Asaph

Asaph, a Levite, was the son of Berachiah the Gershonite (2 Chr. 20:14). Asaph sounded symbols before the Ark of the Covenant when it was moved from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 15:16-19). Asaph's family became one of the three families given responsibility for music and song in the Temple (1 Chr. 25:1-9).

Following the captivity, 128 singers from this family returned from Babylon and conducted the singing when the foundations of Zerubbabel's Temple were laid (Ezra 2:41; 3:10). Twelve Psalms (Psalms 50; 73-83) are attributed to the family of Asaph. The name Asaph means "God has gathered."

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