I Chronicles 26
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Commentaries
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The divisions of the porters - There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to one of the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven. The eastern gate fell to Shelemiah; the northern, to Zechariah, Ch1 26:14; the southern, to Obed-edom, Ch1 26:15; the western, to Shuppim and Hosah, Ch1 26:16. These several persons were captains of these porter-bands or door-keepers at the different gates. There were probably a thousand men under each of these captains; as we find, from Ch1 23:5, that there were four thousand in all.
Open source ↗DIVISIONS OF THE PORTERS. (Ch1 26:1-12) Concerning the divisions of the porters--There were four thousand (Ch1 23:6), all taken from the families of the Kohathites and Merarites (Ch1 26:14), divided into twenty-four courses--as the priests and musicians. Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph--Seven sons of Meshelemiah are mentioned (Ch1 26:2), whereas eighteen are given (Ch1 26:9), but in this latter number his relatives are included.
Open source ↗Concerning the divisions of the porters,.... Or doorkeepers, whose business it was to open and shut the doors of the temple, to keep all impure and improper persons from entering into it, or any of the vessels being carried out of it, and to prevent tumults and riots about it; these, as it seems, David divided into a like number of classes, as the singers, to take their turns in waiting: of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph; not Asaph the singer, who was a Gershonite, but the same with Eliasaph, Ch1 6:23 a Korhite.
Open source ↗Concerning the divisions of the porters,.... Or doorkeepers, whose business it was to open and shut the doors of the temple, to keep all impure and improper persons from entering into it, or any of the vessels being carried out of it, and to prevent tumults and riots about it; these, as it seems, David divided into a like number of classes, as the singers, to take their turns in waiting: of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph; not Asaph the singer, who was a Gershonite, but the same with Eliasaph, Ch1 6:23 a Korhite.
Open source ↗Observe, I. There were porters appointed to attend the temple, who guarded all the avenues that let to it, opened and shut all the outer gates and attended at them, not only for the state, but for service, to direct and instruct those who were going to worship in the courts of the sanctuary in the decorum they were to observe, to encourage those that were timorous, to send back the strangers and unclean, and to guard against thieves and others that were enemies to the house of God. In allusion to this office, ministers are said to have the keys to the kingdom of heaven committed to them (Mat 16:19), that they may admit, and exclude, according to the law of Christ. II. Of several of those that were called to this service, it is taken notice of that they were mighty men of valour (Ch1 26:6), strong men (Ch1 26:7), able men (Ch1 26:8), and one of them that he was a wise counsellor (Ch1 26:14), who probably, when he had used this office of a deacon well and given proofs of more than ordinary wisdom, purchased to himself a good degree, and was preferred from the gate to the council-board, Ti1 3:13. As for those that excelled in strength of body, and courage and resolution of mind, they were thereby qualified for the post assigned them; for whatever service God calls men to he either finds them fit or makes them so. III. The sons of Obed-edom were employed in this office, sixty-two of that family. This was he that entertained the ark with reverence and cheerfulness; and see how he was rewarded for it. 1. He had eight sons (Ch1 26:5), for God blessed him. The increase and building up of families are owing to the divine blessing; and a great blessing it is to a family to have many children, when like these they are able for, and eminent in, the service of God. 2. His sons were…
Open source ↗26:1 The first ancestor of the gatekeepers was Meshelemiah (called “Shallum” in Ezra 2:42; “Meshullam” in Neh 12:25).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) שׁוֹעֵר (shôwʻêr, H7778) — a janitor קׇרְחִי (Qorchîy, H7145) — a Korchite (collectively) or descendants of Korach מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה (Mᵉshelemyâh, H4920) — Meshelemjah, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קוֹרֵא (Qôwrêʼ, H6981) — Kore, the name of two Israelites אָסָף (ʼÂçâph, H623) — Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה (Mᵉshelemyâh, H4920) — Meshelemjah, an Israelite זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief יְדִיעֲאֵל (Yᵉdîyʻăʼêl, H3043) — Jediael, the name of three Israelites שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again זְבַדְיָה (Zᵉbadyâh, H2069) — Zebadjah, the name of nine Israelites שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… יַתְנִיאֵל (Yathnîyʼêl, H3496) — Jathniel, an Israelite רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth
Open source ↗עֵילָם (ʻÊylâm, H5867) — Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth יְהוֹחָנָן (Yᵉhôwchânân, H3076) — Jehochanan, the name of eight Israelites שִׁשִּׁי (shishshîy, H8345) — sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional אֶלְיְהוֹעֵינַי (ʼElyᵉhôwʻêynay, H454) — Eljehoenai or Eljoenai, the name of seven Israelites שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם (ʻÔbêd ʼĔdôwm, H5654) — Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief יְהוֹזָבָד (Yᵉhôwzâbâd, H3075) — Jehozabad, the name of three Israelites שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again יוֹאָח (Yôwʼâch, H3098) — Joach, the name of four Israelites שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… שָׂכָר (Sâkâr, H7940) — Sakar, the name of two Israelites רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth נְתַנְאֵל (Nᵉthanʼêl, H5417) — Nethanel, the name of ten Israelites חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth
Open source ↗עַמִּיאֵל (ʻAmmîyʼêl, H5988) — Ammiel, the name of three or four Israelites שִׁשִּׁי (shishshîy, H8345) — sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional יִשָּׂשכָר (Yissâˢkâr, H3485) — Jissaskar, a son of Jacob שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh פְּעֻלְּתַי (Pᵉʻullᵉthay, H6469) — Peullethai, an Israelite שְׁמִינִי (shᵉmîynîy, H8066) — eight אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… מִמְשָׁל (mimshâl, H4474) — a ruler or (abstractly) rule בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites עׇתְנִי (ʻOthnîy, H6273) — Othni, an Israelite רְפָאֵל (Rᵉphâʼêl, H7501) — Rephael, an Israelite עוֹבֵד (ʻÔwbêd, H5744) — Obed, the name of five Israelites אֶלְזָבָד (ʼElzâbâd, H443) — Elzabad, the name of two Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… אֱלִיהוּ (ʼĔlîyhûw, H453) — Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites סְמַכְיָהוּ (Çᵉmakyâhûw, H5565) — Semakjah, an Israelite
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם (ʻÔbêd ʼĔdôwm, H5654) — Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Open source ↗מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה (Mᵉshelemyâh, H4920) — Meshelemjah, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗חֹסָה (Chôçâh, H2621) — Chosah, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְרָרִי (Mᵉrârîy, H4847) — Merari, an Israelite שִׁמְרִי (Shimrîy, H8113) — Shimri, the name of four Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and…
Open source ↗חִלְקִיָּה (Chilqîyâh, H2518) — Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again טְבַלְיָהוּ (Ṭᵉbalyâhûw, H2882) — Tebaljah, an Israelite שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חֹסָה (Chôçâh, H2621) — Chosah, an Israelite; also a place in Palestine שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) שׁוֹעֵר (shôwʻêr, H7778) — a janitor רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
Open source ↗גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… שֶׁלֶמְיָה (Shelemyâh, H8018) — Shelemjah, the name of nine Israelites זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שֶׂכֶל (sekel, H7922) — intelligence; by implication, success יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that nothing unclean could enter for any reason.
We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.
Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.
the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,