asaph Summary and Overview

convener, or collector. (1.) A Levite; one of the leaders of David's choir (1 Chr. 6:39). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a "seer" (2 Chr. 29:30). The "sons of Asaph," mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1, 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41, were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master. (2.) The "recorder" in the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37). (3.) The "keeper of the king's forest," to whom Nehemiah requested from Artaxerxes a "letter" that he might give him timber for the temple at Jerusalem (Neh. 2:8).

(collector of the people). 1. A Levite, son of Berechiah, one of the leaders of David's choir. #1Ch 6:39| Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed to him; and he was in after times celebrated as a seer as well as a musical composer. #2Ch 29:30; Ne 12:46| (B.C. 1050.) 2. The father or ancestor of Joah, the chronicler to the kingdom of Judah in the reign of Hezekiah, #2Ki 18:18,37; Isa 36:3,22| probably the same as the preceding. 3. The keeper of the royal forest or "paradise" of Artaxerxes, #Ne 2:8| a Jew, in high office at the court of Persia. (B.C. 536.) 4. Ancestor of Mattaniah, the conductor of the temple-choir after the return from Babylon. #1Ch 9:16; Ne 11:17| Most probably the same as 1 and 2.

A'SAPH (collector). 1. A Levite who was a chief leader of the temple choir and a poet. 1 Chr 6:39. Twelve of the Psalms are attributed to him -- namely, Ps 50 and from Ps 73-83. He is also spoken of as a "seer" in connection with David. 2 Chr 29:30; Neh 12:46. "The sons of Asaph" were probably a school of musicians. 1. The father of Joah, recorder to Hezekiah. 2 Kgs 18:18, 2 Kgs 18:37; Isa 36:3,Josh 11:22. 2. The keeper of the king's forest to Artaxerxes. Neh 2:8. 3. A Levite, an ancestor of Mattaniah. Neh 11:17. Perhaps the same as 1. ASAR'EEL (whom God has bound; i.e. by an oath), a descendant of Judah. 1 Chr 4:16.

("assembler".) 1. A Levite, son of Berachiah; one of David's choir leaders (1 Chronicles 6:39). An inspired seer, as well as a composer of music (2 Chronicles 29:30; Nehemiah 12:46). "The sons of Asaph" were poets and musical composers of the school founded by him; as Heman and Jeduthun also were heads of schools of sacred inspired music. 1 Chronicles 25:1; 2 Chronicles 20:14; Ezra 2:41; Psalm 50; 73; 83, are all attributed to his authorship; but 83, celebrates the victory of Jehoshaphat long after Asaph's time, therefore "Asaph" in this psalm's title must mean "one of the school of Asaph." 2. 2 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 18:37. 3. Nehemiah 2:8. 4. Nehemiah 11:17.