1 Chronicles 9:22 kjv
All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.
1 Chronicles 9:22 nkjv
All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office.
1 Chronicles 9:22 niv
Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer.
1 Chronicles 9:22 esv
All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were 212. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer established them in their office of trust.
1 Chronicles 9:22 nlt
In all, there were 212 gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed according to the genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed their ancestors because they were reliable men.
1 Chronicles 9 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 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." | Desire for service, even humble gatekeeping. |
| 1 Chron 26:1 | "For the divisions of the gatekeepers: Of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph." | Detailed organization of gatekeepers. |
| 1 Chron 26:12 | "These divisions of the gatekeepers were assigned posts of responsibility, just as their brothers were, to minister in the house of the Lord." | Gatekeepers' assigned responsibility. |
| Neh 7:1 | "After these things were finished, when the gates were set up and the gatekeepers... had been appointed..." | Gatekeepers important for post-exilic order. |
| Neh 11:19 | "And the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their kinsmen who kept watch at the gates, were 172." | Another record of gatekeepers in Jerusalem. |
| 2 Chron 23:4 | "A third of you, priests and Levites, who enter on the Sabbath are to be gatekeepers." | Gatekeepers were often Levites. |
| 2 Chron 23:19 | "Jehoiada stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the Lord, so that no one unclean in anything should enter." | Gatekeepers maintained purity and order. |
| Ezra 2:42 | "The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater..." | List of gatekeepers returning from exile. |
| 1 Chron 23:6 | "David organized the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari." | David's general organization of Levites. |
| 2 Chron 8:14 | "According to the ordinance of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service..." | David's ordinances for temple service. |
| 1 Sam 7:15 | "Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life." | Samuel's authority in Israel. |
| Acts 13:22 | "He raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’" | David's divine appointment and purpose. |
| Rom 1:17 | "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’" | Emphasis on "emunah" (faith/trust). |
| Hab 2:4 | "Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith." | Righteousness linked to faithfulness. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." | Trustworthiness essential for service/stewardship. |
| Matt 25:21 | "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’" | Reward for faithfulness in service. |
| Luke 16:10 | "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." | Faithfulness in small matters is key. |
| Deut 32:20 | "He said, ‘I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.’" | Lack of faithfulness as a severe fault. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints." | Divine emphasis on order in worship. |
| Heb 3:5 | "Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, bearing witness to the things that would be spoken later." | Faithfulness in serving God's house. |
| 1 Tim 3:2 | "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." | Qualities of those in church leadership (stewardship of God's house). |
| 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..." | God appoints roles for church order. |
1 Chronicles 9 verses
1 Chronicles 9 22 Meaning
This verse details the selection and appointment of 212 gatekeepers whose duties included guarding the thresholds or storechambers of the sanctuary. Their registration by genealogy underscored their legitimate connection to these responsibilities, and their crucial appointment by King David and Samuel the prophet established their foundational authority. Most importantly, they were chosen and appointed specifically for their trustworthiness and faithfulness in fulfilling their sacred duties.
1 Chronicles 9 22 Context
1 Chronicles 9 opens a detailed roster of those who settled in Jerusalem and performed sacred duties after the Babylonian exile. It re-establishes the post-exilic community's identity and connection to God's covenantal promises, emphasizing the legitimacy of their spiritual functions. Verses 1-34 focus on those involved in the temple service: priests, Levites, and gatekeepers, detailing their divisions and specific roles. This specific verse (v. 22) places the gatekeepers' vital role within this meticulously organized system, stressing their significant numbers and authoritative appointment. The Chronicler's primary purpose is to reassure the returnees of God's continued faithfulness and the importance of ordered worship according to established, ancient precedents set by foundational figures like David and Samuel, serving as a blueprint for the restored community.
1 Chronicles 9 22 Word analysis
- All these: Refers to the collective group of gatekeepers who are the subject of this and subsequent verses in the chapter. It highlights the unified and designated nature of their service.
- chosen: Implies deliberate selection, not random assignment. It suggests qualifications and suitability were considered, perhaps even a divine call.
- to be gatekeepers: From Hebrew שֹׁעֲרִים (sho'arim), literally "keepers of the gates." Their primary function was to guard access, protect the sacred space, and manage ingress and egress. This role was both protective and regulatory.
- in the thresholds: From Hebrew אֲסֻפֵּי (
asupeorasippey). While commonly translated "thresholds," this word can also refer to "storehouses," "collection points," or "treasury rooms." In context with "gatekeepers," it suggests their duty extended beyond mere entry points to safeguarding valuable items or preventing unauthorized access to sacred stores, further highlighting their trustworthiness. - were 212: A precise number, emphasizing the Chronicler's attention to detail and the orderly, organized nature of temple service. Such numerical data authenticates the record and signifies proper administration.
- These were registered by genealogy: This signifies legitimacy and lineage. For temple servants, being registered by family line (Hebrew: הִתְיַחְשָׂם, hityachsham, "their registration by genealogy") was critical for proving their rightful claim to service and for maintaining the integrity of the temple staff.
- in their villages: Indicates that many of these temple functionaries, though serving in Jerusalem, resided in nearby Levitical towns and would travel to the city for their turns of duty, as was common for Levitical service.
- whom David and Samuel the seer: This joint appointment by two foundational figures—David, the beloved king, and Samuel, the last judge and prominent prophet—provides immense authority and historical precedent to the office of gatekeepers. It links their establishment to divinely appointed leadership in early Israel. Samuel is identified as "the seer" (הַחֹזֶה, ha-chozeh), highlighting his prophetic capacity to discern God's will.
- appointed: The Hebrew word, a form of יסד (yasad), implies "established" or "founded." It indicates a deliberate, formal, and authoritative setting in place of these individuals into their roles, with lasting effect.
- in their trust: This is from the Hebrew בֶּאֱמוּנָתָם (be'emoonatam), meaning "in their faithfulness," "by their reliability," or "because of their trustworthiness." This is the core attribute for their selection and success. It underscores the high moral and spiritual standard required for service in God's house, emphasizing integrity and dependability.
Words-group analysis:
- chosen to be gatekeepers in the thresholds: This phrase describes a specific, divinely ordained calling to a critical, front-line ministry involving both protection and possibly stewardship of temple resources.
- registered by genealogy: Emphasizes the historical continuity and divine legitimacy of their office, linking their post-exilic roles directly to Israel's ancestral structures.
- whom David and Samuel the seer appointed in their trust: This powerful conjunction establishes the historical, royal, and prophetic authority behind the gatekeepers' positions. The key characteristic of "trust" or "faithfulness" highlights that their effectiveness depended entirely on their integrity and reliability in fulfilling such significant responsibilities.
1 Chronicles 9 22 Bonus section
The meticulous recording of these temple functionaries, particularly the gatekeepers, serves as an encouraging model for the returning exiles. It validated their present efforts by showing that their work aligned with the patterns established by Israel's most revered leaders. This detailed accounting was also crucial for differentiating those with a legitimate claim to sacred office from those without, preserving the purity and order of the priesthood and Levites after the disruptions of exile. The emphasis on "trust" or "faithfulness" extends beyond individual conduct to encompass the very foundation of the community's relationship with God, suggesting that national prosperity and security were inherently tied to this quality within its leadership and service.
1 Chronicles 9 22 Commentary
1 Chronicles 9:22 succinctly captures the Chronicler's enduring message: the re-establishment of the community in Jerusalem after the exile must be rooted in ancient, God-ordained structures and led by individuals of proven faithfulness. The inclusion of precise numbers, genealogical registration, and a direct link to the authority of David and Samuel underscores the divine sanction and historical validity of the post-exilic worship system. The gatekeepers were not merely physical guards; they embodied vigilance, purity, and accountability, protecting the sacred space and its treasures. Their appointment "in their trust" (be'emoonatam) is paramount, signifying that integrity, loyalty, and fidelity to God and His house are the ultimate requirements for service. This echoes the biblical emphasis that faithful stewardship of even seemingly mundane tasks contributes directly to God's glory and the flourishing of His people, reinforcing the need for internal righteousness for external effectiveness.