Implies an integrated system, not individual isolated actions, but part of a larger, divinely orchestrated order.

• הֵימָן (Heman):

  • Meaning: Chief Levitical musician, descendant of Kohath, one of the three heads of the musical guilds (along with Asaph and Jeduthun) appointed by David (1 Chr 6:31-33). Also referred to as a "seer" in 1 Chr 25:5, suggesting prophetic gifting intertwined with musical skill.
  • Significance: A pivotal figure in Israel's worship, known for both musical prowess and spiritual insight.

• וִידוּתוּן (v'Yeduthun - and Jeduthun):

  • Meaning: Also a chief Levitical musician, sometimes referred to as Ethan (1 Chr 6:44), head of another division of musicians. He is mentioned alongside Heman and Asaph. Psalms (e.g., Ps 38, 39, 62, 77) are addressed "to the choirmaster: for Jeduthun," indicating his role in leading and directing.
  • Significance: Another primary leader in sacred music, central to David's worship reforms.

• חֲצֹצְרוֹת (chatsu'tzrot - trumpets):

  • Meaning: Likely refers to the straight, silver trumpets used primarily by the priests (Num 10:2), typically for sounding alarms, assembling the congregation, directing movements, and marking festive occasions (Num 10:3-10). Their presence here alongside the Levitical musicians (Heman and Jeduthun were Levites, not priests) suggests their ceremonial function in the grand worship services.
  • Significance: Symbolic of the direct divine call and authoritative pronouncement of God's presence, bridging priestly ritual with Levitical music.

• וּמְצִלְתַּיִם (u'm'tziltayim - and cymbals):

  • Meaning: Percussive instruments, made of bronze (1 Chr 15:19). Used for providing rhythmic accompaniment and loud, joyous sound. Often mentioned in contexts of exuberant praise (Ps 150:5).
  • Significance: Conveys joyful, vigorous, and audible praise, essential for the celebratory atmosphere of worship.

• וְכֵלִים לְשִׁיר הָאֱלֹהִים (u'kelim l'shir ha'Elohim - and instruments for the song of God / instruments of God's song):

  • Meaning: A general phrase for various "instruments of song," like lyres, harps, flutes, etc. (kelim means "vessels" or "instruments"; shir means "song"). ha'Elohim (the God) specifies the sacred, divine purpose.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that all musical instruments employed in this service were exclusively consecrated for the worship and praise of Yahweh, distinct from common use or idolatrous practices.

• וּבְנֵי יְדוּתּוּן לַשַּׁעַר (uv'ney Yeduthun lash'sha'ar - and the sons of Jeduthun for/at the gate / were gatekeepers):

  • וּבְנֵי יְדוּתּוּן (uv'ney Yeduthun - and the sons of Jeduthun): Indicates the family line. Levitical service was often hereditary.
  • לַשַּׁעַר (lash'sha'ar - to/at the gate): Refers to the role of gatekeeping. Gatekeepers (שׁוֹעֲרִים - sho'arim) were important Levites responsible for controlling access to the sacred compound, ensuring ritual purity, protecting the treasury, and maintaining order (1 Chr 9:17-27, 26:1-19).
  • Significance: This detail highlights the dual function of Jeduthun's family, balancing musical ministry with the practical, yet critical, role of safeguarding the sacred space and its integrity. It demonstrates the comprehensive and administrative responsibilities within the Levitical service.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals": This group identifies the principal music leaders and a core set of instruments for their performance. It indicates an organized, intentional musical worship under skilled direction, utilizing instruments with distinct roles—trumpets often signaling grandeur or specific actions, and cymbals providing rhythmic impetus.
• "for the music of God, and musical instruments for the songs of God": This phrase strongly reiterates the divine dedication of the musical activities and instruments. The repetition ("music of God," "songs of God") underscores that the entire endeavor was consecrated for Yahweh's praise, aligning worship with His holiness. This could also serve as an implicit polemic against syncretic or pagan musical practices, emphasizing that this music was solely for "the God."
• "and the sons of Jeduthun were also gatekeepers": This highlights the practical, administrative aspect of the Levitical service, distinct from but equally vital to the musical roles. It indicates a division of labor even within one family, showcasing the broad range of responsibilities assigned to the Levites to ensure the proper functioning and sanctity of the worship complex. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of David's worship establishment where even security and order were spiritually sanctioned duties.

1 Chronicles 16 42 Bonus section

The mention of trumpets, often associated with priests (Aaronic priesthood), being part of the instrumentation for the Levites Heman and Jeduthun suggests a coordination between the priestly and Levitical functions in worship, highlighting a unified front in leading God's people in praise. This underscores that while roles were distinct (e.g., only priests offered sacrifices), their complementary functions united them in sacred service under David's orchestration. Furthermore, the combination of specific family lines (sons of Jeduthun) performing both musical and security duties illustrates the deep integration of specific families into the ordered system of worship. Levitical families were often assigned to various, enduring responsibilities passed down through generations, ensuring continuity and expertise in their assigned ministries, reflecting a divinely appointed order that sought to maximize the efficacy and integrity of communal worship. This also foreshadows the future comprehensive Temple service.

1 Chronicles 16 42 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:42 succinctly details two vital, yet distinct, facets of Levitical service established by King David: instrumental worship and gatekeeping. Heman and Jeduthun, already identified as principal musicians, are affirmed in their role to lead with specific instruments—trumpets, suggesting priestly endorsement or fanfare, and cymbals for joyous rhythm, alongside other unspecified instruments. The repeated phrase "music of God" or "songs of God" emphasizes the divine purpose and sacred nature of this artistic expression, differentiating it from common or idolatrous music. This signifies a profound theological statement: music is not merely entertainment but a consecrated means of honoring Yahweh. The unexpected addition regarding Jeduthun's sons as gatekeepers reveals the multi-functional requirements of Levitical families. While Heman's lineage specialized more intensely in music, Jeduthun's family contributed to both spiritual music leadership and the essential logistical and security aspects of the sacred space. Gatekeepers regulated access, ensured purity, and protected the sacred precincts and its treasures. This comprehensive assignment demonstrates David's meticulous ordering of all aspects of worship to maintain both spiritual reverence and practical holiness, emphasizing that all service, musical or administrative, was integral to true worship of God.