1 Chronicles 26:18 kjv
At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
1 Chronicles 26:18 nkjv
As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar.
1 Chronicles 26:18 niv
As for the court to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court itself.
1 Chronicles 26:18 esv
And for the colonnade on the west there were four at the road and two at the colonnade.
1 Chronicles 26:18 nlt
Six were assigned each day to the west gate, four to the gateway leading up to the Temple, and two to the courtyard.
1 Chronicles 26 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Temple/Tabernacle Duties & Order | ||
| Num 3:38 | Those who were to encamp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting, were Moses... the charge of the sanctuary on behalf of the people... | Levites guarding the sanctuary. |
| 1 Chr 9:18 | Until then, they were at the King’s Gate on the east, as gatekeepers... | Previous gatekeeper role at a specific gate. |
| 1 Chr 9:19 | Shallum the son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, and his kinsmen of his father's house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service... | Korahites as temple gatekeepers. |
| 1 Chr 26:12-19 | These divisions of the gatekeepers... drew lots for their duties... | Overall division of gatekeepers by lot. |
| 1 Chr 23:28-32 | Their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord... | Levites' general duties for the Temple. |
| Ezra 2:42 | The sons of 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... | Gatekeepers in the post-exilic temple. |
| Neh 7:3 | And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them close the doors and bar them." | Importance of gate security in Nehemiah's time. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. | God's attribute of order and peace. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Principle of order in sacred service. |
| Precise Dimensions & Divine Instructions | ||
| Exo 27:9-19 | You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen... | Detailed dimensions of the Tabernacle court. |
| Exo 38:9-17 | The court on the south side had hangings of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits long. | Materials and length for tabernacle curtains. |
| Exo 25:9 | According to all that I show you, concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. | Importance of precise divine pattern. |
| 1 Chr 28:11-19 | Then David gave Solomon the plan of the vestibule of the temple, its houses, its treasuries... and for the storage rooms. | David received the temple plan by inspiration. |
| Ezek 40:6-7 | Then he came to the gate which faced east and went up its steps... | Precise architectural details in Ezekiel's vision. |
| Rev 21:15-17 | And the one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city... | Heavenly city measured with exactitude. |
| Sanctity, Access, and Ultimate Fulfillment | ||
| Psa 118:19-20 | Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord... | Gates to righteousness and the Lord's presence. |
| Isa 60:11 | Your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night, that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations... | Gates representing access and blessing. |
| Zec 8:3 | Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city... | God dwelling in His holy city/place. |
| Jn 10:9 | I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. | Jesus as the ultimate access to salvation. |
| Heb 10:19-20 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way... | Believers' access to God through Christ. |
1 Chronicles 26 verses
1 Chronicles 26 18 Meaning
1 Chronicles 26:18 details the specific location and dimensions related to the gatekeepers assigned to the western side of the Temple precinct. It indicates that the "Parbar" (a distinct western structure or area) was positioned at a specific road and "ascent" (likely a raised pathway or causeway). Furthermore, it provides precise measurements, fifty cubits in connection with the Parbar area, and fifteen cubits concerning an adjacent court or extension of it, thereby outlining the physical parameters and responsibilities for guarding this significant entrance. This verse highlights the meticulous order and exactitude in the organization of the service of God's house.
1 Chronicles 26 18 Context
This verse is part of David's comprehensive organization of the Levitical services for the future Temple, as recorded in 1 Chronicles chapters 23-26. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 26 focuses on the gatekeepers' divisions and their responsibilities, numbering 93,600 able men according to 1 Chronicles 23:3. David, inspired by God, meticulously organized these duties before the Temple was built by Solomon. The preceding verses (1 Chr 26:14-17) describe the assignments by lot for the eastern, northern, and southern gates. Verse 18 then specifies the arrangements for the western side. This emphasis on structured order and precise assignments reflects God's desire for diligent and dedicated service in His holy presence, underscoring the importance of guarding access to sacred space and managing its resources, anticipating the future temple worship.
1 Chronicles 26 18 Word analysis
- For the Parbar: The Hebrew word is Parbār (פַּרְבָּר). Its exact meaning and nature are debated among scholars. It appears only here and in 2 Ki 23:11. It likely refers to an annex, outer court, or some specific structure or colonnade located on the western side of the Temple precinct. Some suggest it could be related to a Persian word for "colonnade" or "open portico," implying a relatively open public access area. Its mention emphasizes a particular architectural feature that was significant enough to have assigned gatekeepers.
- on the west: This specifies the geographical orientation. The western side of the Temple often had a different character of access compared to the primary eastern gate. As Jerusalem is elevated from the west, this western access point would likely be a significant entrance, possibly leading up to the main Temple courts from a lower ground or road.
- at the road, at the ascent: The Hebrew word for "ascent" is məsilāh (מְסִלָּה), which often means a "highway" or "raised way." This suggests a built pathway or ramp leading up to the Parbar area. This might have been a ceremonial approach or a path specifically for a certain group of people, emphasizing controlled and dignified access to the sacred space.
- fifty at the Parbar and fifteen at the court: These numbers are generally understood to be measurements in cubits, specifying the dimensions related to these areas. "Fifty at the Parbar" could refer to a length or breadth associated with the Parbar structure itself or the extent of the pathway leading to it. "Fifteen at the court" likely refers to a measurement (perhaps width or depth) within an adjacent smaller court or a specific section of the main court accessible from this western entry. These precise, divine measurements signify God's call for order, specificity, and exactitude in the structure and service of His dwelling place.
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "For the Parbar on the west was to be at the road, at the ascent": This group identifies a specific location (the Parbar), its orientation (west), and its strategic position near a main access point (road/ascent). It underscores the meticulous detail in planning the Temple's layout and security, acknowledging that each access point had unique characteristics requiring specific oversight.
- "fifty at the Parbar and fifteen at the court": This phrase gives the exact dimensions, indicating the divine emphasis on precision in constructing and managing God's holy dwelling. It shows that even ancillary structures and their immediate surrounding areas were planned with careful numerical specification, highlighting God's orderliness and the seriousness of tasks related to His house.
1 Chronicles 26 18 Bonus section
The emphasis on western access is significant. While the East Gate often held symbolic importance (e.g., Ezekiel 43:1-4 for the return of God's glory), the western side, often facing the city's approach from the common areas, would require careful management for the general populace. This suggests the comprehensive nature of God's care for both internal sacred functions and external public access, ensuring proper control and sanctity. The "ascent" further implies a pilgrimage aspect or a notable rise in elevation towards the sacred precincts, signifying effort and intentionality in approaching God's presence.
1 Chronicles 26 18 Commentary
1 Chronicles 26:18, though appearing as a mundane administrative detail, profoundly illustrates God's demand for meticulous order and dedicated service within His holy dwelling. The specific mention of the "Parbar" on the west, located at a "road" and "ascent," signifies that even less common or more indirect entrances were accounted for with divine precision. The numerical dimensions – fifty and fifteen cubits – further emphasize this divine requirement for exactitude, not just in the grand structures but also in the periphery and associated access points. This level of detail in David's organization, clearly inspired by the Lord, conveyed to the Israelites that serving God was not a haphazard affair but required deliberate, systematic, and committed efforts. It ensured proper security, reverence, and regulated access to the Temple, setting a precedent for holiness and disciplined service.