Lexical Definition

‎אָסָף‎ ʼÂçâph (aw-sawf') Asaph ^N:N-M-P
from ‎אָסַף‎; collector

Asaph.

• § Asaph = "gatherer"
• Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first

1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary
2) a son of Berechiah, chief Levite musician under David
3) a Persian officer over the royal forest

Extended Information

• A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.18.18
• father of: Joah (יוֹאָח)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אָסָף‎ proper name, masculine (gatherer, compare Phoenician proper name, feminine ‎אספת‎)

1. father of ‎יוֺאָח‎ the recorder 2Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 18:37 = Isa 36:3; Isa 36:22.

2. one of David's chief musicians, a Levite, son of Berechiah 1Chr 6:24* (twice in verse) (|| ‎הֵימָן‎ v.1Chr 6:18*, ‎אֵיתָן‎ v.1Chr 6:29* see these names); 1Chr 15:17 (|| Heman & Ethan, all called) ‎הַמְּשֹׁרֲרִים‎ v1Chr 15:19 see also 1Chr 16:5 (twice in verse); 1Chr 16:7 compare v1Chr 16:37 (|| Heman & Jeduthun v1Chr 16:41 v1Chr 16:42); 1Chr 25:9, named with Heman & Jeduthun also 1Chr 25:6; 2Chr 5:12; 2Chr 35:15; Ps 50:1; Ps 73:1-83:18 are ascribed to Asaph; compare also ‎בִּימֵי דָוִיד וְאָסָף‎ Neh 12:46 he is called also ‎הַחֹזֶה‎ 2Chr 29:30, compare ‎אָסָף הַנִּבָּא עַליְֿדֵיהַמֶּלֶךְ‎ 1Chr 25:2 repeated mention is made also of sons of Asaph ‎בְּנֵיאָֿסָף‎, sons, descendants, and pupils, or those who sang and played after his manner 1Chr 25:1 (|| Heman & Jeduthun) v1Chr 25:2 v1Chr 25:2 called ‎הַמְּשֹׁרֲרִים‎ 2Chr 35:15; Ezra 2:41; Neh 7:44; Neh 11:22, compare Ezra 3:10 performing service of purification, Hezekiah's time 2Chr 29:13 one of them prophesying 2Chr 20:14 — 1Chr 26:1 for ‎בְּנֵי אָסָף‎ read ‎בְּנֵי אֶבְיָסָף‎, compare 1Chr 9:19 on ‎זִכְרִי‎ 1Chr 9:15, ‎זַבְדִּי‎ Neh 11:17, ‎זַכּוּר‎Neh 12:35, called ‎בֶּןאָֿסָף‎, see these names.

3. keeper of king's park Neh 2:8.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • Father of Joah • Recorder during King Hezekiah's reign

Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Asaph served as the recorder during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (2 Kings 18:18, 37; Isa 36:3, 22).

• A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.18.18;
• only referred to as Asaph אָסָף;
• father of Joah יוֹאָח.

Asaph was an official who served as the recorder during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. When the Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah sent a delegation, including Asaph, to meet with the Assyrian officials. The Assyrian representative, the Rabshakeh, delivered a threatening message, urging the people of Jerusalem to surrender. Asaph, along with the other officials, tore their clothes in distress and reported the message to Hezekiah. As the recorder, Asaph likely had responsibilities related to official records and correspondence in the royal court.

All entries for Asaph: אָסָף

Related Profiles:

• Joah (child)