Fausset Bible Dictionary: Ethan

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Fausset Bible Dictionary: Ethan


Subjects in this Topic:

1. The Ezrahite, one of Mahol's (but Zerah's, of Judah, in Darda; these Levites being associated with the house of Zerah of Judah by residence or citizenship, compare ; ) four sons, whose wisdom Solomon's surpassed (); title of . (See DARDA.)

2. Son of Kishi or Kushaiah; head of the Merarite Levites in David's time; a "singer" (-44); with Heman and Asaph, the heads of the other two Levite families, Ethan was to sound with cymbals (; ). The three names are given in -41; ; , Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. "Heman the Ezrahite" (i.e. of the house of Zerah) also appears in the title of Psalm 88, of which Psalm 89, is the complement. Thus it is probable that Jeduthun is another form of Ethan, and that "Ethan the Ezrahite" is the same as "Ethan the singer," though we can only guess as to why he is differently designated in different places. (See MAHOL.)