Heman הֵימָן

Male Tribe of Judah H1968G 2 books

A wise man during Solomon's time.

Who is Heman in the Bible?

Heman was a wise man during the reign of King Solomon, mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 alongside other renowned wise men such as Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol. Although Heman possessed great wisdom, the biblical account emphasizes that Solomon's wisdom surpassed that of all these men, demonstrating the extraordinary gift of wisdom God had granted to Solomon. Heman the Ezrahite was also a psalmist and musician, as indicated by the title of Psalm 88, which is attributed to him and expresses deep spiritual anguish and introspection. His significance in Scripture lies in serving as a point of comparison that magnifies Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and as a voice of lament and honest prayer in the biblical psalter.

Biography

Heman is mentioned in the book of 1 Kings as one of the wise men during the reign of King Solomon. He is described as a man of great wisdom, along with Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol (1Ki.4.31). However, the passage also states that Solomon's wisdom surpassed that of all these men, indicating that Heman, while wise, was not as wise as Solomon himself. The comparison serves to highlight the exceptional wisdom that God had granted to Solomon.

Heman the Ezrahite was a psalmist and musician mentioned in the title of Psalm 88. He is described as "Heman the Ezrahite," indicating that he was a descendant of Zerah, one of the sons of Judah (Gen.38.30; 1Ch.2.6). Psalm 88, which is attributed to Heman, is a deeply sorrowful and introspective psalm, expressing the psalmist's anguish and despair. The psalm is unique in that it does not end with the usual expression of hope or praise found in most other psalms. This has led some scholars to suggest that Heman may have composed the psalm during a time of great personal distress or national crisis.

Family

In Scripture

2 biblical books ; 1 with study content
1 Kings 1 verse
  • 1 Kings 4:31

    "He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations."

Psalms 1 verse
  • Psalms 88:1

    "O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You."

    Study Psalms →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew הֵימָן