Nehemiah 7:44
Nehemiah 7:44 in Multiple Translations
The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.
¶ The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.
The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight.
The music-makers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and forty-eight.
the singers of the sons of Asaph, 148;
The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundreth, and eight and fourtie.
The singers: sons of Asaph: a hundred forty and eight.
The singers: the children of Asaph: one hundred forty-eight.
The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and forty eight.
Of Oduia, seventy-four. The singing men:
148 singers who are descendants of Asaph.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 7:44
BAB
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Nehemiah 7:44 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַֽ/מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים
בְּנֵ֣י
אָסָ֔ף
מֵאָ֖ה
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
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
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Adj
וּ/שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 7:44
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.
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
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 — Nehemiah 7:44
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
42and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
43The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah ), 74.
44The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.
45The 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, 138 in all. 46The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 2:41 | The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 25:2 | 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. |
Nehemiah 7:44 Summary
Nehemiah 7:44 tells us that there were 148 descendants of Asaph who returned to Jerusalem, and they were singers. This means that God had preserved a group of people who were skilled in music and singing to serve Him in the temple. Just like the descendants of Asaph, we all have gifts and talents that we can use to worship God, as seen in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. By using our gifts to serve God, we can bring joy and reverence to the worship of God, just like the singers did in Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the descendants of Asaph in Nehemiah 7:44?
The descendants of Asaph were a family of singers who played a crucial role in the worship of God in Jerusalem, as seen in 1 Chronicles 6:39 and Ezra 2:41, where they are also mentioned as singers.
What was the significance of the number 148 in Nehemiah 7:44?
The number 148 represents the total count of the descendants of Asaph who returned to Jerusalem, indicating that God had preserved a remnant of skilled singers to serve Him, similar to how He preserved the Levites in Nehemiah 7:43.
How did the singers contribute to the worship in Jerusalem?
The singers, including the descendants of Asaph, contributed to the worship in Jerusalem by singing praises to God, as commanded in Psalm 100:1-5, and helped to create an atmosphere of joy and reverence in the temple services.
What can we learn from the organization and counting of the different families in Nehemiah 7?
The organization and counting of the different families, including the singers, in Nehemiah 7 demonstrate the importance of order, accountability, and stewardship in the kingdom of God, as taught in 1 Corinthians 14:40 and Matthew 25:14-30.
Reflection Questions
- What role do I play in the 'choir' of God's people, and how can I use my gifts to worship Him?
- How can I, like the descendants of Asaph, use my talents to bring joy and reverence to the worship of God?
- What does the preservation of the descendants of Asaph teach me about God's faithfulness to His people?
- In what ways can I, as a member of the body of Christ, contribute to the harmony and unity of the church, just as the singers contributed to the worship in Jerusalem?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 7:44
[See comments on Ne 7:6].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 7:44
The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:44
(5-73) The genealogical reckoning of the people, as the first step towards increasing the population of the metropolis, is determined on, not without express Divine suggestion; the allusion to this inspiration from God, is, as in Nehemiah 2:12, very emphatic. The original register of Zerubbabelis found and copied. The express language of both Ezra and Nehemiah makes it plain that this is no other than the list of those who came up with Zerubbabel and Joshua after the decree of Cyrus, in B.C. 538. Nehemiah’s own census follows, in Nehemiah 11. The exposition, especially as compared with Ezra 2, has been given on that chapter.