**IDITHUN** (Heb. ßèdhùthùn and ßèdhùthùn, “praiser”). — One of the three masters of music placed in charge of the choirs by David.
It is said of these men that they “prophesied,” which may refer either to an authentic prophetic charism or, less probably, to a mystical excitement accompanied by music and song (1 Chron. 25:1; 2 Chron. 35:15; cf. 1 Sam. 10:5). I., a descendant of Merari, played the cithara with his sons. During the liturgical service, dressed in fine linen, they formed the choir to the east of the altar of burnt offerings (2 Chron. 5:12). Descendants of I. are mentioned in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29:14) and of Nehemiah (Neh. 1:17). The titles of three psalms (38, 61, 76) also allude to the office of I. and his descendants.
According to some, Ethan the Ezrahite, renowned for his wisdom (cf. 1 Kings 4:31) and to whom Psalm 88 is attributed, is to be identified with I. This identification rests on 1 Chron. 15:17, 19, where Ethan appears together with Heman and Asaph (cf. 1 Chron. 25:1).
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