Asaph

Meaning: convener, or collector

This was the name of 3 biblical men.

1. Asaph, the Levite, son of Berachiah (1 Chronicles 6:39)

   This Asaph was a one of the writers of Psalms, a “seer” (prophet) (1 Chronicles 25:2; 2 Chronicles 29:30) and the leader of David’s choir. Psalm 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with King David as skilled in music.

   “And they brought in the ark of God and placed it inside the tent which David had pitched for it… He [David] appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, even to celebrate and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, with musical instruments, harps, lyres; also Asaph played loud-sounding cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests blew trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the Lord.” —1 Chronicles 16:1-7 NASB

   “Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king” (1 Chronicles 25:2 NASB)

   More information

   • David
   • inspiration
   • music
   • Psalms
   • poetry
   • songs
   • cymbals
   • ark

2. Asaph, the recorder

   This Asaph was the “recorder” in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37).

3. Asaph, a servant of King Artaxerxes

   This Aspah was the “keeper of the king’s forest” to whom Nehemiah requested from Artaxerxes a “letter” that he might give him timber for the temple at Jerusalem (Neh. 2:8).