Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 12:46
For in the days of David and Asaph of old [there were] chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
46. in the days of David and Asaph of old ] This combination of names may be illustrated by other examples in the writings of the Chronicler (2Ch 29:30; 2Ch 35:15).
The LXX. omits the copula between the names, . This may represent the original reading. If so, it is the mention of David in the previous verse which occasions here the parenthetical statement that in those days the great Asaph was ‘overseer’ of the singers. We should then render ‘in the days of David Asaph was of old chief.’
there were chief ] R.V. Marg. ‘Another reading is there were chiefs ’. The plural ‘chiefs’ is the reading of the K’ri, which is also found in the Vulgate ‘erant principes constituti cantorum.’ If the reading of the first clause ‘in the days of David and Asaph’ be retained, the plural ‘chiefs’ with the allusion to a general custom, instead of to a particular example, is probably to be preferred. For the position of ‘chief’ of the singers associated with Asaph, see 1Ch 16:5; 1Ch 16:7 ; 1Ch 25:1-2; 1Ch 25:9.
songs of praise and thanksgiving ] In the English versions the punctuation gives the meaning as of a new clause ‘And there were songs of praise’ &c. Others make these words also dependent on ‘chief’ or ‘chiefs.’
There is no corresponding archological reference to the position of the porters. The Chronicler throughout his work shows a marked preference for the interests of ‘the singers’ as compared with ‘the porters.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, 1Ch 25:1; but Asaph only is mentioned here, as the most eminent and useful in that work.
There were chief of the singers; there were some overseers, whose office it was to see that the singers were fit for and diligent in their work; and therefore they took care of it at this time.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers,…. Persons appointed over the rest to instruct them, and see that they did their work aright, as besides Asaph, Haman, and Jeduthun, and their sons, 1Ch 25:2
and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God; such were made by them, some under divine inspiration, which bear the names of David and Asaph, as may be observed in the book of Psalms.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(46) Of old.Always there is a reverence shown for the old precedents.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
46. For in the days of David and Asaph So these Levitical appointments were no new invention of Nehemiah, but a restoration of a usage old as the times of David. The “and” before Asaph seems to be s clerical error. It is better to read, In the days of David Asaph was chief, etc.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
and Asaph: 1Ch 25:1-31, 2Ch 29:30, Psa 73:1, *title Psa 83:1, *title
Reciprocal: 1Ch 6:39 – Asaph 1Ch 15:16 – the singers Neh 11:22 – Of the sons Col 3:16 – and spiritual Rev 7:12 – thanksgiving
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 12:46. For in the days of David, &c. This verse gives the reason why the Levites and the singers performed their duty so accurately; because, from the time of David, who constituted their orders and offices, there were overseers appointed, who presided over them, and were careful both to instruct them in their duty, and keep them to it.