Who was Zeri in the Bible?

Zeri, also called Izri, was one of the sons of Jeduthun, a Levite appointed as a temple musician and prophet during King David's reign. He was part of the group responsible for leading worship through music in the Tabernacle (1 Chronicles 25:3, 11).

What was Zeri's role and significance?

Zeri's significance lies in his role within the organized temple worship established by David. As a musician from the family of Jeduthun, he helped lead Israel in praise, which was a vital part of national worship and seeking God's presence (1 Chronicles 25:1-6).

What key events involve Zeri in the Bible?

The key event for Zeri was his appointment by lot to serve in the temple. He was chosen as the head of the fourth division of musicians, meaning he and his family had specific duties for leading musical worship (1 Chronicles 25:11).

Zeri

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleLeviteSon

Zeri (or Izri), a son of Jeduthun, was a temple musician during the reign of David (1Ch.25.3,11).

Zeri

Biography

Zeri, also called Izri in 1 Chronicles 25:11, was a son of Jeduthun, one of the three chief Levitical musicians appointed by King David to lead temple worship. David organized the Levitical musicians into twenty-four courses for rotating service, and the sons of Jeduthun were assigned to prophesy with the harp in giving thanks and praise to God (1 Chronicles 25:3). Zeri led the third of Jeduthun's six sons listed in 1 Chronicles 25:3, and his course is identified as the fourth division in the rotation listed in 1 Chronicles 25:11. His ministry of sacred music was conducted under his father's supervision as part of the elaborate cultic organization David established in preparation for the permanent temple that Solomon would build.

Significance

Zeri's ministry as a temple musician reflects the theology of worship embedded in Israel's institutional life: that music, prophecy, and praise were not peripheral but central to Israel's covenant relationship with God. The Chronicler presents the Levitical musicians as prophets whose instruments were instruments of divine communication (1 Chronicles 25:1). Zeri's service under Jeduthun, himself a revered master of worship, placed him within a tradition of sacred musicianship that shaped the Psalms and the temple liturgy for generations. His rotating course ensured that worship in Jerusalem was sustained, ordered, and continuously offered. In this way, even a relatively obscure figure like Zeri contributed to the unbroken chain of praise that Scripture presents as humanity's highest calling.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherJeduthun

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 25:3 1Chr 25:11

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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