Mattithiah מַתִּתְיָ֫הוּ
Levite musician during the time of David.
Who is Mattithiah in the Bible?
Mattithiah was a Levite musician who served during the reign of King David, appointed to lead music and praise in the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21). He is specifically mentioned as a harpist who played to accompany the singing of psalms and hymns in worship (1 Chronicles 16:5). As one of the sons of Jeduthun, a chief musician in David's court, Mattithiah was responsible for leading the fourteenth division of musicians (1 Chronicles 25:3, 21). His role exemplifies the importance of worship music in Israelite religious practice and demonstrates how David organized the Levitical musicians to enhance the spiritual life of the nation.
Biography
Mattithiah was a Levite who served as a musician during the reign of King David. He was among the Levites appointed by David to lead the music and praise in the tabernacle (1Ch.15.18, 21). Mattithiah is specifically mentioned as a harpist, playing the harp to accompany the singing of psalms and hymns (1Ch.16.5). He was also one of the sons of Jeduthun, a chief musician in David's court, and was responsible for leading the fourteenth division of musicians (1Ch.25.3, 21). Mattithiah's role as a musician highlights the importance of worship and the use of music in the Israelite religious practices during David's reign.
Family
Siblings
- Obed-edom Tribe of LeviA SingerGittite who housed the ArkView full profile →
- Gedaliah Tribe of LeviSon of JeduthunSon of Jeduthun; a temple musician during David's reign.View full profile →
- Zeri Tribe of LeviSon of JeduthunSon of Jeduthun, a temple musicianView full profile →
- Jeshaiah Tribe of LeviSon of JeduthunA Levite, son of Jeduthun the musician.View full profile →
- Hashabiah Tribe of LeviSon of JeduthunA musician in the temple, son of Jeduthun.View full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 5 verses
- 1 Chronicles 15:18
"and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel."
- 1 Chronicles 15:21
"And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith."
- 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 25:3
"From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD."
- 1 Chronicles 25:21
"the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מַתִּתְיָ֫הוּ |
Mattithiah
compare 1 Esdras 9:43). He may be the individual set over "things that were baked in pans" (1Ch 9:31).
(2) One of those appointed by David to minister before the ark, and to "celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel" (1Ch 16:4,5).
(3) One of those who had foreign wives (Ezr 10:43). In 1 Esdras 9:35, "Mazitias."
(4) One of the Levites who ministered before the ark with harps 1Ch 15:18,21; 25:3,11, 2nd spelling).
Henry Wallace
(1) machereshah, probably "a pick-axe" (1Sa 13:20,21; compare <ref osisRef="Bible:1Sam.13.2