_Jeshaiah_] After Jeshaiah LXX. B inserts the name “Shimei” (Σεμεεὶ), no doubt rightly for (1) six sons are reckoned in this verse, (2) the “Shimei” of verse 17 is otherwise unmentioned in verses 2‒4, though his twenty-three companions are named. ⁴Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel¹, Shebuel², and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth: ¹ In verse 18, _Azarel_. ² In verse 20, _Shubael_. =4.= _Heman_] See xv. 17, note. _Uzziel_] In verse 18, “Azarel.” The variation between the two words when written with Hebrew consonants is small. Compare note on 2 Chronicles xxvi. 1 (“Uzziah” and “Azariah”). _Shebuel_] In verse 20, “Shubael.” _Jerimoth_] In verse 22, “Jeremoth.” _Hananiah_, _Hanani_] _Hananiah_, which signifies “Jehovah (Jah) is gracious,” and _Hanani_ (probably a contraction of _Hananiah_) are names found not infrequently in the Old Testament; but the following seven words are practically impossible as proper names, and the nine words together, with some easy alterations, actually form a poetical petition, which may be rendered thus: “Be gracious unto me, O God; be gracious unto me! Thou art my God. Thou hast magnified and exalted help for him that sat in distress. Thou hast given visions abundantly.” What explanation can be offered of this startling fact? It may be that the names are wholly artificial, invented by the Chronicler to fill out the desired twenty-four courses (see the head-note above), but the device is clumsy and the Chronicler was not likely to be bankrupt for names. Perhaps by a curious chance the original names bore some _slight_ resemblance to a sentence such as the above, and the resemblance has at some time been perfected by a fanciful scribe. ⁵all these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. ⁶All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph¹, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king. ¹ Or, _after the order of the king_, even _Asaph_ &c. =5.= _the king’s seer_] This title is given to Gad in xxi. 9, and to Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun, all three in 2 Chronicles xxxv. 15 (LXX. not Hebrew). _in the words of God_] The exact meaning of this is uncertain; it may either mean “in Divine things” (i.e. arrangements for worship), or “by Divine appointment” (compare 2 Chronicles xxix. 15 “by the words of the LORD”). _to lift up the horn_] i.e. to make loud blasts upon the horn; but a slightly different division of the Hebrew consonants should probably be made and the phrase connected with the following verse. Render therefore, =To lift up the horn= (i.e. to increase his power) =God gave to Heman=, etc.