Bible Figure

Heman the Ezrahite

Male
the author of Psalm 88 in the Hebrew Bible
A Visit With Jesus
Heman the Ezrahite is named in the heading of Psalm 88, a lament notable for its sustained darkness and plea to the God of salvation.
Heman the Ezrahite

Biography

The superscription of Psalm 88 calls it a maskil of Heman the Ezrahite and also associates it with the sons of Korah. First Kings 4:31 names a Heman among famous wise men surpassed by Solomon. Chronicles also describes a Heman who served as a prominent Levitical musician in David's worship organization. Whether all these references identify exactly the same person is debated, so they should not be merged without qualification.

Biblical Significance

Heman's clearest canonical association is with Psalm 88, one of Scripture's most intense laments. His record is valuable for crosslinking biblical figures, wisdom traditions, psalm authorship, and temple music while preserving uncertainty about namesakes.