1 Chronicles 15:19

(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.

(19-21) The minstrels named in 1Ch_15:17-18, classified according to their instruments.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15:19-22 The second list of Levitical musicians focused on their musical specialties rather than their rank.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

19. to sound] R.V. to sound aloud.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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, Ch1 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, Co1 13:1.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 19-21. The psalteries on Alamoth (ver. 20), and harps on the Sheminith to excel (ver. 21), are descriptions the exact significance of which is not yet satisfactorily ascertained. Yet their connection in a series of four divisions of musical duty does throw some light upon them. These four verses manifestly purport to describe a special part to be performed by those of whom they respectively speak. Gesenius explains psalteries on Alamoth to mean such instruments as savoured of virgin tone or pitch, i.e. high as compared with the lower pitch of men"s voices. This lower pitch he considers intimated by the word "Sheminith," literally, the eighth, or octave. The added expression, "to excel," need scarcely be, with him, understood to mean "to take the lead musically," but may be read generally to mark their supassing quality.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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, Ch1 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, Co1 13:1.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Connecting Statement:

This continues the list of men whom the Levites appointed to sing and play music as the people brought the ark to Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed

This can be stated in active form. AT: "The Levites appointed the musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan" (See: Active or Passive)

cymbals

two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound. See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 13:8. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Alamoth ... Sheminith

The meaning of these words is not clear but may refer to a style of music. (See: Translate Unknowns)

led the way

"led the other musicians" or "led the processional"

translationWords

bronze

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And the singers: Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, etc. To make a resounding voice, they were appointed over those musical instruments.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.