Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 15:19
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, [were appointed] to sound with cymbals of brass;
19. to sound ] R.V. to sound aloud.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
These singers formed three choirs, according to the instruments they played. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan played brazen cymbals (1Ch 15:19); Benaiah and the seven who follow played nablia ( psalteria ) (1Ch 15:20); while the last six played lutes (harps) (1Ch 15:21). These three Hebrew words plainly denote different keys in singing, but are, owing to our small acquaintance with the music of the Hebrews, obscure, and cannot be interpreted with certainty. , going over from the fundamental signification glitter, shine, into the idea of outshining and superior capacity, overwhelming ability, might also, as a musical term, denote the conducting of the playing and singing as well as the leading of them. The signification to direct is here, however, excluded by the context, for the conductors were without doubt the three chief musicians or bandmasters ( Capellenmeister ), Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, with the cymbals, not the psaltery and lute players belonging to the second rank. The conducting must therefore be expressed by , and this word must mean “in order to give a clear tone,” i.e., to regulate the tune and the tone of the singing, while signifies “to take the lead in playing;” cf. Del. on Psa 4:1. This word, moreover, is probably not to be restricted to the singers with the lutes, the third choir, but must be held to refer also to the second choir. The meaning then will be, that Heman, Asaph, and Ethan had cymbals to direct the song, while the other singers had partly psalteries, partly lutes, in order to play the accompaniment to the singing. The song of these two choirs is moreover distinguished and defined by and . These words specify the kind of voices; after the manner of virgins, i.e., in the soprano; , after the octave, i.e., in bass – al ottava bassa . See Del. on Psa 6:1; Psa 46:1. In 1Ch 15:22-24 the still remaining priests who were engaged in the solemn procession are enumerated.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(19) The cymbal-players.
Were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass.Rather, with cymbals of bronze for clashing. Furnished with these instruments, the three chiefs were to lead and accentuate the music.
1Ch. 15:19-25 give the order of the procession thus:
I. The three master-singers, and two bands of seven each (1Ch. 15:19-21).
II. Chenaniah, marshal of the bearers.
III. Two warders of the Ark.
IV. Seven priests, with trumpets.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(19-21) The minstrels named in 1Ch. 15:17-18, classified according to their instruments.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19-21. The singers were divided into three choirs, or companies: 1.) The three chiefs, who used cymbals of brass; 2.) Eight others played with psalteries on Alamoth; 3.) Six others played with harps on the Sheminith to excel. The words on Alamoth, and on the Sheminith, are of doubtful meaning. Some understand them as the names of musical instruments; others as the names of different tunes, or of different melodies. Alamoth means virgins, and Sheminith means the eighth, hence Keil explains on Alamoth, “after the manner of virgins, that is, in the soprano;” and on the Sheminith. “after the octave, that is, in bass.” Our acquaintance with the music of the ancient Hebrews is too limited to decide the meaning of these and kindred terms. These and similar words occur at the beginning of many of the psalms.
To excel Rather, to lead; to take the lead in the music.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 16:5, 1Ch 16:42, 1Ch 25:1, 1Ch 25:6, Psa 150:5
Reciprocal: 1Sa 10:5 – a psaltery 1Ki 4:31 – Ethan 1Ch 2:6 – Ethan 1Ch 6:33 – Heman 1Ch 15:17 – Ethan 1Ch 25:4 – Heman 2Ch 29:14 – Heman