1 Chronicles 25:4 kjv
Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
1 Chronicles 25:4 nkjv
Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
1 Chronicles 25:4 niv
As for Heman, from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth.
1 Chronicles 25:4 esv
Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.
1 Chronicles 25:4 nlt
From the sons of Heman, there were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
1 Chronicles 25 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 6:33 | "These are the men who served, along with their sons... Heman, the singer" | Heman's ancestral role as chief musician |
| Ps 88:1 (superscription) | "A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite." | Connects Heman to a specific psalm |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | "David and the chiefs of the service separated for the service... Heman..." | Heman's appointment to temple music by David |
| 1 Chr 25:3 | "Of Jeduthun... six sons..." | Parallel with other chief musicians' sons |
| 1 Chr 25:5 | "All these were the sons of Heman... according to the words of God" | Reiteration of divine mandate for their service |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | "4,000 praised the Lord with the instruments... David made for praise." | General number of Levitical musicians |
| 2 Chr 5:12 | "...the Levites, the singers, all of them, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen..." | Levites, including Heman's lineage, in temple inauguration |
| Neh 12:46 | "For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of singers and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God." | Echoes the enduring legacy of Davidic music |
| 1 Sam 9:9 | "Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, 'Come, let us go to the seer.'" | Definition of a 'seer' as a man of God |
| 2 Sam 24:11 | "...the prophet Gad, David's seer..." | Another example of a 'seer' to a king |
| 1 Chr 21:9 | "The Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer..." | Emphasizes the divine communication to a 'seer' |
| 2 Chr 9:29 | "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon... are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah... and in the visions of Iddo the seer..." | Identifies various seers and prophets |
| Gen 12:2 | "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you..." | God's promise to multiply and bless |
| Gen 22:17 | "I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring..." | God's blessing of abundant offspring |
| Ex 1:7 | "But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly..." | God's faithfulness in multiplication |
| Ps 127:3 | "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord..." | Children as a divine gift and blessing |
| Job 42:12-13 | "...the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning... he also had seven sons and three daughters." | God blessing with large family/prosperity |
| 1 Sam 2:1 | "My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord." | "Exalt the horn" - symbol of strength/honor |
| 1 Sam 2:10 | "...He will exalt the horn of his anointed." | God elevates and strengthens His chosen one |
| Ps 75:10 | "All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." | Divine exaltation for the righteous |
| Ps 89:17 | "For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted." | God's power elevates (the righteous/anointed) |
| Ps 92:10 | "But you have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox..." | Personal exaltation/strength by God |
| Ps 148:14 | "He has raised up a horn for his people..." | God provides strength and glory for His people |
| Deut 6:7 | "You shall teach them diligently to your children..." | Passing on faith and practice to generations |
1 Chronicles 25 verses
1 Chronicles 25 4 Meaning
This verse details fourteen sons of Heman, identifying them as a primary line in the Levitical musicians chosen by King David to lead worship. It highlights Heman himself as "the king's seer in the words of God," underscoring a divine inspiration guiding his family's musical ministry. The verse concludes by explicitly stating that God sovereignly gifted Heman with these numerous children, thereby emphasizing divine provision and blessing for the establishment and perpetuation of temple worship.
1 Chronicles 25 4 Context
First Chronicles chapter 25 details King David's organized assignment of the Levitical singers and musicians for the worship in the tabernacle, specifically in preparation for the future Temple. David, under divine guidance, recognized the importance of structured praise and thanksgiving. This chapter focuses on three chief musicians—Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun—and their twenty-four divisions, indicating an extensive, carefully planned system of worship involving hundreds of trained individuals. Verse 4 specifically introduces the family line of Heman, emphasizing his numerous sons who formed a significant part of this organized choir and orchestra. The historical context reveals David's proactive steps to establish a comprehensive and dedicated system for Levitical service, extending beyond the typical sacrificial duties to include prophetic music and song as integral components of communal worship.
1 Chronicles 25 4 Word analysis
- Of Heman: Indicates Heman as the progenitor and leader of this specific branch of the Levitical music guild. Heman (הֵימָן, Hêmān) means "faithful." He was a Kohathite Levite, a grandson of the prophet Samuel, highlighting a strong lineage of spiritual service (1 Chr 6:33).
- Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth: These are the specific names of Heman's fourteen sons. The listing underscores the detailed administrative organization carried out by David. Many of these names carry theological meanings, often relating to God's help, strength, or graciousness (e.g., Mattaniah means "Gift of Yahweh"; Uzziel, "My Strength is God"; Romamti-Ezer, "I have exalted help"; Mahazioth, "Visions"). This suggests a spiritual awareness or hope imbued within the family lineage dedicated to God's service.
- All these were the sons of Heman: This phrase explicitly confirms the parentage, reinforcing the direct line of inherited ministry and talent. It highlights their collective identity and purpose under Heman's leadership.
- the king's seer: (חֹזֶה הַמֶּלֶךְ, ḥozeh hammelek) A 'seer' was a prophet, one who "sees" visions or receives divine revelations. This term denotes Heman's role extended beyond merely musical skill to include prophetic insight or discernment, acting as a spiritual counselor to the king.
- in the words of God: (בְּדִבְרֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, bədiḇrê hāʾĕlōhîm) This vital phrase qualifies Heman's seership. It signifies that his prophetic ability and insight were not based on human intuition, sorcery, or pagan divination, but derived directly from divine revelation, the very words spoken by God. This emphasizes the divine source of his unique spiritual gift and authoritative guidance.
- to exalt the horn: (לְהָרִים קֶרֶן, ləhārîm qeren) This idiom metaphorically signifies to "lift up the horn," a symbol of strength, honor, dignity, and power. In the context of worship, it means to proclaim God's power, glory, and sovereignty, and perhaps the spiritual strength He grants His people. This aligns Heman's musical and prophetic ministry with the celebration and declaration of God's majesty.
- And God gave Heman: This explicit statement attributes the large family, not to chance or natural means alone, but to the direct, sovereign act of God. It underscores divine providence in establishing the worship structure.
- fourteen sons and three daughters: The precise number emphasizes the extent of God's blessing and provision. It indicates Heman was uniquely blessed with a numerous progeny, signifying that God Himself was supplying the necessary human resources for the expansive musical ministry in the temple. The sheer number of his offspring demonstrates divine endorsement and commitment to the perpetuation of the sacred music and prophetic praise within Israel.
1 Chronicles 25 4 Bonus section
The total number of chief musicians (Heman, Asaph, Jeduthun) and their collective sons formed twenty-four divisions. Each division comprised twelve men, totaling 288 principal musicians (24 divisions x 12 men/division). Heman's fourteen sons provided a substantial part of these leadership roles, showcasing the immense scale of David's organization of the Levitical service and the extraordinary blessing on Heman's family to fulfill such a significant proportion. The divine bestowal of many children was a practical necessity for populating such a comprehensive worship system, demonstrating God's hand in building His sanctuary services from the ground up, including providing the dedicated personnel. This also underscores the value placed on intergenerational commitment to divine service, a legacy passed down through family lines.
1 Chronicles 25 4 Commentary
First Chronicles 25:4 is a snapshot of God's meticulous care in orchestrating the worship of His people. It’s not merely a dry list of names but a testament to divine blessing and intentional design. Heman, as a chief musician, was not just a skilled artist, but a "seer in the words of God," bridging prophetic revelation with musical expression. This unique blend emphasizes that true worship springs from divine encounter and understanding. The detailed listing of his fourteen sons and three daughters, explicitly attributed as gifts "from God," illustrates God's active provision of human resources for His service. It demonstrates that when God calls for a task, He also supplies the means and personnel. This foundational setup by David ensured a lineage of skilled, Spirit-led musicians, ensuring that Israel's praise was not random but a structured, divinely-sanctioned activity. It is a powerful illustration of how God establishes and empowers ministries according to His will and for His glory.