Singer living at the time of United Monarchy
Jeduthun, also known as Ethan, was a Levitical musician and singer during the reign of King David.
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Also known as Jedithun · Ethan
Jeduthun, also referred to as Ethan, was a prominent Levitical musician and singer during the reign of King David. He is mentioned numerous times in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, as well as in the titles of several psalms. Jeduthun was one of the three principal musicians appointed by David to lead the music and singing in the tabernacle, alongside Asaph and Heman (1Ch.16.41-42; 25.1, 6). He and his sons were skilled in playing the harp, lyre, and cymbals (1Ch.16.42; 25.3). Jeduthun's descendants continued to serve as musicians in the temple during the reigns of subsequent kings, such as Solomon (2Ch.5.12) and Hezekiah (2Ch.29.14; 35.15). Three psalms (Psalms 39, 62, and 77) are attributed to Jeduthun, indicating his role in composing or leading the music for these hymns. In 1Ch.6.44 and 1Ch.15.17, 19, he is referred to as Ethan, suggesting that this was either an alternate name or a title. Jeduthun's significant role in the musical worship of ancient Israel highlights the importance of music and singing in the religious life of the nation.
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15 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H3038
On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.
With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.”
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
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.
All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king.
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.
Jehiel and Shimei from the Hemanites; and Shemaiah and Uzziel from the Jeduthunites.
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the kingʼs seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”
In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.
I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.