The BibleGospel Companion

Jeduthun

יְדוּתוּן · ye.du.tun · H3038Gאֵיתָן · e.tan · H0387J“his law; giving praise” Hitchcock's 186915 mentions in 3 books, most in 1 Chronicles (9)

Who he was

Jeduthun, also referred to as Ethan, was a prominent Levitical musician and singer during the reign of King David. He is mentioned numerous times in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, as well as in the titles of several psalms. Jeduthun was one of the three principal musicians appointed by David to lead the music and singing in the tabernacle, alongside Asaph and Heman (1Ch.16.41-42; 25.1, 6). He and his sons were skilled in playing the harp, lyre, and cymbals (1Ch.16.42; 25.3). Jeduthun's descendants continued to serve as musicians in the temple during the reigns of subsequent kings, such as Solomon (2 Chronicles 5:12) and Hezekiah (2Ch.29.14; 35.15). Three psalms (Psalms 39, 62, and 77) are attributed to Jeduthun, indicating his role in composing or leading the music for these hymns. In 1 Chronicles 6:44 and 1Ch.15.17, 19, he is referred to as Ethan, suggesting that this was either an alternate name or a title. Jeduthun's significant role in the musical worship of ancient Israel highlights the importance of music and singing in the religious life of the nation.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

FatherKishiChildrenObed-edom, Mattithiah, Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, Shemaiah, Uzziel
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

15 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
1 ChroniclesChapter 6: 1 mentionChapter 15: 2 mentionsChapter 16: 3 mentionsChapter 25: 3 mentions9 mentions
1 Chronicles 6:44On the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,1 Chronicles 15:17So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;1 Chronicles 15:19So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of bronze to sound aloud;1 Chronicles 16:38and Obed-Edom with their sixty-eight relatives; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;1 Chronicles 16:41and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever;1 Chronicles 16:42and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God, and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.1 Chronicles 25:1Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments…1 Chronicles 25:3Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising…1 Chronicles 25:6All these were under the hands of their father for song in Yahweh’s house, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of God’s house: Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being…
2 ChroniclesChapter 5: 1 mentionChapter 29: 1 mentionChapter 35: 1 mention3 mentions
2 Chronicles 5:12also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps…2 Chronicles 29:14and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.2 Chronicles 35:15The singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their place, according to the commandment of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the gatekeepers were at every gate. They didn’t…
PsalmsChapter 39: 1 mentionChapter 62: 1 mentionChapter 77: 1 mention3 mentions
Psalms 39:1For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”Psalms 62:1For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.Psalms 77:1For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph. My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me.

What the dictionary says

Lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources