Ethan

Ethan (meaning strong or the gift of the island) is the name of several men in the Old Testament. (1.) Ethan the Ezrahite, a man of renowned wisdom against whom Solomon's superior wisdom was measured (1 Kings 4:31), credited with composing Psalm 89. He was a son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:6). (2.) A Levite of the family of Gershon, an ancestor of Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:42). (3.) Ethan son of Kishi (also called Kushaiah), a Levite musician appointed by David to serve before the ark, playing the bronze cymbals in the processional (1 Chronicles 6:44; 15:17–19). He may be the same as Jeduthun, one of the three chief musicians. These men of Ethan's skill in music and wisdom made the name a byword for excellence.