1 Chronicles 25:4

(4) Of Heman.—Rather, To Reman: the sons of Heman were, &c. Fourteen names of Hemanite leaders are given. Curiously enough, the last six, excluding the peculiar “Joshbekashah,” form, as they stand, a complete poetical couplet, which may be rendered:

“God has come; I have exalted and extolled the help;

I have spoken abundance of visions.”

Such words are very suitable in the mouth of a seer, as Heman is called in the next verse, but the arrangement of the names in this order is perhaps only a mnemonic device

Uzziel.—Power of God (Exo_6:18); called “Azareel” in 1Ch_25:18 ( God hath helped, 1Ch_12:6). The words differ in Hebrew by one letter only. The Syriac has “Uzziel” (Azael) in both places. But the difference appears in the LXX. and Vulg.

Shebuel.—In 1Ch_25:20, “Shubael,” which the LXX. reads in both places. The Syriac and Vulg. keep the distinction. (Comp. 1Ch_24:20.)

Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer.—That is, perhaps, Giddalti-ezer and Romamti-ezer. But in 1Ch_25:29 “Giddalti” occurs again without any such addition, and the name as it stands may be compared with “Mallothi.” The two verbs, giddaltî and romamtî, occur together in Isa_1:2 : “1 have nourished and brought up.”

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

4. Heman] See 1Ch_15:17, note.

Uzziel] In 1Ch_25:18 “Azarel.” (R.V.) The variation between the two words when written with Hebrew consonants is small. Cp. note on 2Ch_26:1 (“Uzziah” and “Azariah”).

Shebuel] In 1Ch_25:20 “Shubael.”

Jerimoth] In 1Ch_25:22 “Jeremoth.”

Hananiah, Hanani] Most Hebrew names are significant, and many can be used as mottoes. In this place the Chronicler (or the authority from whom he drew the list) has so arranged the names as to suggest a sentence (extending to the end of the verse) which runs somewhat as follows:—Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have mercy upon me; I have magnified and exalted [thy] help; I spake of it sitting in affliction; grant us still [thy] visions.

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.

Of Heman: the sons of Heman,.... The third chief singer:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel; the same with Azareel, Ch1 25:18.

Shebuel; called Shubael, Ch1 25:20.

and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth; in all fourteen, to whom came the sixth, ninth, eleventh, fifteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth, twentieth, twenty second, twenty fourth, seventeenth, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty third lots, Ch1 25:13.

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

The two names Uzziel and Shebuel, in this verse, reappear respectively in vers. 18, 20, as Azareel and Shubael. It is remarkable that the ninth and tenth names of this list, with the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth, when put together, run into two lines of verse, which may be translated, "These bestowed great and high help; I have abundantly uttered oracles." Ewald suggests that these may be the commencing lines of some ancient prophet"s oracles (Ewald, "Lehrbueh der H. Spr.," 274, S. 672, 7th edit., cited by Keil).

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

Of Heman: the sons of Heman,.... The third chief singer:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel; the same with Azareel, Ch1 25:18.

Shebuel; called Shubael, Ch1 25:20.

and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth; in all fourteen, to whom came the sixth, ninth, eleventh, fifteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth, twentieth, twenty second, twenty fourth, seventeenth, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty third lots, Ch1 25:13.

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.)

General Information:

This continues the list of leaders of the tabernacle work which was started in 1 Chronicles 25:2.

Bukkiah ... Mahazioth

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Heman

See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 16:41. (See: How to Translate Names)

fourteen sons and three daughters

"14 sons and 3 daughters" (See: Numbers)

to lift up his horn

An animal horn is a symbol of strength or authority. To lift up someone's horn is a metaphor for honoring him. AT: "to honor Heman" (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

God

horn

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 Romamti Ezer This is one name.

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.