IDITHUN (Heb. Jēdhithān and Jēdhithān "Praising"). - One of the three masters of music placed over the choirs by David.

It is said that these men "prophesied," which may refer either to an authentic prophetic charism or, with less probability, to a mystical excitation accompanied by sounds and songs (1 Chron. 25:1; 2 Chron. 35:15; cf. 1 Sam. 10:5). I., a descendant of Merari, with his sons played the lyre. During the liturgical service, clothed in fine linen, they formed the choir to the east of the altar of burnt offerings (2 Chron. 5:12). Of the descendants of I. there is mention in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29:14) and of Nehemiah (Neh. 11:17). The title of three psalms (38, 61, 76) also alludes to the office of I. and his descendants.

According to some, Ethan the Ezrahite, famous for his wisdom (cf. 1 Kings 4:31) and to whom Psalm 88 is attributed, is to be identified with I. The identification rests on 1 Chron. 15:17, 19, where Ethan appears together with Heman and Asaph (cf. 1 Chron. 25:1).

Bibliography2 works

BIBL.: F. Vigouroux, s. v. in DB, III, col. 807 f.; J. Kölberle, Die Tempelsänger im Alten Testament, Erlangen 1899, pp. 155-64.

Angelo Penna

@incollection{ec6_idithun_ebr_jedhithan_e_jedhit, author = {Penna, Angelo}, title = {Idithun (Ebr. JĒDhithĀN e JĒDhithĀN «Lodante»)}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {VI}, pages = {1578}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1951}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/idithun-ebr-jedhithan-e-jedhithan-lodante} }

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