Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

1 CHRONICLES 16:5KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:5 lists several men who were assigned specific roles in leading music and worship when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. Asaph is named as the chief musician, with others playing different instruments like psalteries, harps, and cymbals.

This verse is part of a historical account where King David organizes the Levites for worship before the Ark. The verse highlights the careful assignment of musical duties, showing the importance of music in Israel’s worship and the structured approach to praising God in the tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:5

  • "Chief" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word means "head" or "leader," and here it shows that Asaph was the main leader among the musicians, not just one of the group.
  • "Psalteries" (נֵבֶל, nevel): This refers to a stringed instrument, often translated as "lyre" or "harp," and points to the variety of instruments used in worship.
  • "Sound" (שָׁמַע, shama): This word usually means "to hear," but here it carries the idea of making a sound or playing an instrument so it can be heard, emphasizing Asaph’s active musical role.
  • "Cymbals" (מְצִלְתַּיִם, metziltayim): This word refers to a type of percussion instrument, showing that worship involved both melody and rhythm.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:5 matters

  • This verse shows that worship in ancient Israel was organized and intentional, with specific people and instruments chosen for their roles.
  • The mention of different instruments and leaders highlights the value placed on music as a central part of communal worship.
  • By naming individuals and their duties, the verse connects the act of worship to real people, grounding the spiritual event in history and community.

Where else these words appear

“Shemiramoth” Hebrew H8070 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:20 And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
  • 2 Chronicles 17:8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

“Mattithiah” Hebrew H4993 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

“Jeiel” Hebrew H3273 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:13 And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:

“cymbals” Hebrew H4700 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;