And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
And the sons {H1121} of the singers {H7891} gathered themselves together {H622}, both out of the plain country {H3603} round about {H5439} Jerusalem {H3389}, and from the villages {H2691} of Netophathi {H5200};
The trained singers assembled together from the area around Yerushalayim, the villages of the N'tofati,
The singers were also assembled from the region around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites,
And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites;
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1 Chronicles 9:16
And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. -
1 Chronicles 2:54
The sons of Salma; Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites. -
Nehemiah 6:2
That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [some one of] the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Nehemiah 12:28 describes a specific logistical detail in the grand preparations for the dedication of the newly rebuilt wall of Jerusalem. It highlights the meticulous organization and the importance of worship in the post-exilic Jewish community.
Historical and Cultural Context
This verse is set during a pivotal moment in the history of the Jewish people, following their return from Babylonian exile. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem had been miraculously rebuilt in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15), a feat that defied their enemies. Chapter 12 details the joyous and elaborate dedication ceremony for the wall, which involved a large procession, sacrifices, and, significantly, organized music and singing. The "plain country round about Jerusalem" and "Netophathi" refer to specific regions and villages from which these dedicated temple musicians were summoned, emphasizing a widespread gathering for this sacred event.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "singers" in Hebrew is m'shorerim (מְשֹׁרְרִים), which specifically refers to the professional Levitical musicians who served in the Temple. Their role was not merely entertainment but a sacred duty, integral to the liturgical practices of ancient Israel. The mention of "Netophathi" (נְטֹפָתִי) is significant as it indicates a specific, identifiable settlement, suggesting an organized network for gathering these individuals, likely under the direction of the Levites and priests.
Practical Application
Nehemiah 12:28 offers several enduring lessons for believers today: