Nehemiah 7:44

What does Nehemiah 7:44 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 7:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 7:44 means

The singers—the children of Asaph—number a hundred forty and eight (148). Asaph’s line is famed for temple music, and their presence signifies the revival of ordered praise. Music was not ornamental but integral to worship, teaching the people and glorifying God. Recording the singers affirms that the restored community values beauty and truth in worship, not just ritual. Their number enables choirs to lead songs at festivals and daily services. This entry highlights that the house of God is to be filled with ordered, skillful praise alongside sacrifice and instruction, completing the team for temple life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The music-makers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and forty-eight.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The singers: sons of Asaph: a hundred forty and eight.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Of Oduia, seventy-four. The singing men:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred and forty-eight.

Context

After priests and Levites, verse 44 lists the singers, specifically from Asaph’s line, maintaining continuity with pre-exilic worship traditions. The temple personnel roster will continue with porters in verse 45, who guard and manage access. Together, these groups show that worship involves multiple coordinated roles. The careful enumeration reinforces the chapter’s emphasis on legitimacy and order. Soon, the narrative will turn to temple servants (verses 46–60) and then to questions of undocumented lineage (verses 61–65), all within the overarching aim of a properly organized community.

v.43The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.

v.44This passage

v.45The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, a hundred thirty and eight.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezra 2:41

    The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.

  • 1 Chronicles 25:2

    of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.

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