Nehemiah 7 41

Nehemiah 7:41 kjv

The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

Nehemiah 7:41 nkjv

the sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;

Nehemiah 7:41 niv

of Pashhur ? 1,247

Nehemiah 7:41 esv

The sons of Pashhur, 1,247.

Nehemiah 7:41 nlt

The family of Pashhur ? 1,247

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 41 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:41 specifically records the number of the "singers," identifying them as "the sons of Asaph," totaling 148 individuals. This verse is part of a comprehensive register of those who returned from Babylonian exile, enumerating various groups instrumental in re-establishing the community in Judah, particularly Jerusalem. The inclusion of singers signifies the vital importance of organized worship and praise in the restoration of Israelite life centered around the Temple. It points to God's providence in preserving and bringing back those dedicated to a core aspect of His service.

Nehemiah 7 41 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 serves as a meticulously detailed register of the people who returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah, reflecting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration. This list largely mirrors Ezra chapter 2 but may include minor differences due to updated counts or slightly different administrative purposes. The chapter follows Nehemiah's successful completion of the Jerusalem wall, signaling a crucial moment for the physical rebuilding of the city and the re-establishment of a functioning society.

The immediate context of Nehemiah 7:41 falls within the enumeration of different occupational and familial groups. After listing families of lay Israelites, the list moves on to cultic personnel vital for temple service: priests, Levites (including various categories like singers and gatekeepers), Nethinim, and Solomon's servants. The emphasis on specific numbers for each group underscores the diligence in organization and the systematic re-establishment of religious and civic order. The inclusion of "the singers, the sons of Asaph" specifically highlights the paramount importance of communal worship and sacred music as a central component of Israel's restored identity and spiritual life.

Nehemiah 7 41 Word analysis

• The singers: (Hebrew: הַמְשֹׁרְרִים, ha'meshorerim)

  • This term refers to professional musicians whose primary role was leading corporate worship in the Temple.
  • They were part of the Levitical caste, although sometimes distinguished from other Levites due to their specific, specialized function. Their role was hereditary and trained from a young age.
  • Their service was considered an act of prophetic ministry through praise, often involving instruments and elaborate compositions. This sacred music elevated and sanctified communal worship, enabling deeper communion with God.
  • The prefix 'ha-' (הַ) signifies the definite article "the," emphasizing they are a well-defined and recognized group within the returning community. Their specific role made them indispensable to the renewed life in Jerusalem.

• the sons of Asaph: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי אָסָף, b'ney Asaph)

  • This denotes the lineage and descendants of Asaph, a prominent Levitical musician from the time of King David.
  • Asaph was one of the three chief musicians appointed by David, alongside Heman and Jeduthun (1 Chr 25:1). His descendants continued this tradition.
  • Psalms 50 and 73-83 are specifically attributed to Asaph, indicating his significant contribution to Israel's hymnody and theological reflection. These psalms often contain a didactic or prophetic element, beyond mere musicality, demonstrating their spiritual depth.
  • Being "sons of Asaph" meant inheriting a prestigious musical legacy and a defined role in temple service, connecting the returning community directly to the divinely established patterns of worship from David's era. It validated their claim to specific duties and land assignments.

• 148: (Hebrew: מֵאָה וְאַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמוֹנָה, me'ah v'arba'im u'shemonah)

  • This precise numerical figure is characteristic of the administrative records found throughout the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
  • It underscores the meticulous detail with which the post-exilic community was organized and accounted for, demonstrating the earnestness and orderliness of their return and rebuilding efforts.
  • The accuracy of such lists highlights divine providence in preserving remnants of each essential group, even down to a specific number, reflecting God's commitment to restoring all facets of Israel's national and religious life. This order provided a foundation for the restored covenant community.

• "The singers: the sons of Asaph": This phrase groups a specific occupational function ("the singers") with a defining ancestral identity ("the sons of Asaph"). This combined identifier confirms their hereditary qualification and professional distinction within the Levitical class. It emphasizes the continuity of sacred tradition through familial lines and validates their essential role in the re-established Temple worship, signifying an ordered restoration blessed by God.

Nehemiah 7 41 Bonus section

The presence of singers from the line of Asaph underscores the enduring significance of prophetic praise in Israelite worship. Asaph was noted as one who "prophesied with lyres" (1 Chr 25:1), suggesting that their musical ministry was not merely entertainment but an act of divine inspiration and proclamation. The post-exilic community clearly sought to revive this foundational aspect of worship.Minor numerical differences occur between the list in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 for various groups. For instance, Ezra 2:41 records 128 singers from the sons of Asaph, whereas Nehemiah 7:41 records 148. Such variations are common in ancient manuscripts and are often attributed to different census times, different methods of counting, or textual transmission variations over time. These discrepancies, however, do not diminish the overall historical and theological message of a significant number of these dedicated worship leaders returning to Judah.

Nehemiah 7 41 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:41, though a simple line in a list, speaks volumes about the priorities of the returning exiles under Nehemiah's leadership. The meticulous enumeration of the "singers" from "the sons of Asaph" as 148 individuals demonstrates more than just bureaucratic efficiency. It reveals a profound theological understanding: the restoration of Israel was incomplete without the vibrant and organized practice of sacred praise and worship. Just as much as the wall protected the physical city, the re-establishment of dedicated singers protected and nourished the spiritual heart of the community. This act recognized that worship, led by those consecrated for the task, was indispensable for connecting the people to God and fostering corporate identity. It showed that despite the trials of exile, God preserved a remnant to perpetuate the ancient, God-ordained musical heritage, ensuring that the voice of praise would once again resound in Jerusalem. The precise number reflects the divine orchestration and human diligence in restoring order to a shattered people, with each person valued and assigned a place in God's plan.