1 Chronicles 25:2 kjv
Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
1 Chronicles 25:2 nkjv
Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.
1 Chronicles 25:2 niv
From the sons of Asaph: Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.
1 Chronicles 25:2 esv
Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
1 Chronicles 25:2 nlt
From the sons of Asaph, there were Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. They worked under the direction of their father, Asaph, who proclaimed God's messages by the king's orders.
1 Chronicles 25 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chron 6:39 | "And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, Asaph the son..." | Asaph's significant role in David's musical arrangement |
| 1 Chron 15:19 | "The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers..." | Asaph and other leaders appointed for sacred music |
| 1 Chron 16:5 | "Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth..." | Asaph prominent among David's assigned musicians |
| 1 Chron 25:1 | "David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons..." | Broader context of the musical divisions |
| 1 Chron 25:3 | "Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun..." | Other prominent Levitical musical families |
| 1 Chron 25:14 | "the eleventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, 12;" | Asharelah (v.2) also called Jesharelah (v.14) |
| 2 Chron 5:12 | "and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun..." | Asaph and others present at temple dedication |
| 2 Chron 29:30 | "Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing..." | Asaph's psalms sung during temple restoration |
| Ps 73:1 | "A Psalm of Asaph." | Many psalms attributed to Asaph or his guild |
| Ps 77:1 | "To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph." | Asaph's poetic and spiritual depth reflected in psalms |
| 1 Sam 10:5 | "You will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place..." | Prophets prophesying with musical instruments |
| 1 Kgs 3:15 | "So he said to Gehazi, 'Come near.'" | Elisha uses music to prepare for prophetic utterance |
| Joel 2:28 | "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out..." | Prophecy as a widespread spiritual gifting |
| Acts 2:17-18 | "‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour..." | Fulfillment of widespread prophecy in the Spirit age |
| Rom 12:6 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us..." | Diverse spiritual gifts for ministry |
| 1 Cor 12:4-6 | "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;" | Diversity of spiritual gifts including prophecy |
| 1 Cor 14:3 | "On the contrary, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their..." | Edifying nature of prophecy |
| Eph 5:19 | "addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..." | Music and singing as a means of Spirit-filled worship |
| Col 3:16 | "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing..." | Spiritual songs used to teach and encourage |
| Heb 13:15 | "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise..." | Worship as a continuous sacrifice unto God |
| Rev 15:3 | "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song..." | Worship and singing in heavenly glory |
1 Chronicles 25 verses
1 Chronicles 25 2 Meaning
First Chronicles 25:2 details the four sons of Asaph—Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah—who were appointed to serve under Asaph’s leadership in the temple worship. It highlights Asaph himself as one who prophesied, using the lyre as his instrument, thereby integrating divinely inspired musical expression into the structured Levitical service for the tabernacle/temple.
1 Chronicles 25 2 Context
This verse is situated within David’s comprehensive organization of the Levitical service for the future Temple. Chapters 23 through 26 of 1 Chronicles detail David's systematic approach to temple duties, long before the structure itself was built. Chapter 25 specifically outlines the 24 divisions of musicians designated for sacred service, each with specific leaders and roles. The establishment of this highly organized worship structure ensured continuous and orderly praise to God. Historically, this move solidified the role of music and the arts in Israelite worship, integrating it deeply into the religious life of the nation, elevating it beyond mere entertainment to a central act of service and prophecy.
1 Chronicles 25 2 Word analysis
- Of Asaph (לְאָסָף, lĕ’āsāf): Indicates the lineage, guild, or division of musicians associated with Asaph, one of David's three chief musicians and seers. It establishes the group being discussed.
- Zaccur (זַכּוּר, Zakkûr): Meaning "mindful" or "remembered." One of Asaph's sons appointed for musical service.
- Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yôsēf): Meaning "he adds" or "he increases." Another of Asaph's sons serving in this role.
- Nethaniah (נְתַנְיָהוּ, Nĕtanyāhû): Meaning "Yahweh has given" or "gift of the Lord." One of the four specific individuals mentioned.
- Asharelah (עֲשָׂרְאֵלָה, ‘Ăśār’ēlāh): Meaning "upright before God" or "straight to God." This individual is also referred to as Jesharelah (יְשַׂרְאֵלָה, Yĕsar'ēlāh) in 1 Chronicles 25:14, likely a textual variation or an alternative name, maintaining the same identity within the division.
- the sons of Asaph (בְּנֵי אָסָף, bĕnê 'āsāf): Refers to the descendants of Asaph or the guild of musicians under his patriarchal/founding influence. This confirms their direct connection and lineage within this specific Levitical musical family.
- under the direction of Asaph (בִּידֵי אָסָף, bîdê 'āsāf): Literally "by the hands of Asaph" or "under the hand of Asaph." This phrase emphasizes his leadership, mentorship, and authority over this particular group, ensuring proper training and performance in divine service.
- who prophesied (הַנָּבִיא, hannābî’ / נִבָּא, nibbā’ in context of musical action): From the root `naba'`, meaning "to utter, to bubble forth." In this context, it implies speaking or declaring God's word and truth, often under divine inspiration, not solely predicting the future. This "prophesying" involved expressing divine messages through song and music, bringing spiritual revelation and edification to the assembly. It suggests their music was not mere performance but a conduit for God’s Spirit.
- with the lyre (בַּכִּנּוֹר, bakkinnôr): The `kinnor` (lyre or harp) was a popular stringed instrument in ancient Israel, often associated with spiritual contexts, royal courts, and sacred worship. Its mention highlights the medium through which the musical prophecy was conveyed, emphasizing that music was integral to this form of prophetic utterance.
- prophesied with the lyre: This phrase uniquely connects the act of prophesying with a specific musical instrument. It underscores that for Asaph and his guild, inspired musical expression was a legitimate and recognized form of conveying divine truth, revelation, comfort, or admonition to the congregation, empowered by the Spirit of God. It signifies sacred music as a form of divine communication and revelation.
1 Chronicles 25 2 Bonus section
The concept of "prophesying with the lyre" connects strongly to Old Testament instances where music facilitated prophetic revelation (e.g., Elisha calling for a musician before prophesying in 2 Kings 3:15). It indicates that some forms of prophecy were not only verbal pronouncements but also inspired creative expressions, conveying God's message through the harmony and emotion of music. Asaph, alongside Heman and Jeduthun, were titled "seers" or "prophets" in 1 Chronicles (25:5; 2 Chronicles 29:30), cementing their role as those who communicated God's divine will, truth, and perspective to the people through their craft. This suggests a broader understanding of "prophecy" beyond predictive foresight, encompassing inspired teaching, declaration of divine truth, and spiritual insight expressed through various divinely gifted channels, including sacred music and songwriting, as seen in many of Asaph’s Psalms.
1 Chronicles 25 2 Commentary
1 Chronicles 25:2 presents a specific example of David’s highly structured organization of worship. It highlights Asaph, not only as a master musician and leader of a significant Levitical family division, but crucially as one who "prophesied with the lyre." This underscores that the temple music, led by such figures, was understood to be divinely inspired and a vehicle for divine revelation, far more than mere performance or ritual. The selection of specific individuals like Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah shows the detailed planning and the emphasis on a dedicated, trained, and spiritually gifted service. It illustrates the Bible's deep appreciation for music as a legitimate and powerful means of experiencing God's presence and receiving His word.