The term "singing-men" refers to a specific group of individuals in ancient Israel who were dedicated to the ministry of music, particularly in the context of worship and temple service. These men were part of the Levitical order, tasked with the important role of leading the congregation in song and praise to God. Their role is mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament, highlighting their significance in the religious life of Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 2:65 : "besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 200 singing men and women." This verse is part of the list of those who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. The mention of "singing men and women" underscores the importance of music in the restoration of worship practices in Jerusalem.

2. Nehemiah 7:67 : "besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 245 singing men and women." Similar to the account in Ezra, this passage records the census of those who returned to Jerusalem, including the singing men and women, indicating their integral role in the community's spiritual life.

3. 1 Chronicles 15:16 : "David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals." This passage highlights King David's organization of the Levitical musicians, which included singing-men, to enhance the worship experience with music and song.

4. 1 Chronicles 25:1-7 : This passage details the division of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals. The singing-men were part of this organized group, emphasizing their prophetic role through music.

Role and Function:

The singing-men were not merely performers but were considered ministers who played a vital role in the spiritual life of Israel. Their music was an expression of worship, designed to lead the people in praise and to glorify God. The Levites, including the singing-men, were set apart for this sacred duty, and their service was seen as an offering to the Lord.

Historical Context:

During the time of the monarchy, particularly under King David, the organization of temple worship was formalized, and the role of the singing-men became more prominent. David's establishment of a structured musical ministry set a precedent for future generations, ensuring that music remained a central element of worship in Israel.

Theological Significance:

The singing-men, as part of the Levitical order, were seen as mediators of God's presence through music. Their ministry was not only to entertain but to edify and lead the congregation in worship. Theologically, their role underscores the importance of music as a means of expressing devotion and as a vehicle for divine communication.

Cultural Impact:

The tradition of singing-men has had a lasting impact on Jewish and Christian worship practices. The emphasis on music in worship, as seen in the role of the singing-men, has influenced the development of liturgical music and the incorporation of choirs and musical instruments in church services throughout history.

In summary, the singing-men were a vital part of the worship life in ancient Israel, serving as leaders in musical praise and contributing to the spiritual vitality of the community. Their legacy continues to influence worship practices in both Jewish and Christian traditions today.

Barzillai
... evil! can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any
more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/barzillai.htm

"The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
... Be we young or be we old, we shall not wish to return, but shall go on to find that
the singing men and singing women wish us to join their number and to help ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/lv the king kissed barzillai.htm

How after the Death of Cambyses and the Slaughter of the Magi but ...
... the multitude also of servants that followed those that went up to Jerusalem were
seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; the singing men and singing ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how after the.htm

Obadiah
... And he had his great household of slaves, men-servants and maidservants, guards
and footmen, singing men and singing women"perhaps a hundred souls and more ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

The Benefits of an Early Piety
... to him by a dread of impending evil; he does not decline the gratifications of sense,
because he can no longer "hear the voice of singing men and singing women ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the benefits of an early.htm

Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... The monarch was to see bright raiment, flowers, pageantry, smiling faces only; to
hear only the voices of singing men and singing women; no smatch of the ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 8/watkinson the transfigured sackcloth.htm

The Book of the Law
... And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women
spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; and all the singing men and the singing women
spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should
thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?"--2 Sam. xix. ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

The Believer a New Creature
... exhausted all, I know it, I am weary of it." Follow what pursuit you will, like
Solomon you may get to yourself gardens and palaces, singing men and singing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the believer a new creature.htm

Singing-men (3 Occurrences)
Singing-men. Singing, Singing-men. Singing-women . Multi-Version
Concordance Singing-men (3 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 19 ...
/s/singing-men.htm - 7k

Singing-women (3 Occurrences)
Singing-women. Singing-men, Singing-women. Single . Multi-Version Concordance ...
can I hear any more the voice of singing-men and singing-women? ...
/s/singing-women.htm - 7k

Singing (65 Occurrences)
... David had his troupe of "singingmen and singing women" at Jerusalem (2
Samuel 19:35), and no doubt Solomon added to their numbers. ...
/s/singing.htm - 29k

7337 (2 Occurrences)
... their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand
three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/num/7337.htm - 6k

Thirty-seven (9 Occurrences)
... their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand
three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/t/thirty-seven.htm - 9k

Maid-servants (25 Occurrences)
... their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three
hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/m/maid-servants.htm - 14k

Men-servants (22 Occurrences)
... their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three
hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/m/men-servants.htm - 13k

Maids (28 Occurrences)
... their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred
thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/m/maids.htm - 14k

Menservants (19 Occurrences)
... their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three
hundred thirty and seven; and they had two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/m/menservants.htm - 12k

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three
hundred thirty and seven; and they had two hundred singingmen and singing ...
/m/maidservants.htm - 15k

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