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Bible Encyclopedias
Jeduthun
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
(Hebrew Yeduthun', ידוּתוּן or יְדֻתוּן; also יְדַיתוּן, Yedithun', in 1 Chronicles 16:38; Nehemiah 11:17; Psalms 30, 77, titles; lauder; Sept. ‘ Ιιιουᾷ, but ‘ ΙτΣο ' )5 in 1 Chronicles 9:16), a Levite of Merari's family, and one of the four great masters of the Temple music appointed by David (1 Chronicles 16:41-42; 1 Chronicles 25:1, etc.). B.C. 1014. From a comparison of 1 Chronicles 15:17; 1 Chronicles 15:19, with 1 Chronicles 16:41-42; 1 Chronicles 25:1; 1 Chronicles 25:3; 1 Chronicles 25:6; 2 Chronicles 35:15, some infer that he was identical with ETHAN (See ETHAN) (q.v.). In 2 Chronicles 35:15, he bears the title of "the king's seer." His sons sometimes appear as exercising the same office (1 Chronicles 25:1; 1 Chronicles 25:3), at others as door-keepers of the sacred edifice (1 Chronicles 16:42). His name is also put for his descendants (Jeduthunites, a "sons of Jeduthun"), who occur later as singers and players on instruments (2 Chronicles 35:15; Nehemiah 11:17). In the latter signification it occurs in the superscriptions to Psalms 39, 62, 77; but Aben- Ezra supposes it to denote here a species of song, and Jarchi a musical instrument. The form of the phrase (עִל יְדֻתוּן, "upon Jeduthun") favors the latter interpretation (Gesenius, Thes. Heb. p. — 569), indicating a kind of instrumental music, or perhaps a style or tune of performance (Ewald, ieb. Poesie p. 176) invented or introduced by Jeduthun; a conclusion strengthened by finding a phrase indicative of authorship (לַידוּתוּן, "to Jeduthun," i.e. composed by him); ascribed in a similar connection (Psalms 39, title), since he is elsewhere recognized as an inspired character (2 Chronicles 35:15). (See MUSICIAN).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Jeduthun'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​j/jeduthun.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.