Asaph אָסָף
Levite musician, psalmist, and ancestor of temple singers
Biography
Asaph was a prominent Levite musician and psalmist during the reign of King David. He was appointed by David as one of the leaders of music in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Asaph, along with Heman and Ethan, was responsible for leading the musical worship and prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals. He also composed and collected psalms, with 12 psalms (50, 73-83) attributed to him in the Book of Psalms. Asaph's descendants continued to serve as temple singers and musicians for generations, as evidenced by their mention in the reigns of subsequent kings and in the post-exilic period. The "sons of Asaph" are often referred to as a distinct group of temple singers, highlighting the enduring legacy of Asaph's musical contributions to Israelite worship.
Family
Offspring
- Zaccur Tribe of LeviSon of JaaziahMerarite Levite, son of JaaziahView full profile →
- Joseph Tribe of LeviSon of AsaphSon of Asaph, a musician in David's timeView full profile →
- Nethaniah Tribe of LeviSon of AsaphMusician in David's time, descended from AsaphView full profile →
- Asharelah Tribe of LeviSon of AsaphLevite musician appointed by David to prophesy with lyresView full profile →
In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 3 with study content1 Chronicles 5 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:39
"His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,"
- 1 Chronicles 15:17
"So 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 15:19
"So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of bronze to sound aloud;"
- 1 Chronicles 16:5
"Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;"
- 1 Chronicles 16:7
"Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers."
2 Chronicles 5 verses
- 2 Chronicles 5:12
"also 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, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with..."
- 2 Chronicles 20:14
"Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;"
- 2 Chronicles 29:13
"and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;"
- 2 Chronicles 29:30
"Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped."
- 2 Chronicles 35:15
"The 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 need to depart from their service, because their brothers the Levites prepared for them."
Ezra 2 verses
- Ezra 2:41
"The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 3:10
"When the builders laid the foundation of Yahweh’s temple, they set the priests in their clothing with trumpets, with the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahweh, according to the directions of David king of Israel."
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 4 verses
- Nehemiah 7:44
"The singers: the children of Asaph: one hundred forty-eight."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 11:22
"The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of God’s house."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 12:35
"and some of the priests’ sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph;"
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 12:46
"For in the days of David and Asaph of old there was a chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God."
Study Nehemiah →
Psalms 5 verses
- Psalms 50:1
"The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset."
Study Psalms → - Psalms 73:1
"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."
Study Psalms → - Psalms 74:1
"God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?"
Study Psalms → - Psalms 75:1
"We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works."
Study Psalms → - Psalms 76:1
"In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel."
Study Psalms →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אָסָף | H0623G |
Asaph
d we first hear of him when the ark was taken to Jerusalem (1Ch 15:16-19). He conducted with cymbals the music performed in the tent where the ark was housed (1Ch 16:4,5,7,37), while his two coadjutors discharged the same office at Gibeon (1Ch 16:41,42). In 1Ch 25:1 ff we are told that four of his sons were appointed to conduct under him detachments of the great chorus, the families of Heman and Jeduthun also furnishing leaders, and all took part at the dedication of the temple (2Ch 5:12). A., H., and J. were called the king's seers (1Ch 25; 2Ch 35:15), no doubt an official title of rank or dignity. The "Sons of Asaph" are mentioned in later times. They formed a guild, and played a prominent part at each revival of the national religion. See MUSIC; PSALMS.
James Millar
as'-a-ra (Asara; the King James Version Azara): The sons of Asara (temple-servants) returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (1 Esdras 5:31). Omitted in Ezra and Nehemiah.
a-sar