(1) A musician and seer, a Levite, son of Joel and grandson of the prophet Samuel; of the family of the Kohathites (1 Chronicles 6:33), appointed by David as one of the leaders of the temple-singing (1 Chronicles 15:17; 2 Chronicles 5:12). He had 14 sons (and 3 daughters) who assisted their father in the chorus. Heman seems also to have been a man of spiritual power; is called "the king's seer in matters of God" (1 Chronicles 25:5; 2 Chronicles 35:15).

(2) One of the noted wise men prior to, or about, the time of Solomon. He was one of the three sons of Mahol (1 Kings 4:31 (Hebrews 5:11)); also called a son of Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:6).

Psalms 88 is inscribed to Heman the Ezrahite, who is probably to be identified with the second son of Zerah.

Edward Babgy Pollard

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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