Chapter 25

Next, David and his captains set apart the sons of Asaph, Heman and Idithun to give praise with harp and zither and cymbals, each fulfilling their appointed office in turn.

The sons of Asaph, Zacchur, Joseph, Nathania and Asarela were under the direction of their father, that took his commands from the king.

The six sons of Idithun, Godolias, Sori, Jeseias, (Semeias),1 Hasabias and Mathathias, were under the direction of their father Idithun, that played the harp while they sang the Lord’s praise.

Heman’s sons were called Bocciau, Mathaniau, Oziel, Subuel, Jerimoth, Hananias, Hanani, Eliatha, Geddelthi, Romemthiezer, Jesbacassa, Mellothi, Othir and Mahazioth.

This Heman was the king’s seer, interpreting the divine utterance to him; and God had made him the proud father of all these;2 fourteen sons he gave him and three daughters.

Thus were the sons of Asaph, Idithun and Heman marshalled, at the king’s express order, for their temple service of making music with cymbals, harp and zither.

The whole number, including those brethren of theirs who had skill in the divine chant, all masters of their craft, was two hundred and eighty-eight;

and they cast lots for the order in which they were to take turns, without regard to seniority or to skill.

The first lot fell to Joseph, that was of Asaph’s clan. Of the rest, each had twelve more, his brethren and his sons, associated with him; their names were Godolias,

Zacchur,

Sori,

Nathania,

Bocciau,

Oziel,

Jesaias,

Mathaniau,

Semeias,

Asarela,

Hasabias,

Subuel,

Mathathias,

Jerimoth,

Hananias,

Jesbacassa,

Hanani,

Mellothi,

Eliatha,

Othir,

Geddelthi,

Mahazioth,

Romemthiezer.