The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Yahweh, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight.
Parallel translations
- KJV So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
- BSB Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.
- NKJV So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, all who were skillful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.
- NASB Their number who were trained in singing to the Lord, with their relatives, all who were skillful, was 288.
- NLT They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The trained singers, with their relatives skilled in music, numbered two hundred eighty-eight. A large company of skillful worshipers was set apart for the Lord.
Overview
The number reflects twenty-four divisions of twelve (25:9-31), mirroring the priestly courses and ensuring continuous, rotating ministry of praise. These were skilled and instructed musicians, not amateurs, showing that God's worship deserves preparation and excellence. Such devotion of trained gifts to God's service models how believers are to offer their abilities to Him as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- 1 Chr 23:5four thousand were doorkeepers, and four thousand praised Yahweh with the instruments which I made for giving praise.”
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