Lexical Definition
הֵימָן Hêymân (hay-mawn') Heman N:N-M-P
probably from אָמַן; faithful
Heman.
- § Heman = "faithful"
- Heman, the name of at least two Israelites
1) a wise man to whom Solomon was compared
2) son of Joel, grandson of Samuel, and a Levitical singer and author of PS 88
3) a seer
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.4.31
- son of: Mahol (מָחוֹל)
- brother of: Ethan (אֵיתָן), Calcol (כַּלְכֹּל) and Darda (דַּרְדַּע)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
הֵימָן proper name, masculine Heman (faithful, compare Aramaic מְהֵימָן, 
) a wise man with whom Solomon is compared 1Kgs 5:11*, where app. son of Mahol (Klo sons of the dance); named with 3 others, one being Ethan the Ezrahite; 1Chr 2:6 a Heman is named with same 3+1 other, & all called sons of Zerah of Judah; Heman appears Ps 88:1* also as the Ezrahite (see below זרח), compare Ethan above; in other passages Heman is a Levite; specifically Kohathite, son of Joel, called the singer (הַמְשׁוֺרֵר) 1Chr 6:18* (|| Asaph v.1Chr 6:24*, Ethan v.1Chr 6:29*); Heman, Asaph & Ethan named as the singers (הַמְשֹׁרְרִים) 1Chr 15:17; 1Chr 15:19 compare Heman & Jeduthun 1Chr 16:41; 1Chr 16:42 (|| Asaph v1Chr 16:37); Heman, Asaph & Jeduthun 1Chr 25:6; 2Chr 5:12; 2Chr 35:15 elsewhere בְּנֵי אָ סָף וְהֵימָן וִידוּתוּן 1Chr 25:1 compare v1Chr 25:4 v1Chr 25:4 v1Chr 25:5 v1Chr 25:5 בְּנֵי הֵימָן 2Chr 29:14 (|| בְּנֵי ידוּתוּן); — 2Chr 25:5 Heman is called חֹזֵה הַמֶּלָח בְּדִבְ רֵי הַאֱלֹהִים (compare Asaph 2Chr 29:30, Jeduthun 2Chr 35:15). — On question of identity of Heman in these various connections, see Thes Comm.
הֵימָן proper name see אמן.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Kings | 5:11* |
| 1 Chronicles | 2:6 · 6:18* · 6:24* · 6:29* · 15:17 · 15:19 · 16:37 · 16:41 · 16:42 · 25:1 · 25:4 · 25:5 · 25:6 |
| 2 Chronicles | 5:12 · 25:5 · 29:14 · 29:30 · 35:15 |
| Psalms | 88:1* |
Profile
Male • Son of Mahol • A wise man during Solomon's time.
Man living at the time of United Monarchy
Heman was known for his wisdom, though not as wise as Solomon. (1Ki.4.31)
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.4.31;
- only referred to as Heman הֵימָן;
- son of Mahol מָחוֹל;
- a brother of Ethan אֵיתָן, Calcol כַּלְכֹּל and Darda דַּרְדַּע.
Heman is mentioned in the book of 1 Kings as one of the wise men during the reign of King Solomon. He is described as a man of great wisdom, along with Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol (1Ki.4.31). However, the passage also states that Solomon's wisdom surpassed that of all these men, indicating that Heman, while wise, was not as wise as Solomon himself. The comparison serves to highlight the exceptional wisdom that God had granted to Solomon.
Heman the Ezrahite was a psalmist and musician mentioned in the title of Psalm 88. He is described as "Heman the Ezrahite," indicating that he was a descendant of Zerah, one of the sons of Judah (Gen.38.30; 1Ch.2.6). Psalm 88, which is attributed to Heman, is a deeply sorrowful and introspective psalm, expressing the psalmist's anguish and despair. The psalm is unique in that it does not end with the usual expression of hope or praise found in most other psalms. This has led some scholars to suggest that Heman may have composed the psalm during a time of great personal distress or national crisis.
All entries for Heman: הֵימָן