Singers, singing (Hastings' Dictionary)
See artt. Praise in OT, and Priests and Levites. SINGULAR is properly that which concerns a single prrson or thing ; so AV, after Tindale, in Lv 27'^ ' When a man shall make a singular vow' (T1J n'pe;, liV ' shall accomplish a vow,' ItV'm ' make a special vow').* So also Knox, Works, iii. 141, ' \\ ithout harnes or weaponis (except my sling, staf, and stonis) I durst interpryes singular battell aganis him ' ; Bp.
Davenant, Life, 329, ' For my part, I am of opinion that there is no sane or possible \Vay for any singular person to attein to the comfortable persuasion that hce is Elected unto Salvation, but a Posteriori.' Ct. the phrase ' all and singular,' as in the Act of Uniformity in K. Edward VI.
Second Prayer-Book (1552), 'And for their authority in this behalf, be it further likewise enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that all and singular the same Archbishops, Bishoi>s, and all other their officers exercising Ecclesiastical juris- diction, as well in place exempt, as not exempt, within their dioceses, shall have full power and authority, by this act, to reform, correct, and punish, by censure of the Church, all and singular persons which shall oll'end within any their juris- dictions or Dioceses.'
Then the single person or thing may be regarded as special and remarkable, as Wis 14'* ' the singu- lar diligence of the artificer.' Cf. Ridley, Brefe Declaration, 144, ' Origen . . was compted and judged thi singular teacher in his tyme of Christes religion ' ; Mt O'" Tind. ' And yf je be frendly to youre brethren onlye, what singular thynge doo ye?' J. Hastings.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Singers, singing
Singers; Singing sing'-erz, sing'-ing: Singing seems to have become a regular profession at quite early date among the Hebrews. David had his troupe of "singing men and singing women" at Jerusalem (2Sa 19:35), and no doubt Solomon added to their numbers. Isa 23:16 suggests that it was not uncommon for foreign female minstrels of questionable character to be heard making "sweet melody," singing songs along the streets and highways of Judea. Nor was the worship of the temple left to the usually incompetent and inconstant leadership of amateur choristers. The elaborate regulations drawn up for the constitution of the temple orchestra and chorus are referred to under MUSIC (which see). It has been inferred from Ezr 2:65 that women were included among the temple singers, but this is erroneous, as the musicians there mentioned were of the class employed at banquets, festivals, etc. The temple choir consisted exclusively of Levites, one essential qualification of an active member of that order being a good voice. Of the vocal method of the Hebrews we know nothing. Wellhausen imagines that h…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia