Ethan

How Nave’s arranged it

• 1. A renowned sage1 Kings 4:31
• See titlePsalms 89
• 2. Son of Zerak1 Chronicles 2:61 Chronicles 2:8
• Two Levites1 Chronicles 6:421 Chronicles 6:441 Chronicles 15:171 Chronicles 15:19

The passages, in Bible order (8)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 8 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. 1 Kings 4:31

   He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 4:312 voices

   “Heman-- (1Ch 15:17-19) --the chief of the temple musicians and the king's seers (1Ch 25:5); the other two are not known. the sons of Mahol--either another name for Zerah (1Ch 2:6); or taking it as a common noun, signifying a dance, a chorus, "the sons of Mahol" signify persons eminently skilled in poetry and music.

   “[Greek philosophers] took these ideas from Solomon, since it was long before them in age and time that he first gave these teachings through the Spirit of God. The Greeks have brought them forth as their own discoveries, and they have also included them in their books of instructions and left them to be handed down to their successors.

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 4:31→

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2. 1 Chronicles 2:6

   The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five in all.

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:62 voices

   “Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara--These five are here stated to be the sons of Zerah, that is, of Ezra, whence they were called Ezrahites (1Ki 4:31). In that passage they are called "the sons of Mahol," which, however, is to be taken not as a proper name, but appellatively for "sons of music, dancing," &c.

   “And the sons of Zerah,.... The other twin of Judah: Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all; the Targum calls them governors, and adds, on whom the spirit of prophecy dwelt; and in the Jewish chronology (n) they are said to prophesy in Egypt; and the four last are supposed to be the same with those in 1Ki 4:31. See Gill on 1Ki 4:31. (n) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 20. p. 52.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 2:6→

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3. 1 Chronicles 2:8

   The son of Ethan: Azariah.

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:81 voice

   “And the sons of Ethan; Azariah. Including his posterity, see Gen 46:23, the posterity of the other three sons of Zerah are not mentioned, either because the writer could not find the genealogy of them, as Kimchi; or rather, as he thinks, he cuts short the genealogy of Zerah, because the kingdom did not proceed from him, and returns to the genealogy of Hezron, from whence it did, or perhaps they had no children.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 2:8→

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4. 1 Chronicles 6:42

   the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:421 voice

   “Gershom, &c.--This repetition (see 1Ch 6:1) is made, as the historian here begins to trace the genealogy of the Levitical families who were not priests. The list is a long one, comprising the chiefs or heads of their several families until David's reign, who made a new and different classification of them by courses.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 6:42→

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5. 1 Chronicles 6:44

   On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari:

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:442 voices

   “And their brethren, the sons of Merari,.... Who were the brethren of the Kohathites and Gershonites, descending from the same ancestor Levi: stood on the left hand; that is, of Heman, see 1Ch 6:39, the chief of whom was Ethan, sometimes called Jeduthun, 1Ch 16:41 and often in the book of Psalms; his genealogy is traced up to Levi thus; Kishi, called Kushaiah, 1Ch 15:17 Abdi, Malluch, Hashabiah, Amaziah, Hilkiah, Amzi, Bani, Shamer, Mahli, Mushi, Merari, Levi.

   “Gershom, &c.--This repetition (see 1Ch 6:1) is made, as the historian here begins to trace the genealogy of the Levitical families who were not priests. The list is a long one, comprising the chiefs or heads of their several families until David's reign, who made a new and different classification of them by courses.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 6:44→

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6. 1 Chronicles 15:17

   So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 15:172 voices

   “So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel,.... The grandson of Samuel the prophet, 1Ch 6:33. and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; a famous singer, often mentioned in the Psalms, 1Ch 6:39. and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; the same with the son of Kishi, 1Ch 6:44, these were the chief of the singers.

   “David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint . . . the singers with instruments--These eminent Levites were instructed to train the musicians and singers who were under them, for the solemn procession. The performers were ranged in three choirs or bands, and the names of the principal leaders are given (1Ch 15:17, 18, 21), with the instruments respectively used by each.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 15:17→

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7. 1 Chronicles 15:19

   The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 15:192 voices

   “So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan,.... The three principal of them: these were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass; for as there were three sorts of musical instruments, 1Ch 15:16 these three chief singers had one of those instruments appropriated to them, one of which were the cymbals of brass, to which the apostle alludes, 1Co 13:1.

   “David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint . . . the singers with instruments--These eminent Levites were instructed to train the musicians and singers who were under them, for the solemn procession. The performers were ranged in three choirs or bands, and the names of the principal leaders are given (1Ch 15:17, 18, 21), with the instruments respectively used by each.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 15:19→

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8. Psalms 89:1

   I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.

   ›Commentary on Psalms 89:12 voices

   “The eighty-eighth psalm is prefaced with this title: The Understanding of Ethan the Ezrahite. Wherever "understanding" is placed first, what follows is mystical and obscure. Ethan is interpreted as "strong," or "robust"; and Ezrahite as "one helped," or "one who has obtained help." I say this because we are dealing with the literal history. Rightly, therefore, is "understanding" placed first, so that this strong or robust man may obtain help from the Lord, and may be able to recognize the things that follow. But the Ezrahite either took his name from a place, or was of the tribe of Merari.

   “. Ver. 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever. A devout resolve, and very commendable when a man is exercised with great trouble on account of an apparent departure of the Lord from his covenant and promise. Whatever we may observe abroad or experience in our own persons, we ought still to praise God for his mercies, since they most certainly remain the same, whether we can perceive them or not. Sense sings but now and then, but faith is an eternal songster.

   Everything gathered on Psalms 89:1→

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