I Chronicles 6:39-43 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 6:39-43 Commentary: Asaph at Heman's Right Hand
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the significance of Asaph being placed on Heman's right hand in the temple singing order, rooted in Levitical genealogies.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Asaph, a Levite of Gershom’s line, held the honored position at Heman’s right hand in David’s temple choir.
- Key words: “His brother” (kinsman/fellow Levite), “stood on his right hand” (position of honor and support).
- Main debate: Whether the explicit organization of musicians implies that instrumental music is required in worship. (Clarke argued against instruments; most modern readers accept them as part of the historical pattern.)
- Theological theme: Worship is ordered by God and entrusted to appointed leaders who continue a faithful tradition.
- Best use: Teaching that authority and hierarchy in worship are biblical, and that every participant’s lineage and role matter.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
39Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand:
40Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,
41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
WEB World English Bible 2000
39His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
40the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,
41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
KJV King James Version 1769
39And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
40The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
41The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
39And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
40the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,
41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
39And his brother Asaph, who is standing on his right--Asaph, son of Berachiah, son of Shimea,
40son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchiah,
41son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah,
42son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei,
43son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
39And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand: Asaph, the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
40the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,
41the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
39And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, Asaph the son of Barachias, the son of Samaa.
40The son of Michael, the son of Basaia, the, son of Melchia.
41The son of Athanai, the son of Zara, the son of Adaia.
42The son of Ethan, the son of Zamma, the son of Semei.
43The son of Jeth, the son of Gerson, the son of Levi.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Asaph is presented as a chief singer and close associate of Heman, positioned on his right hand to indicate honor and seniority. Gill notes that Heman stood in the middle, the most honourable position, with Asaph on his right and Ethan on his left. The Cambridge Bible calls Asaph “his brother” in the sense of a kinsman and colleague. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown adds that they were brothers by descent from Levi and by office as Levitical musicians. The genealogy traced back to Levi establishes the legitimate, God-ordained line of worship leaders. There is no dispute that this passage reflects the careful, structured organization of temple singers under David's direction.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Asaph was a Levite and chief singer placed at Heman's right hand, part of the ordered worship established under David.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Asaph's relationship to Heman | Asaph is a fellow Levite and chief musician, placed at Heman's right hand as second in the singing order. | Some read 'his brother' literally; others take it to mean 'fellow Levite.' No major doctrinal divide. |
| Significance of the right-hand position | It indicates a position of honor and close association with the leader. | A few have debated whether this implies subordination or co-leadership. Most see it as a secondary but vital role. |
| Musical instruments in worship | The biblical text describes the use of cymbals, harps, and lyres in temple worship (e.g., 1 Chr 15:19, 16:5). | Some Christians, following voices like Adam Clarke, argue that instruments were a temporary concession not to be used after Christ. Others hold that instruments are a fitting part of praise in any era. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage belongs to 1 Chronicles 6, a lengthy register of the tribe of Levi. Chapters 5-6 list priestly and Levitical lines, giving special attention to those David placed over the service of song (v31-32). After the ark came to rest in Jerusalem, David assigned Heman, Asaph and Ethan as the three chief musicians (1 Chronicles 15:17, 19). They served at the tabernacle until Solomon built the temple.
Asaph’s genealogy here connects him to Gershom, Levi’s firstborn. Heman traced through Kohath, Ethan through Merari; the three families of Levi each provided a leader. Positioning Asaph on Heman’s right hand established a clear hierarchy. The right hand was a place of favor and authority in ancient Near Eastern culture, comparable to a deputy or second-in-command.
Not every name in the list appears elsewhere; some may be omitted or condensed. The point is pedigree, not biography. By anchoring the singing office to Levi, the Chronicler shows that Israel’s musical worship was not a human invention but continued the priestly and Levitical tradition ordained at Sinai.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and translations show minor variations in the spelling of names (Berachiah vs. Berechiah, Malchiah vs. Malchijah). These are scribal variants common in genealogical lists. No significant textual variant affects the meaning of the passage. The basic identification of Asaph as a Gershonite Levite and singer at Heman’s right hand is secure.
Reception History
This passage has been cited in discussions of the liturgical ordering of worship. Early and medieval Christian authors saw the threefold arrangement of Heman, Asaph, and Ethan as a prefiguration of the Church’s threefold order of ministers. Reformation-era writers, especially those emphasizing the regulative principle of worship, used this genealogy to argue that worship must be conducted by clearly authorized persons. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Asaph is celebrated as a prophet and psalmist, and his placement at the right hand is seen as a model of hierarchical ministry. Modern scholarship focuses on the genealogical method of the Chronicler, noting how the list connects the post-exilic community to its temple roots.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Worship requires order. God appointed Heman, Asaph and Ethan to specific positions. Not everyone leads from the same spot. Structure enables unified praise.
- Faithfulness passes through generations. Asaph’s line is traced all the way to Levi. The gift of worship is a legacy entrusted to families and communities.
- Every role matters. Asaph stood on the right hand, not the middle. Yet he is named and his lineage recorded. Significance comes from serving in the place God assigns.
Five-point outline
- The Chronicler highlights Levitical singers as part of David’s worship reform.
- Asaph’s position at the right hand shows a deliberate hierarchy under Heman.
- The genealogy verifies that these men belonged to the priestly tribe, not self-appointed.
- This orderly arrangement prefigures the unity and diversity of worship in the church.
- The placement on the right hand points to honor and close cooperation, not competition.
Illustration hooks
- How a choir director positions singers to balance sound and leadership.
- The way a church bulletin lists order of service, showing that each element has its place.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible include long genealogies? They seem boring.
- Is it okay to have formal roles in worship? Doesn’t that quench the Spirit?
- Does this passage support using musical instruments in church? (Some traditions say yes, others hold different views.)
Leading a Discussion
This passage looks like a dry list of names, but it reveals that God values order in worship. The Chronicler shows that the temple musicians were not volunteers who showed up; they were Levites with a proven heritage. As you discuss these verses, notice how the careful listing of Asaph’s ancestors validates his role and authority.
Discussion questions
- What do we learn about Asaph from this genealogy? Why is his ancestry important?
- The right hand is a position of honor. What does Asaph’s placement tell us about his relationship with Heman?
- Read 1 Chronicles 25:1-2. What does it mean that the sons of Asaph “prophesied” with music? How does that expand our understanding of worship?
- Why do you think the Chronicler included these details about the singers alongside genealogies of priests?
- In your church, how are worship leaders chosen? Does the Bible give any pattern?
- What can we learn from the fact that three families (Kohath, Gershom, Merari) each had a representative leading worship?
- How does this passage shape your view of excellence and order in congregational singing?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Chronicles 15:17 | So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; |
| I Chronicles 15:19 | So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of bronze to sound aloud; |
| I Chronicles 16:7 | Then on that day David first ordained giving of thanks to Yahweh by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. |
| I Chronicles 25:2 | of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. The sons of Asaph were under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied at the order of the king. |
| I Chronicles 26:1 | For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. |
| II Chronicles 5:12 | also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets); |
| II Chronicles 20:14 | Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly; |
| II Chronicles 29:13 | and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
4 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that neither singers nor musical instruments (except the silver trumpets) were specifically appointed by God for worship. He considers instruments in Christian worship repugnant to the Gospel's spirit, and condemns using music to attract crowds as doing evil for good.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that Asaph, David's appointed singer, traced his descent from Levi through Gershom. It clarifies that the phrase "his brother" in this context means "his kinsman," correcting a possible literal reading of the genealogical relationship.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that Heman held the most honored position in the middle, with Asaph stationed at his right hand and Ethan at his left. He then traces Asaph's lineage back through the generations to Levi, showing his place among the chief singers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that David established a permanent, orderly group of singers for worship after the ark found rest, and their genealogies are recorded to show God's attention to every detail of worship. The musicians served faithfully through the tabernacle and into the temple era, while the priests handled the altar and atonement.