Catholic Commentary on 1 Chronicles 25

"All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God." (1 Chronicles 25:6)

The Twenty-Four Divisions of Musicians

David and the leaders set apart the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for prophesying accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals. All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Their total number, along with their relatives who were trained and skilled in music for the LORD, was 288. The twenty-four divisions of musicians are also assigned by lot, young and old alike, teacher alongside student.

The Catechism identifies sacred music as an integral part of liturgical worship, not an ornament but a constitutive element: the song of the Temple is part of the sacrifice of praise that the community offers before God (CCC 1156). Heman is called the king's seer who spoke the words of God, and his sons play to give praise to God. Music in the Temple is prophecy as much as performance.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, Temple music was prophecy: Heman spoke the words of God through his music. Sacred music in the Church is not entertainment or atmosphere; it is prophetic proclamation. The song that carries the word of God into the heart of the listener is doing the work of the prophet. Sing the word. Play the word.

Prayer

Lord God, your Temple musicians were prophets. Give your Church musicians who speak your word through their instruments and voices, not merely performers but prophets of praise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

25
Twenty-Four Divisions of Musicians
1 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:
 
2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
 
3 From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,* 25:3 One Hebrew manuscript and some LXX manuscripts (see also verse 17); most Hebrew manuscripts do not include 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.
 
4 From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel,† 25:4 Shebuel is a variant of Shubael; see verse 20. Jerimoth,‡ 25:4 Jerimoth is a variant of Jeremoth; see verse 22. Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5 All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
 
6 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. 7 Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288. 8 They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.
 
9 The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;§ 25:9 See LXX and the total in verse 7; Hebrew does not include his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
10 the third to Zaccur, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
11 the fourth to Izri,* 25:11 Izri is a variant of Zeri; see verse 3. his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
14 the seventh to Jesarelah,† 25:14 Jesarelah is a variant of Asarelah; see verse 2. his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
18 the eleventh to Azarel,‡ 25:18 Azarel is a variant of Uzziel; see verse 4. his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth,§ 25:22 Jeremoth is a variant of Jerimoth; see verse 4. his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;
 
31 and the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons, and his brothers-12 in all.

*25:3 25:3 One Hebrew manuscript and some LXX manuscripts (see also verse 17); most Hebrew manuscripts do not include Shimei.

†25:4 25:4 Shebuel is a variant of Shubael; see verse 20.

‡25:4 25:4 Jerimoth is a variant of Jeremoth; see verse 22.

§25:9 25:9 See LXX and the total in verse 7; Hebrew does not include his sons, and his brothers-12 in all;

*25:11 25:11 Izri is a variant of Zeri; see verse 3.

†25:14 25:14 Jesarelah is a variant of Asarelah; see verse 2.

‡25:18 25:18 Azarel is a variant of Uzziel; see verse 4.

§25:22 25:22 Jeremoth is a variant of Jerimoth; see verse 4.

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