jeduthun Summary and Overview

lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6). He is called in 2 Chr. 35:15 "the king's seer." His descendants are mentioned as singers and players on instruments (Neh. 11:17). He was probably the same as Ethan (1 Chr. 15:17, 19). In the superscriptions to Ps. 39, 62, and 77, the words "upon Jeduthun" probably denote a musical instrument; or they may denote the style or tune invented or introduced by Jeduthun, or that the psalm was to be sung by his choir.

(praising), a Levite of the family of Merari, is probably the same as Ethan. Comp. #1Ch 15:17,19| with 1Chr 16:41,42; 25:1,3,6; 2Chr 35:15 His office was generally to preside over the music of the temple service, Jeduthun's name stands at the head of the 39th, 62d and 77th Psalms, indicating probably that they were to be sung by his choir. (B.C. 1014.)

JED'UTHUN (praising), an eminent master of the temple-music, to whom several of the Psalms are inscribed, see Ps 39, Ps 62, Ps 77, etc., or by whom, as some suppose, they were written. Probably he was identical with Ethan. 1 Chr 6:44; 1 Chr 15:17, 1 Chr 15:19; 1 Chr 16:38, 1 Chr 16:41-42; 1 Chr 25:1-6. "We find subsequently his division officiating when the temple was completed, 2 Chr 5:12, in Hezekiah's reformation, 2 Chr 29:14, and also under Josiah, 2 Chr 35:15; moreover, after the Captivity, a descendant of his house is mentioned. 1 Chr 9:16; Neh 11:17. Three Psalms have Jeduthun in their titles, Ps 39, Ps 62, Ps 77; probably they were to be sung by his musical division." -- Ayre.

J EDITTHUN = "who gives praises." 1 Chronicles 16:38; Psalm 39, 62, 77, titles, implying that these psalms were to be sung by Jeduthun's choir; Nehemiah 11:17. Jeduthun presided over a choir under David. "The sons of Jeduthun" had the office to "prophesy with the harp, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord" (1 Chronicles 25:1,3). He wasa Merarite Levite, along with the Kohathite Heman and the Gershonite Asaph directing the music of the sanctuary; 4,000 in all, divided into courses, "praising the Lord with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith"(1 Chronicles 23:5,6). Identical with see ETHAN the Merarite (1 Chronicles 6:44; 15:17,19); for as there was one Kohathite and one Gershonite, head of musicians, so there would be only one Merarite head. That Jeduthun was a Merarite appears from Hosah his son (1 Chronicles 16:38,42) being a Merarite (1 Chronicles 26:10). Compare also 1 Chronicles 15:17,19 with 16:41,42; 25:1,3,6; 2 Chronicles 35:15, where he is called the "king's seer," i.e. being under the Spirit's influence. He sounded the cymbals of brass, marking time, while those under him played the harp (Psalm 150:5). The trumpets were peculiar to the priests. Asaph and his brethren ministered before the ark at Jerusalem, Jeduthun and Heman "before the tabernacle of Jehovah in the high place at Gibeon." His sons were six of them prophesiers with the harp, and two of them, Obed Edom and Hosah, gatekeepers. Jeduthun's singers with Asaph's and Heman's (namely, their sons and brethren),arrayed in white linen, officiated at the E. end of the altar, having cymbals, psalteries, and harps, at the dedication of Solomon's temple; and it was "when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord," with trumpets, cymbals, and instruments accompanying the voices praising the Lord "for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever," that the house of the Lord was filled with the cloud of glory (2 Chronicles 5:13,14; compare 2 Chronicles 20:21,22). Praise is a most effective way of obtaining God's help. In Hezekiah's reign (2 Chronicles 29:13,14), again in Josiah's (2 Chronicles 35:15), lastly under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 11:17), Jeduthun's choir or descendants officiated in the sanctuary music.