Ethan

1. Wise man comparable to Solomon (1 Kgs 4:31) and probably the author of Psalm 89. It is uncertain whether he was a contemporary of Solomon.

2. Descendant of Judah and son of Zerah (1 Chr 2:6), perhaps the same as #1 above. However, they are ascribed different fathers in the two passages.

3. Son of Zimmah, a descendant of Gershon, Levi’s oldest son (1 Chr 6:42).

4. Descendant of Levi through his son Merari, and the son of Kishi (1 Chr 6:44) or Kushaiah (15:17). He was one of three outstanding musicians, along with Heman and Asaph, appointed by David (vv 16–19). It was probably this Ethan whose name is ascribed in the title to Psalm 39 (as “Jeduthun,” which he is called in 1 Chr 16:41; 25:1) as “chief musician”; it is likely that he composed the music for the psalm.