Original Word: יְשַׂרְאֵלָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ysar'elah
Pronunciation: yeh-sar-AY-lah
Phonetic Spelling: (yes-ar-ale'-aw)
KJV: Jesharelah
NASB: Jesharelah
Word Origin: [by variation from H3477 (יָשָׁר - upright) and H410 (אֵל - God) with directive enclitic]

1. right towards God
2. Jesarelah, an Israelite

Jesharelah

By variation from yashar and 'el with directive enclitic; right towards God; Jesarelah, an Israelite -- Jesharelah.

see HEBREW yashar

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a son of Asaph
NASB Translation
Jesharelah (1).

יְשַׂרְאֵ֫לָה proper name, masculine a son of Asaph 1 Chronicles 25:14 = אֲשַׂראֵ֫לָה (q. v.) 1 Chronicles 25:2 (etymology dubious).

Canonical Setting

Jesharelah is introduced within David’s organization of the Levitical musicians (1 Chronicles 25). The Chronicler records that David, together with the commanders of the army, “set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals” (1 Chronicles 25:1). Verse 14 notes, “The seventh lot fell to Jesharelah, his sons, and his brothers—twelve in all.” Thus, Jesharelah functions inside a list that establishes twenty-four divisions of singers for continual temple praise.

Genealogical Placement

Jesharelah belongs to the house of Asaph, a prominent Levitical clan descended from Gershon. Asaph himself served as chief musician in David’s court (1 Chronicles 16:4–7) and is credited with numerous psalms (for example, Psalms 73–83). The Chronicler’s meticulous genealogies underscore covenant continuity: every name signals a living link between the Mosaic worship system and the Davidic kingdom. Jesharelah, though mentioned only once, carries forward Asaph’s line of worship leaders.

Role in Temple Worship

The lot system in 1 Chronicles 25 assigns each family a specific rotation, ensuring unbroken praise in the sanctuary. Jesharelah’s family received the seventh turn, ministering with “harps, lyres, and cymbals for those who minister in the house of God” (1 Chronicles 25:6). Twelve members served in his course, matching the symbolic fullness of Israel’s tribes and mirroring the priestly orders that later maintained daily sacrifices (see 1 Chronicles 24:1–19). By participating in this structured worship, Jesharelah’s household contributed to the spiritual rhythm of Israel’s national life.

Prophetic Dimension of Music

The Chronicler repeatedly ties musical service to prophecy (1 Chronicles 25:1,3). In Scripture, prophecy is more than foretelling; it is Spirit-empowered proclamation of God’s truth. Asaph’s descendants, Jesharelah included, “prophesied under the supervision of the king” (1 Chronicles 25:2). Their songs therefore conveyed divine revelation, shaping Israel’s theology and nurturing covenant faithfulness. This perspective explains why many Asaphite psalms confront idolatry, call for justice, and anticipate messianic hope.

Symbolic and Theological Themes

1. Uprightness before God: The name Jesharelah conveys the idea of rectitude or straightness toward God. Chronicles places that concept in concrete form—ordered, obedient worship that reflects God’s holiness.
2. Corporate participation: Each course contained twelve members, emphasizing shared responsibility. Worship is not the task of a few professionals but of an entire covenant community.
3. Preparation for the temple: Though the temple would be built by Solomon, David’s organization underscores that spiritual preparation precedes architectural accomplishment. Jesharelah’s course rehearsed the praises that would fill Solomon’s courts (2 Chronicles 5:12–14).

Continuity of the Asaphite Line

Post-exilic records list “the sons of Asaph” returning to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:41; Nehemiah 7:44). While Jesharelah is not named there, his branch likely merged into the broader guild that resumed temple music after captivity. This continuity affirms God’s preservation of worship even through judgment and exile, echoing promises such as Jeremiah 33:11, where “the voices of those who bring thanksgiving sacrifices to the house of the LORD” return.

Practical Lessons for Worship Today

• Divine order enhances, not hinders, spiritual vitality. Jesharelah’s scheduled service illustrates how planning supports continuous praise.
• Musical ministry is prophetic when grounded in Scripture and empowered by the Spirit.
• Uprightness toward God begins with the heart but expresses itself in faithful service, whether one’s name appears often in Scripture or only once.
• God weaves individual lives into His redemptive agenda; even a single-verse figure like Jesharelah stands as a testament that every believer’s worship has enduring value in the unfolding account of redemption.

יְשַׂרְאֵ֔לָה ישראלה yə·śar·’ê·lāh yəśar’êlāh yesarElahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts