1 Chronicles 6:39

Authorized King James Version

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And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

Original Language Analysis

וְאָחִ֣יו And his brother H251
וְאָחִ֣יו And his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 1 of 10
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אָסָ֥ף Asaph H623
אָסָ֥ף Asaph
Strong's: H623
Word #: 2 of 10
asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first
הָֽעֹמֵ֖ד who stood H5975
הָֽעֹמֵ֖ד who stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 3 of 10
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְמִינ֑וֹ on his right hand H3225
יְמִינ֑וֹ on his right hand
Strong's: H3225
Word #: 5 of 10
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
אָסָ֥ף Asaph H623
אָסָ֥ף Asaph
Strong's: H623
Word #: 6 of 10
asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 7 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּֽרֶכְיָ֖הוּ of Berachiah H1296
בֶּֽרֶכְיָ֖הוּ of Berachiah
Strong's: H1296
Word #: 8 of 10
berekjah, the name of six israelites
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שִׁמְעָֽא׃ of Shimea H8092
שִׁמְעָֽא׃ of Shimea
Strong's: H8092
Word #: 10 of 10
shima, the name of four israelites

Analysis & Commentary

And his brother Asaph—this introduces Asaph (אָסָף 'gatherer' or 'collector'), one of David's three chief musicians and author of 12 canonical Psalms (50, 73-83). The term brother (אָח) indicates fellow Levite, not biological sibling. Asaph stood on his right hand (הָעֹמֵד עַל־יְמִינוֹ)—the position of honor—alongside Heman the Kohathite during temple worship, with Ethan/Jeduthun the Merarite on the left (v. 44).

Asaph's genealogy traces through Berachiah (בְּרֶכְיָהוּ 'Yahweh blesses') and Shimea (שִׁמְעָא 'something heard'), names emphasizing blessing and proclamation—perfect for a worship leader whose Psalms would be 'heard' and 'bless' Israel for millennia. Asaph's prophetic gift (2 Chronicles 29:30 calls his words 'prophecy') made him not merely a musician but a Spirit-anointed messenger through song.

The tri-clan representation (Kohath-Heman, Gershon-Asaph, Merari-Ethan) in temple music demonstrated that all Levitical branches equally participate in praise, breaking down clan rivalry. This anticipates the New Testament truth that all believers—regardless of tribe or nation—are priests offering spiritual sacrifices of praise (1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 13:15).

Historical Context

David appointed Asaph around 1000 BC as chief musician when the ark was brought to Jerusalem. Asaph's descendants maintained this role through the First Temple era (970-586 BC), during Hezekiah's reforms (2 Chronicles 29:30), and returned from exile (Ezra 2:41). The Chronicler highlights Asaph to encourage post-exilic worship renewal, showing that authentic praise requires both Spirit-empowered gifting and legitimate genealogical standing.

Questions for Reflection