Bible Strands
Ezra 2:41
The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator compiles a census of the returned exiles, cataloging families by their assigned temple duties. This entry appears between the count of Levites and the enumeration of gatekeepers.
The words — מְשֹׁרְרִים (m.sho.re.Rim) means singers, and בְּנֵי (be.Nei) denotes descendants. The text records that the descendants of Asaph numbered 128.
The thread — This group traces back to the worship apparatus organized in 1 Chronicles 6:39, 1 Chronicles 15:17, and 1 Chronicles 25:1. Those passages document David’s appointment of Asaph’s family to lead music and prophesy.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to note that post-exilite worship relied on documented lineage rather than voluntary participation. It establishes that liturgical roles were filled by specific, counted families to preserve institutional continuity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 6:39 Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
- 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;
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 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:
- Nehemiah 7:44 The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.
- 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.