Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 12:28
And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;
28. the plain country ] R.V. the plain. Marg. ‘Or, circuit ’. The word here used, ‘the kikkar,’ is technically applied to the Jordan valley, e.g. Gen 13:10-12; Gen 19:17 ; 2Sa 18:23. Here, however, as in Neh 3:22, it seems very doubtful whether this application is at all possible at a time when the territory occupied by the Jews was of so limited an area. If the special signification be here retained, only the southern most portion of the Jordan valley, the district of Jericho, can be intended. The other and more probable alternative is to give the word its strict meaning of ‘the circle,’ and to suppose that it is here used to denote the country ‘round about Jerusalem.’ This is not improbable; for (1) the word does not necessarily mean a level surface, but something circular; (2) the country villages occupied by the singers (Neh 12:29) were in the vicinity of Jerusalem. In confirmation of this, it should be remembered that, even in its special application, it is generally found with a qualifying substantive, e.g. ‘the plain, or kikkar = circuit, of the Jordan.’ (Gen 13:10-11; 1Ki 7:46. Cf. Mat 3:5, ).
of Netophathi ] R.V. of the Netophathites. See note on Ezr 2:22.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The plain country round about Jerusalem – Perhaps the valleys of Hinnom and Jehoshaphat, which enclose Jerusalem on three sides, are intended.
The villages of Netophathi – Rather, as in 1Ch 9:16. Netophah lay near Bethlehem 1Ch 2:54, and is perhaps represented by the modern Antubeh.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together,…. Such of the Levites that were singers, and their sons that were trained up as such:
both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem the plain of Jordan by Jericho, and the plain of Saron and Lydda:
and from the villages of Netophathi: see 1Ch 9:16, here they dwelt, when not in their courses, to minister in the temple; but on this public occasion were summoned together.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
28. The plain country The ciccar, ( .) The word is always elsewhere applied to the Jordan valley, but the additional phrase round about Jerusalem has led most interpreters to understand here the country immediately around Jerusalem. Keil, however, with good reason, adheres to the established usage of the word.
Villages of Netophathi Towns in the vicinity of Netopha, a village apparently in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, (comp. Neh 7:26 ; 1Ch 2:54,) but not yet with certainty identified. Some suggest its identity with Beit Nettif, about fifteen miles southwest of Jerusalem.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
the singers. Mentioned in Neh 12:24.
plain country = surrounding country.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
plain: Neh 6:2
Netophathi: 1Ch 2:54, 1Ch 9:16
Reciprocal: 1Ch 6:32 – and then 1Ch 9:22 – in their Neh 3:22 – the men of the plain
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
12:28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of {h} Netophathi;
(h) Who were a certain family and had their possessions in the fields, 1Ch 2:54.