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

EZRA 2:41KJV
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Ezra 2:41 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:41 mean?

Ezra 2:41 records that among the returning exiles were 128 singers from the family line of Asaph. This verse simply lists a specific group—those responsible for music in temple worship—by their ancestry and number.

This verse appears in a census of Israelites returning from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. The mention of "the children of Asaph" highlights a family known for leading music in temple services, showing that worship and its traditions were being restored along with the people. The precise number, 128, gives a sense of order and careful record-keeping in the restoration process.

Where else these words appear

“Asaph” Hebrew H623 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
  • Psalms 50:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

“singers” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

“eight” Hebrew H8083 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 5:4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
  • 1 Kings 7:10 And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.