Ezra 2:41
Ezra 2:41 in Multiple Translations
The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128.
¶ The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
The music-makers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and twenty-eight
the singers of the sons of Asaph, 128;
The Singers: the sonnes of Asaph, an hundreth and eight and twentie.
The singers: sons of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.
The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
The singing men: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty-eight.
128singers who were descendants of Asaph
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 2:41
BAB
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Ezra 2:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַֽ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים
בְּנֵ֣י
אָסָ֔ף
מֵאָ֖ה
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
הַֽ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים
shîyr
H7891
to sing
Art | V-o
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אָסָ֔ף
ʼÂçâph
H623
Asaph
N-proper
מֵאָ֖ה
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Adj
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 2:41
הַֽ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים
shîyr
H7891
"to sing"
Art | V-o
This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.
Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָסָ֔ף
ʼÂçâph
H623
"Asaph"
N-proper
Asaph means gatherer, the name of several Israelites, including a Levite and the father of Hezekiah's secretary. He is mentioned in Exodus 6:24 and 1 Chronicles 26:1. Asaph was a common name in biblical times.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.24; son of: Korah (H7141I); brother of: Assir (H0617) and Elkanah (H0511); father of: Assir (H0617H) and Kore (H6981); also called Abiasaph at Exo.6.24; Asaph at 1Ch.26.1; Another name of ev.ya.saph (אֶבְיָסָף, אֲבִיאָסָף "Ebiasaph" H0043) § Asaph = "gatherer" 1) the father of Hezekiah's secretary 2) a son of Berechiah, chief Levite musician under David 3) a Persian officer over the royal forest
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Asaph. See also: 2 Kings 18:18; Ezra 3:10; Psalms 50:1.
מֵאָ֖ה
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
Study Notes — Ezra 2:41
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
39and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
40The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah ), 74.
41The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128.
42The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 139 in all. 43The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 6:39 | Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 15:17 | So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 25:1–2 | Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. |
| 4 | Nehemiah 7:44 | The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 11:17 | Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. |
Ezra 2:41 Summary
This verse tells us about a group of singers, the descendants of Asaph, who were part of the community that returned from exile. There were 128 of them, which shows that music and singing were important parts of their worship. Just like the descendants of Asaph, we can use our talents to praise and worship God, as seen in Psalm 100:1-2, where we are called to make a joyful noise to the Lord. By using our gifts to serve others and bring glory to God, we can be part of a vibrant and worshiping community, just like the one described in Ezra 2:41 and Nehemiah 12:27-47.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the descendants of Asaph?
The descendants of Asaph were a family of singers who played a crucial role in Israel's worship, as seen in Ezra 2:41 and 1 Chronicles 6:39, where Asaph is listed as one of the three main families of singers in the tribe of Levi.
What role did the singers play in the worship of God?
The singers, including the descendants of Asaph, were responsible for leading the people in worship and praise, as seen in 1 Chronicles 16:4-6, where David appoints Asaph and his relatives to minister before the ark of the Lord.
Why is it significant that there were 128 descendants of Asaph?
The number 128 may indicate a significant presence of singers in the returning remnant, emphasizing the importance of worship and praise in the restored community, as seen in Psalm 95:1-2, where the psalmist calls the people to sing to the Lord and worship Him.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Ezra 2?
Ezra 2:41 is part of a larger list of families and individuals who returned from exile, highlighting the diversity and complexity of the returning community, as seen in Ezra 2:1-64, where the families and numbers of the returnees are carefully accounted for.
Reflection Questions
- What role do I play in the worship and praise of my community, and how can I use my gifts to serve others?
- How can I, like the descendants of Asaph, use my talents to bring joy and glory to God?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of music and singing in worship, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- In what ways can I, like the returning exiles, contribute to the rebuilding and restoration of my community, and what gifts and talents can I offer to this effort?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 2:41
[See comments on Ezra 2:40].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 2:41
The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight. The singers: the children of Asaph.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 2:41
41. The singers] The Levitical order of singers was instituted in David’s time (1 Chronicles 15:17-24). There seem to have been 24 classes of singers (1 Chronicles 25:9-31). But the three great guilds of singers were called after the names of Heman the Kohathite, Asaph the Gershomite, and Jeduthun the Merarite (1 Chronicles 6:33-47; 1 Chronicles 25:1-7). Asaph] No members of the Heman and Jeduthun guilds seem to have returned. Four of the 24 classes of singers were called after the sons of Asaph, i.e. the first, Joseph: the third, Zaccur: the fifth, Nethaniah: the seventh, Jesharelah (1 Chronicles 25:2; 1 Chronicles 25:9-10; 1 Chronicles 25:12; 1 Chronicles 25:14). Asaph himself enjoyed a great reputation as a Psalmist (cf. 2 Chronicles 29:30, Nehemiah 12:46). The inscriptions of certain Psalms attribute their composition to Asaph (Psalms 50, 73-83).
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 2:41
41. Singers — See notes on 1 Chronicles 15:16-22.