1 Chronicles 26:1 kjv
Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
1 Chronicles 26:1 nkjv
Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
1 Chronicles 26:1 niv
The divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
1 Chronicles 26:1 esv
As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
1 Chronicles 26:1 nlt
These are the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites, there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, of the family of Abiasaph.
1 Chronicles 26 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper... in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. | The noble and spiritual calling of a gatekeeper in God's house, even better than worldly luxury. |
| 1 Chron 9:17-27 | And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brothers... They were on guard at the gates... | Details of gatekeepers' responsibilities and lineages in earlier chapters, including their vigil. |
| Neh 7:45 | The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138. | Gatekeepers listed among those who returned from exile, showing the continuity of their office. |
| 1 Chron 23:3-5 | The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were counted, and their number was 38,000. 24,000 of these were to oversee the work of the house of the Lord... and 4,000 were gatekeepers. | Enumeration of Levites and specific assignment of 4,000 to gatekeeping duties. |
| 1 Chron 23:24-32 | These were the sons of Levi... and their duties for the service of the house of the Lord... serving the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord... | General overview of Levitical service, encompassing various roles including doorkeeping. |
| 1 Chron 24:1 | The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. | Introduction to the priestly divisions, paralleling the organization of other Levitical groups. |
| Num 16:1-35 | Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi... rebelled against Moses... | The rebellion of Korah, ancestor of the Korahites mentioned, providing stark contrast to their later faithful service. |
| Num 26:11 | But the sons of Korah did not die. | God's grace preserved a remnant of Korah's line, allowing their future faithfulness and service. |
| Psa 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88 | Psalms of the sons of Korah | Poetic expressions by the descendants of Korah, indicating their restoration to a place of worship and spiritual understanding. |
| Mal 3:1 | "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple..." | Foretelling the coming of the Lord to His temple, underscoring its sacred nature requiring guardians. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus... Let us draw near with a true heart... | New Testament perspective on spiritual access to God's presence, contrasting the physical gates with Christ as our access. |
| Rev 21:25-27 | And its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it... | The eternal heavenly city has perpetually open gates for the righteous but excludes all uncleanness, reflecting ultimate guardianship. |
| Matt 16:18 | And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. | Christ's authority over the gates of evil, reflecting ultimate spiritual security. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Principle of divine order, reflecting the meticulous organization of Levitical duties. |
| 1 Cor 12:4-6 | Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. | Diversity of spiritual gifts and services in God's house, valuing every role. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ... | The equipping of God's people for various ministries, analogous to David equipping the Levites. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach... | The need for blamelessness and integrity for those who serve in positions of oversight or stewardship in God's house. |
| Luke 12:42-43 | And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes." | Emphasis on faithfulness and wisdom in managing responsibilities in the Lord's service. |
| Isa 62:6 | On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent... | Divine appointment of spiritual watchmen for the city, similar to physical gatekeepers. |
| 2 Sam 22:3-4 | My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. | God as the ultimate protector and guardian, providing security. |
1 Chronicles 26 verses
1 Chronicles 26 1 Meaning
The verse 1 Chronicles 26:1 introduces the administrative divisions and key leaders among the doorkeepers, also known as gatekeepers, who were part of the Levitical service for the future Temple. It specifically names Meshelemiah, a descendant from the lineage of the Korahites and connected to the sons of Asaph, as a prominent figure in these divisions. This verse highlights King David's meticulous organization of duties and personnel to ensure orderly worship and the security of God's house.
1 Chronicles 26 1 Context
1 Chronicles 26:1 is situated within King David's final administrative acts before his death, specifically concerning the detailed organization of the Levites for service in the future Temple that his son Solomon would build. Chapters 23-26 systematically list and assign duties to the Levitical clans: 1 Chronicles 23 outlines their overall organization and various functions, Chapter 24 details the courses of priests, Chapter 25 focuses on the divisions of musicians, and Chapter 26 addresses the divisions of the doorkeepers, treasurers, and other officers. This meticulous planning reveals David's profound commitment to establishing a lasting framework for proper worship and spiritual order in Israel. The historical context shows David acting as a divinely inspired king, not just a warrior, but also a dedicated planner and organizer for the spiritual well-being of his nation, anticipating the future sanctuary. This organization underscored the importance of consecrated service and hereditary responsibilities in maintaining the sanctity and functionality of God's house.
1 Chronicles 26 1 Word analysis
- Concerning the divisions: The Hebrew phrase implies "for the courses" or "as for the divisions."
- Divisions (מַחְלְקוֹת - mahalaqot): This term signifies "courses," "sections," or "groups." It points to a systematic, organized arrangement of duties, ensuring efficiency, proper rotation, and continuity of service. David’s intent was not chaotic, but meticulously ordered worship, reflecting the divine attribute of order (1 Cor 14:40).
- of the doorkeepers:
- Doorkeepers (הַשֹּׁעֲרִים - hasho'arim): More accurately "gatekeepers" or "porters." This role was far more significant than merely opening and closing doors. Gatekeepers were responsible for the security of the sanctuary, regulating access to sacred areas, ensuring that only those ritually clean entered, safeguarding the treasury (as seen in later verses of the chapter), and maintaining order. They were the frontline protectors of the holiness of God's house, separating the holy from the common. Their station was strategically important.
- of the Korahites: (לַקָּרְחִים - laqqorahim): This is a profoundly significant detail. The Korahites were descendants of Korah, who, in Numbers 16, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron's God-given authority, resulting in his and many followers' tragic demise. The fact that his descendants are now prominent gatekeepers of the Lord's house—guardians of the very sanctuary they once rebelled against—is a powerful testament to God's restorative grace and the redemptive power available even to lineages marked by sin. It shows God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant, and their fidelity underscores the transformative work of God in history, exemplified also by the sons of Korah who composed several psalms of worship (Ps 84).
- Meshelemiah the son of Kore:
- Meshelemiah (מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה - Meshelemya): A specific individual leader chosen by David. The mention of his name underlines the concrete administrative assignments made. His name means "Yah Repays" or "Whom the Lord repays."
- son of Kore (בֶן־קֹרֵא - ben-qore'): "Kore" here is a personal name, not directly "Korah" the rebel, though it is from the same root and signifies his lineage as a Korahite. It implies a faithful line of descent from the infamous Korah, showing continued generational service and distinction.
- of the sons of Asaph: (מִן־בְּנֵי אָסָף - min-bene 'asaph): This specific phrasing is a point of scholarly discussion. Asaph is most widely known as a prominent Levitical choirmaster (1 Chron 25). If this refers to the clan of Asaph the musician, it indicates a broader involvement of different Levitical groups in the gatekeeping duties beyond just specialized gatekeeping clans, possibly some within the musical divisions also served this administrative role. However, it's widely accepted that elsewhere, 1 Chron 9:19 for example, refers to Ebiasaph (one of the three branches of the Korahites in Exod 6:24) as a doorkeeper. Some ancient manuscripts and interpretations suggest that "Asaph" in 1 Chron 26:1 might be a textual variant or abbreviation for Ebiasaph, linking Meshelemiah more directly to the traditional gatekeeping lineage of the Korahites. However, based on the preserved Masoretic Text of 1 Chr 26:1, it reads "Asaph." It highlights that even within these distinct Levitical roles, there could be overlaps or shared lineage responsibilities in different contexts.
1 Chronicles 26 1 Bonus section
The mention of "Asaph" in 1 Chronicles 26:1 as part of Meshelemiah's lineage for gatekeepers, despite Asaph's primary role as a chief musician, presents an intriguing textual detail in the Chronicles. While many prominent Bible versions follow the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text) in reading "Asaph" here, scholarly discussion often points to other passages (e.g., 1 Chr 9:19, Exod 6:24) which consistently associate Korahite gatekeepers with the line of Ebiasaph (one of the three sons of Korah whose lineage survived). Some ancient versions or variant manuscripts also reflect Ebiasaph in related passages where modern texts show Asaph. This discrepancy can be understood in a few ways: either "Asaph" in 1 Chr 26:1 is an abbreviated or variant form for "Ebiasaph" given their common Korahite descent; it indicates an overlap where some from the musical house of Asaph also had gatekeeping duties; or it refers to a distinct Asaph known for his gatekeeping function. Regardless, the chronicler's primary emphasis is on meticulous record-keeping of service, highlighting the honor and specific assignments within the Levitical tribal system. It emphasizes that faithfulness, not just direct ancestry in a single specific duty, qualifies one for service in God's kingdom.
1 Chronicles 26 1 Commentary
1 Chronicles 26:1 opens the enumeration of the Levitical doorkeepers, emphasizing King David's extraordinary foresight and dedication to the future Temple's operations. This verse is more than a mere record of names; it establishes the organizational structure of a vital branch of Levitical service. The choice of the "Korahites" for such a critical role is a profound theological statement of divine redemption. Their ancestors' rebellion and God's judgment did not forever bar their lineage from sacred service. Instead, a faithful remnant was not only preserved (Num 26:11) but was restored to a place of great responsibility and trust, literally guarding the house of God. This points to the boundless grace of God and the possibility of spiritual rehabilitation, demonstrating that past sins, even severe ones, do not always permanently disqualify descendants from honorable service if there is repentance and new faithfulness. The verse underscores that effective ministry requires careful organization, dedicated personnel, and above all, the blessing of God that empowers individuals to serve even after historical stigma. Every position, from the prominent to the seemingly humble doorkeeper, contributes to the holistic worship and administration of God’s purposes, reinforcing the principle that all roles within the Body of Christ are valuable (1 Cor 12).