Lexical Summary Heman: Heman Original Word: הֵימָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Heman Probably from 'aman; faithful; Heman, the name of at least two Israelites -- Heman. see HEBREW 'aman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aman Definition an Isr. name NASB Translation Heman (16). Brown-Driver-Briggs הֵימָן proper name, masculine Heman (faithful, compare Aramaic מְהֵימָן,  ) a wise man with whom Solomon is compared 1 Kings 5:11, where app. son of Mahol (Klo sons of the dance); named with 3 others, one being Ethan the Ezrahite; 1 Chronicles 2:6 a Heman is named with same 3+1 other, & all called sons of Zerah of Judah; Heman appears Psalm 88:1 also as the Ezrahite (see below זרח), compare Ethan above; in other passages Heman is a Levite; specifically Kohathite, son of Joel, called the singer (הַמְשׁוֺרֵר) 1 Chronicles 6:18 ("" Asaph v.1 Chronicles 6:24, Ethan v.1 Chronicles 6:29); Heman, Asaph & Ethan named as the singers (הַמְשֹׁרְרִים) 1 Chronicles 15:17,19; compare Heman & Jeduthun 1 Chronicles 16:41,42 ("" Asaph 1 Chronicles 16:37); Heman, Asaph & Jeduthun 1 Chronicles 25:6; 2Chronicles 5:12; 35:15; elsewhere בְּנֵי אָ סָף וְהֵימָן וִידוּתוּן 1 Chronicles 25:1 compare 1 Chronicles 25:4; 1 Chronicles 25:4; 1 Chronicles 25:5; 1 Chronicles 25:5; בְּנֵי הֵימָן2Chronicles 29:14 ("" בְּנֵי ידוּתוּן); — 2 Chronicles 25:5 Heman is called חֹזֵה הַמֶּלָח בְּדִבְ רֵי הַאֱלֹהִים (compare Asaph 2 Chronicles 29:30, Jeduthun 2 Chronicles 35:15). — On question of identity of Heman in these various connections, see Thes Comm. הֵימָן proper name see אמן. Topical Lexicon Identity and Distinct Figures Scripture presents two men named Heman. 1. Heman the Ezrahite (Judahite, descended from Zerah) appears in 1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chronicles 2:6 and is named in the superscription of Psalm 88. Wisdom of Heman the Ezrahite Solomon’s extraordinary wisdom is measured by comparison to Heman: “He was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda—the sons of Mahol” (1 Kings 4:31). The listing alongside Ethan and others in 1 Chronicles 2:6 places Heman among a renowned clan of Judah noted for insight. Psalm 88, titled “A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite,” attests that his wisdom included profound theological reflection on suffering and hope in the God of salvation (Psalm 88:1). Levitical Lineage and Appointment The Levitical Heman is traced: “From the Kohathites: Heman the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel” (1 Chronicles 6:33). David recognizes his heritage and gifts, appointing him chief musician when the Ark is brought to Jerusalem: “So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel… The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals” (1 Chronicles 15:17, 19). Prophetic and Musical Ministry Heman’s ministry unites music and prophecy. He is repeatedly coupled with Asaph and Jeduthun, forming a triad that establishes the pattern for temple worship (1 Chronicles 16:41-42; 25:1). “Heman the king’s seer, by the words of God, to exalt his horn” (1 Chronicles 25:5) shows that musical service is explicitly prophetic, guided by divine revelation. Family of Worshipers Heman’s household is exemplary: “God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters, and all of them were under their father’s direction in music for the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 25:5-6). The next generations (2 Chronicles 29:14; 35:15) are still active, indicating a legacy of faithful service spanning centuries. Role in National Worship Events • Dedication of David’s tabernacle worship (1 Chronicles 16). These passages show that whenever national revival or covenant renewal occurs, the pattern established by David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun provides the musical and prophetic framework. Authorship and Theology in Psalm 88 Psalm 88, attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, is the bleakest lament in the Psalter, yet it anchors even the deepest despair to covenant faith: “O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You” (Psalm 88:1). The psalm models honesty before God while maintaining dependence on His character, embodying the balance of lament and faith that undergirds biblical worship. Theological and Typological Significance 1. Union of Word and Song: Heman’s prophetic musicianship illustrates that truth and beauty belong together in worship. Summary Heman stands as both sage and singer. Whether reckoned among Judah’s wisest or numbered with Levi’s most gifted prophets, his life and legacy demonstrate that intellectual insight, artistic skill, and spiritual revelation are harmonized in the service of the Lord. Forms and Transliterations הֵימָ֖ן הֵימָ֡ן הֵימָ֣ן הֵימָ֥ן הֵימָ֨ן הֵימָן֙ הימן וְהֵימָ֛ן וְהֵימָ֣ן וְהֵימָ֤ן וְהֵימָ֧ן וְהֵימָֽן׃ והימן והימן׃ לְהֵימָ֑ן לְהֵימָ֗ן לְהֵימָ֣ן לְהֵימָ֥ן להימן hê·mān heiMan hêmān lə·hê·mān leheiMan ləhêmān veheiMan wə·hê·mān wəhêmānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 4:31 HEB: מֵאֵיתָ֣ן הָאֶזְרָחִ֗י וְהֵימָ֧ן וְכַלְכֹּ֛ל וְדַרְדַּ֖ע NAS: the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol KJV: the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, INT: Ethan the Ezrahite Heman Calcol and Darda 1 Chronicles 2:6 1 Chronicles 6:33 1 Chronicles 15:17 1 Chronicles 15:19 1 Chronicles 16:41 1 Chronicles 16:42 1 Chronicles 25:1 1 Chronicles 25:4 1 Chronicles 25:4 1 Chronicles 25:5 1 Chronicles 25:5 1 Chronicles 25:6 2 Chronicles 5:12 2 Chronicles 29:14 2 Chronicles 35:15 Psalm 88:1 17 Occurrences |
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