Boy Old Testament Known
Jeduthun
his law; giving praise
יְדוּתוּן ye.du.tun
Jeduthun (Hebrew: יְדוּתוּן, ye.du.tun) means “his law; giving praise”, by traditional interpretation. Three men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a Levite. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Asa in 1 Chronicles 9.
Which Jeduthun?
Three men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Jeduthun
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Jeduthun
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Jeduthun
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 20 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 6:44 |
| Last appears | Psalms 77:1 |
| Cross-references | 462 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Heman co-occurrence Appears with Heman in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Ethan co-occurrence Appears with Ethan in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Asaph co-occurrence Appears with Asaph in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Kishi co-occurrence Appears with Kishi in 1 Chronicles 6.
- Shemaiah co-occurrence Appears with Shemaiah in 2 Chronicles 29.
- Uzziel co-occurrence Appears with Uzziel in 2 Chronicles 29.
- Shimei co-occurrence Appears with Shimei in 2 Chronicles 29.
- Jehuel co-occurrence Appears with Jehuel in 2 Chronicles 29.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.44;
son of: Kishi (H7029);
father of: Obed-edom (H5654), Mattithiah (H4993H), Gedaliah (H1436I), Zeri (H6874), Jeshaiah (H3470H), Hashabiah (H2811I), Shemaiah (H8098K) and Uzziel (H5816K); also called Ethan at 1Ch.6.44; 15.17,19;
Also named: e.tan (אֵיתָן "Ethan" H0387J)
§ Jeduthun = "praising"
a Levite of the family of Merari and the chief of one of the 3 choirs of the temple whose descendants also formed one of the perpetual temple choirs; he is named at the beginning of 3 Psalms (Ps 39:1; 62:1; 77: either as the composer or the recipient of those Psalms but most likely as the leader of the choir by which those Psalms were to be sung
Jeduthun, also known as Ethan, was a Levitical musician and singer during the reign of King David.
The biblical story
Jeduthun, also referred to as Ethan, was a prominent Levitical musician and singer during the reign of King David. He is mentioned numerous times in 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, as well as in the titles of several psalms. Jeduthun was one of the three principal musicians appointed by David to lead the music and singing in the tabernacle, alongside Asaph and Heman (1Ch.16.41-42; 25.1, 6). He and his sons were skilled in playing the harp, lyre, and cymbals (1Ch.16.42; 25.3). Jeduthun's descendants continued to serve as musicians in the temple during the reigns of subsequent kings, such as Solomon (2Ch.5.12) and Hezekiah (2Ch.29.14; 35.15). Three psalms (Psalms 39, 62, and 77) are attributed to Jeduthun, indicating his role in composing or leading the music for these hymns. In 1Ch.6.44 and 1Ch.15.17, 19, he is referred to as Ethan, suggesting that this was either an alternate name or a title. Jeduthun's significant role in the musical worship of ancient Israel highlights the importance of music and singing in the religious life of the nation.
Key verses
Jeduthun appears in 15 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
1 Chronicles 6:44 -
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
1 Chronicles 15:17 -
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
1 Chronicles 15:19 -
And Obed–edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed–edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
1 Chronicles 16:38 -
And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever;
1 Chronicles 16:41
Show all 15 references
1 Chronicles (9)
- 1 Chronicles 6:44
- 1 Chronicles 15:17
- 1 Chronicles 15:19
- 1 Chronicles 16:38
- 1 Chronicles 16:41
- 1 Chronicles 16:42
- 1 Chronicles 25:1
- 1 Chronicles 25:3
- 1 Chronicles 25:6
2 Chronicles (3)
- 2 Chronicles 5:12
- 2 Chronicles 29:14
- 2 Chronicles 35:15
Psalms (3)
- Psalms 39:1
- Psalms 62:1
- Psalms 77:1