Asaph אָסָף
Levite musician, psalmist, and ancestor of temple singers
Who is Asaph in the Bible?
Asaph was a prominent Levite musician and psalmist appointed by King David to lead worship music in the tabernacle and temple (1 Chronicles 15:17, 19; 16:5, 7). Along with Heman and Ethan, he directed musical worship using lyres, harps, and cymbals while also composing or collecting psalms, with 12 psalms (Psalms 50, 73-83) bearing his name. His descendants, known as the "sons of Asaph," continued serving as temple singers for generations, appearing in records from subsequent kings through the post-exilic period (Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 11:22; 12:35, 46). Asaph's legacy demonstrates the central role of music and musicians in Israel's worship practice and the lasting institutional importance of his family line to the temple's religious life.
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
"Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,"
- 1 Chronicles 15:17
"So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;"
- 1 Chronicles 15:19
"The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals."
- 1 Chronicles 16:5
"Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals"
- 1 Chronicles 16:7
"On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:"
2 Chronicles 5 verses
- 2 Chronicles 5:12
"all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets."
- 2 Chronicles 20:14
"Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly."
- 2 Chronicles 29:13
"Shimri and Jeuel from the Elizaphanites; Zechariah and Mattaniah from the Asaphites;"
- 2 Chronicles 29:30
"Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped."
- 2 Chronicles 35:15
"The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them."
Ezra 2 verses
- Ezra 2:41
"The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 3:10
"When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed."
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 4 verses
- Nehemiah 7:44
"The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 11:22
"Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the singers in charge of the service of the house of God."
Study Nehemiah → - Nehemiah 12:35
"and some of the priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah 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 long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God."
Study Nehemiah →
Psalms 5 verses
- Psalms 50:1
"The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets."
Study Psalms → - Psalms 73:1
"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."
Study Psalms → - Psalms 74:1
"Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?"
Study Psalms → - Psalms 75:1
"We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. The people declare Your wondrous works."
Study Psalms → - Psalms 76:1
"God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel."
Study Psalms →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אָסָף | Asaph , the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first |
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