Although
we do not know all the significance of the order and organization imposed on
the Levite musicians, we do know from Scripture that they were accustomed to a
high degree of organization. I
Chronicles 6:32-48 tells us of some of that organization when it states in
verse thirty-two, "And they ministered before the dwelling place of the
tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house
of the LORD in Jerusalem: and they
waited on their office according to their order (misphat 4941)." Misphat means a formal decree giving
this statement the import that their placement was of importance to the program
of organization.
Verses
thirty-three to forty-four tell us that Heman the singer stood in the middle
and Asaph stood on his right side and Ethan on his left. Evidently they stood in their respective
positions with their sons or brethren (vs. 33 and 44). We are not informed as to why they stood in
this order, but it was important enough for the chronicler to record. I Chronicles 16:5 also gives a list of
the order and chain of command of the Levite musicians. "Asaph the chief (ro’sh7218), and next (mishneh
4932) to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and
Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and
Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with
cymbals." This example shows their
rank. Asaph was chief and the rest were
"next" or mishneh which
means of the second rank. Note that this
organization specified that the Levites of second rank would play melodic
musical instruments (nebel, 5035 and kinnowr, 3658) and that Asaph the
conductor would sound (shama 8085) or
direct (mark beginnings and pauses) with the cymbals (metseleth 4700).
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