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
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| אָסָף֩ | Asaph | Neh.2.8 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.2.8
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
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Kings | 18:18 · 18:37 |
| 1 Chronicles | 6:18* · 6:24* · 6:29* · 9:15 · 9:19 · 15:17 · 15:19 · 16:5 · 16:7 · 16:37 · 16:41 · 16:42 · 25:1 · 25:2 · 25:6 · 25:9 · 26:1 |
| 2 Chronicles | 5:12 · 20:14 · 29:13 · 29:30 · 35:15 |
| Ezra | 2:41 · 3:10 |
| Nehemiah | 2:8 · 7:44 · 11:17 · 11:22 · 12:35 · 12:46 |
| Psalms | 50:1 |
| Isaiah | 36:3 · 36:22 |
Profile
Male • Returned leader • Keeper of the king's forest during Nehemiah's time
Man living at the time of Exile and Return
Asaph was the keeper of the king's forest during Nehemiah's time (Neh 2:8).
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.2.8;
- only referred to as Asaph אָסָף.
Asaph is mentioned in the book of Nehemiah as the keeper of the king's forest. When Nehemiah requested permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, he also asked for letters to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, to obtain timber for the construction. As the keeper of the king's forest, Asaph was likely responsible for managing and protecting the royal forest lands and overseeing the distribution of timber resources. His cooperation was essential for Nehemiah to secure the necessary materials for the rebuilding project in Jerusalem.
All entries for Asaph: אָסָף