Jeduthun
“Praising or lauder”
Summary
One of the three great masters of Temple music appointed by David, also called the 'king's seer,' whose name appears in the titles of several Psalms.
☩Role in Temple Music
Jeduthun was a Levite of Merari's family and one of the three chief masters of Temple music appointed by David, alongside Asaph the Gershonite and Heman the Kohathite. He bore the title 'the king's seer,' indicating his prophetic gifts, for he and his sons 'prophesied with the harp, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord.' He sounded the cymbals of brass, marking time, while those under him played harps and psalteries.
☩Identity with Ethan
From comparison of various passages, Jeduthun appears to be identical with Ethan the Merarite. Since there was one head of music from each of the three Levitical families, and Jeduthun was clearly the Merarite representative, he is likely the same person as Ethan mentioned elsewhere in that capacity.
☩The Psalm Titles
Jeduthun's name appears in the superscriptions of Psalms 39, 62, and 77, indicating either that these psalms were to be sung by his choir, were composed in a musical style he developed, or were written by him. The phrase 'upon Jeduthun' may denote a particular type of instrumental music or tune introduced by him.
Related Verses12 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jeduthun," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Jeduthun," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jeduthun," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Jeduthun," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).