Nehemiah 12:35
And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:
Nehemiah 12:35 belongs to the account of a great thanksgiving day at Jerusalem for the dedication of the walls restored under Nehemiah after the return from the Babylonian captivity. Before the dedication, the priests and Levites purified themselves and purified the people, the gates, and the wall. At the dedication, the priests' sons with trumpets took their appointed place in the proceedings.
On dedication day two great processions of princes, priests, singers, and people ascended the wall at opposite points and marched on top of the wall until they joined at both ends into one continuous procession around the whole city, and then the united procession stood still together and gave thanks. The dedication was kept with gladness, thanksgiving, and singing, with the singers singing loudly under Jezrahiah their overseer, accompanied by cymbals, psalteries, harps, and trumpets. Great sacrifices were offered that day with rejoicing because God had made the people rejoice with great joy, with men, wives, and children together, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
In Scripture sacrifices and offerings are almost inseparably connected with thanksgiving, so material giving is the really practical feature of thanksgiving and this Jerusalem celebration provides an excellent basis for a Thanksgiving program.