Who was ethan in the bible

Question

Who was ethan in the bible

Answer

Ethan the Ezrahite is the songwriter-author of Psalm 89. The title of that psalm says it is “a maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.” In addition to Psalm 89, Ethan the Ezrahite is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as a wise man, yet not as wise as King Solomon, who “was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite.” First Chronicles 2:6 gives the added information that Ethan had four brothers and was the son of Zerah (called Mahol in 1 Kings 4:31). He was of the tribe of Levi.

First Chronicles 15:17 mentions an Ethan who was involved with bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Since he is called “Ethan the son of Kushaiah,” he is probably a different person from the author of Psalm 89. However, 1 Chronicles 15:19 adds that the son of Kushaiah was a musician, one of the men to sound the bronze cymbals, and this had led some scholars to assume a link between the two Ethans. If they are the same person, then Ethan the Ezrahite is probably also known as Jeduthun (1 Chronicles 16:38–42 and the titles of Psalms 62 and 77).

Another way to learn about Ethan the Ezrahite is through his psalm. Verse 1 opens, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; / with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Ethan emphasizes praise to God for His covenant with David (verses 1–4) and honors God’s character and power (verses 5–18). In verses 19–37, recording God’s own words in a vision, Ethan details God’s faithfulness to David and his descendants. Then Ethan expresses lament at the king’s defeat (verses 38–45) and asks God to remember the covenant (verses 46–52).

Ethan concludes, “Praise be to the Lord forever! / Amen and Amen” (verse 52). Even in times of suffering and struggle, this psalmist calls God’s people to bless the Lord and call upon His strength in time of need.

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Questions about Psalms

Who was Ethan the Ezrahite in the Psalms?

Ethan [N] [H] [S]

firm.

  • "The Ezrahite," distinguished for his wisdom ( 1 Kings 4:31 ). He is named as the author of the 89th Psalm. He was of the tribe of Levi.

  • A Levite of the family of Merari, one of the leaders of the temple music ( 1 Chronicles 6:44 ; 1 Chronicles 15:17 1 Chronicles 15:19 ). He was probably the same as Jeduthun. He is supposed by some to be the same also as (1).

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.


    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary

    Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. "Entry for Ethan". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .
  • Ethan [N] [E] [S]
    strong; the gift of the island
    Hitchcock's Dictionary of Bible Names. Public Domain. Copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary

    Bibliography InformationHitchcock, Roswell D. "Entry for 'Ethan'". "An Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names". . New York, N.Y., 1869.

    Ethan [N] [E] [H]

    (enduring ).

    1. Ethan the Ezrahite, one of the four sons of Mahol, whose wisdom was excelled by Solomon. ( 1 Kings 4:31 ; 1 Chronicles 2:6 ) His name is in the title of ( Psalms 89:1 )
    2. Son of Kishi or Kushaiah; a Merarite Levite, head of that family in the time of King David, ( 1 Chronicles 6:44 ) and spoken of as a "singer." With Heman and Asaph, the heads of the other two families of Levites, Ethan was appointed to sound with cymbals. ( 1 Chronicles 15:17 1 Chronicles 15:19 )
    3. A Gershonite Levite, one of the ancestors of Asaph the singer. ( 1 Chronicles 6:42 ) Hebr 27. (B.C. 1420.)


    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names

    Bibliography InformationSmith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Ethan'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

    ETHAN

    e'-than ('ethan, "firm," "enduring"; Gaithan):

    (1) A wise man with whom Solomon is compared (1 Kings 4:31). Called there "Ethan the Ezrahite," to whom the title of Psalms 89 ascribes the authorship of that poem.

    (2) A "son of Kishi," or "Kishaiah," of the Merari branch of the Levites, and, along with Heman and Asaph, placed by David over the service of song (1 Chronicles 6:44; 15:17,19).

    See JEDUTHUN.

    (3) An ancestor of Asaph of the Gershomite branch of the Levites (1 Chronicles 6:42).

    What is Ethan Hebrew?

    Ethan is a male given name of Hebrew origin (איתן‎) that means "firm, enduring, strong and long-lived".

    Who was Ethan that wrote Psalm 89?

    Analysis. The superscription of the psalm states that it was written by Ethan the Ezrahite, who, along with Heman the Ezrahite (to whom Psalm 88 is attributed), was a wise man from the time of, or prior to, King Solomon.

    Who was the first Ethan?

    The most notable, and perhaps the earliest Ethan, is mentioned in the Bible several times. He's thought to have authored a passage of the Bible (Psalm 89) and was known for his great wisdom. Some also hypothesize that Ethan was a musician in King David's court.

    Who is the author of Psalm 88?

    Heman the Ezrahite (Hebrew: הֵימָן הָאֶזְרָחִי‎ Hēmān hā'Ezrāḥī) is the author of Psalm 88 in the Hebrew Bible, according to the Psalm's colophon. B.