This verse from Nehemiah 12:28 describes the gathering of musicians (the "sons of the singers") in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"The sons of the singers gathered themselves together..." This refers to the descendants (or perhaps members of the professional guild) of the Levitical singers, whose job it was to lead worship through music in the temple. They were assembling for a specific purpose, which the context reveals is a grand dedication ceremony of the newly rebuilt wall of Jerusalem.
"...both out of the plain around Jerusalem..." This indicates that some of the singers lived in the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem, in the surrounding plains.
"...and from the villages of the Netophathites;" The Netophathites were residents of the area of Netophah, a town or region located near Bethlehem. They were known to be skilled craftsmen, but in this case, the verse specifies that some singers also resided there.
In essence, the verse is saying that singers from the areas closest to and a little further away from Jerusalem (Netophah) converged on the city to participate in the dedication ceremony. This highlights the importance of music in the religious and cultural life of the returning exiles and the widespread involvement in the celebration.
This verse from Nehemiah 12:28 describes the gathering of musicians (the "sons of the singers") in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"The sons of the singers gathered themselves together..." This refers to the descendants (or perhaps members of the professional guild) of the Levitical singers, whose job it was to lead worship through music in the temple. They were assembling for a specific purpose, which the context reveals is a grand dedication ceremony of the newly rebuilt wall of Jerusalem.
"...both out of the plain around Jerusalem..." This indicates that some of the singers lived in the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem, in the surrounding plains.
"...and from the villages of the Netophathites;" The Netophathites were residents of the area of Netophah, a town or region located near Bethlehem. They were known to be skilled craftsmen, but in this case, the verse specifies that some singers also resided there.
In essence, the verse is saying that singers from the areas closest to and a little further away from Jerusalem (Netophah) converged on the city to participate in the dedication ceremony. This highlights the importance of music in the religious and cultural life of the returning exiles and the widespread involvement in the celebration.