In the biblical context, singing-women were often associated with celebrations, religious ceremonies, and significant events in the life of Israel. Their role was both cultural and spiritual, as they contributed to the communal expression of joy, lamentation, and worship through music and song.

Historical Context

Singing-women are mentioned in various parts of the Old Testament, reflecting their presence and importance in ancient Israelite society. They were often part of a larger group of musicians and singers who played a vital role in both secular and sacred settings. Their contributions were not limited to entertainment but extended to the spiritual and emotional life of the community.

Biblical References

One of the earliest mentions of singing-women is found in the context of King David's reign. In 2 Samuel 19:35, Barzillai the Gileadite, when declining David's offer to come to Jerusalem, mentions that he can no longer enjoy "the voice of singing men and singing women." This reference indicates that singing-women were part of the royal court's entertainment and cultural life.

In 2 Chronicles 35:25, the lamentations for King Josiah are described, where "all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their laments to this day." This passage highlights the role of singing-women in mourning and commemorating significant figures in Israel's history.

The Book of Ecclesiastes also references singing-women in a more personal context. Ecclesiastes 2:8 states, "I amassed for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man." Here, the acquisition of singing-women is listed among the luxuries and pleasures pursued by the author, traditionally understood to be Solomon.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Singing-women were integral to the cultural fabric of ancient Israel. Their presence at royal courts, religious festivals, and public gatherings underscores their importance in both secular and sacred contexts. They contributed to the communal worship experience, enhancing the liturgical and celebratory aspects of Israelite life.

In religious ceremonies, singing-women, along with male singers, played a role in the musical worship of Yahweh. Music and song were essential components of temple worship, and singing-women would have been part of the choirs that led the people in praise and worship.

Role in Lamentation and Celebration

Singing-women were not only involved in joyous occasions but also in times of sorrow and lamentation. Their ability to express deep emotions through song made them valuable participants in funerals and other mourning rituals. The lament for Josiah, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles, is a prime example of their role in expressing collective grief.

In celebrations, such as weddings and victories, singing-women contributed to the festive atmosphere. Their songs would have included themes of joy, triumph, and thanksgiving, reflecting the communal spirit of the occasion.

Conclusion

Singing-women in the Bible were more than mere entertainers; they were vital participants in the spiritual and cultural life of Israel. Their contributions to worship, celebration, and lamentation highlight the power of music and song in expressing the full range of human emotions and experiences in the context of faith.

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

How after the Death of Cambyses and the Slaughter of the Magi but ...
... also of servants that followed those that went up to Jerusalem were seven thousand
three hundred and thirty-seven; the singing men and singing women were two ...
/.../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 Story of Panthea.
... great impartiality. Among the prizes assigned to Cyrus were two singing
women of great fame, and this Susian lady. Cyrus thanked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter x the story of.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

Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion
... I am afraid that where organs, choirs, and singing men and singing women are left
to do the praise of the congregation, men's minds are more occupied with the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/praises and vows accepted in.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 Benefits of an Early Piety
... 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;" but willingly ...
/.../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

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

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

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

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

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

Daughter (320 Occurrences)
... (5.) The daughters of a tree are its boughs (Genesis 49:22). (6.) The "daughters
of music" (Ecclesiastes 12:4) are singingwomen. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/d/daughter.htm - 43k

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

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

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

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

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