1 Chronicles 9:27 kjv
And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
1 Chronicles 9:27 nkjv
And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning.
1 Chronicles 9:27 niv
They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.
1 Chronicles 9:27 esv
And they lodged around the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning.
1 Chronicles 9:27 nlt
They would spend the night around the house of God, since it was their duty to guard it and to open the gates every morning.
1 Chronicles 9 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:38 | Those who encamp before the tabernacle...were to keep charge of the sanctuary... | Priestly and Levitical guard duty. |
| Num 18:2 | They are to keep guard over you and over the whole tabernacle... | Responsibility of Aaron and his sons, and Levites. |
| 1 Chr 9:19 | Shallum...and their kinsmen, the gatekeepers...charged with the work of the service... | Immediate context: duties of gatekeepers. |
| 1 Chr 9:22 | All these who were chosen as gatekeepers...were enrolled...established in their office. | High status and established nature of their role. |
| 1 Chr 9:23 | They and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord... | Passing down of the vital gatekeeping role. |
| 2 Chr 23:4 | A third of you, priests and Levites who keep watch, shall be gatekeepers. | Shared duty for temple security. |
| 2 Chr 23:6 | But let no one enter the house of the Lord except the priests and the ministering Levites... | Restricted access, role of gatekeepers in control. |
| Ps 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper... | Honor and devotion to serving in God's house. |
| Ps 121:4 | Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. | God's eternal watchfulness, mirrored by His servants. |
| Isa 62:6 | On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent... | Analogy of spiritual watchmen for Jerusalem. |
| Jer 35:2 | Go to the house of the Rechabites...and bring them into one of the chambers of the house of the Lord... | Implies control over temple access/chambers. |
| Ezek 44:11 | They shall serve in my sanctuary as gatekeepers... | Future roles of Levites, reconfirming gatekeeping. |
| Neh 7:3 | Appoint guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their posts and others over against their own houses. | Guard duty for the city and temple. |
| Lk 12:35 | Stay dressed for service and keep your lamps burning... | New Testament theme of spiritual readiness/vigilance. |
| Lk 12:38 | If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! | Readiness at all times. |
| Mk 13:34 | Leaving his house, and giving authority to his servants, to each one his work, and commanding the doorkeeper to stay awake. | Parable emphasizing the doorkeeper's duty to watch. |
| Mk 13:37 | What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay awake. | Universal call for spiritual vigilance. |
| Col 4:2 | Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | Spiritual alertness in Christian life. |
| 1 Thes 5:6 | So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. | Christian vigilance against spiritual apathy. |
| Rev 3:3 | If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know... | Call for alertness and vigilance against judgment. |
1 Chronicles 9 verses
1 Chronicles 9 27 Meaning
The verse describes a vital responsibility of the Levitical gatekeepers during the time of the Temple. Their duty was to live within the temple precincts, maintaining a constant watch and spending their nights guarding the holy house of God. A key part of their "charge" or assigned responsibility was the opening of the temple gates every single morning to facilitate daily worship, sacrifices, and the movement of priests and worshippers. This ensured the ordered functioning and security of God's dwelling place.
1 Chronicles 9 27 Context
This verse is found within a genealogical and administrative section of 1 Chronicles. Following lists of tribes and their post-exilic settlements, Chapter 9 focuses on those who returned to Jerusalem and took up residence, particularly highlighting the crucial roles of the priests and Levites in re-establishing temple service. The Chronicler emphasizes the structured, ordained duties necessary for the proper worship of God after the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of these detailed responsibilities, like that of the gatekeepers, serves to remind the returned community of the importance of meticulous adherence to divine directives for temple operations, grounding their renewed spiritual life in orderly and faithful service. The historical context underscores the restoration of a sacred, communal life centered around God's dwelling, with security and ceremonial readiness being paramount for the fragile post-exilic community.
1 Chronicles 9 27 Word Analysis
- And they lodged (וַיָּלִ֧ינוּ, vayyalinu): The Hebrew verb implies 'to pass the night', 'to stay overnight', or 'to dwell'. It signifies that these Levites not only had a duty but made the Temple precincts their living quarters. Their continuous presence was integral to their responsibility, indicating a constant state of readiness and dedication beyond a simple daytime job.
- round about (סָבִ֖יב, saviv): This preposition means 'around', 'about', or 'on every side'. It highlights the strategic positioning of the gatekeepers – encircling the sacred space, forming a perimeter of protection and control over all access points to the holy house.
- the house of God (בֵית־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים, beit ha'elohim): This term refers to the Temple, which served as the central place of worship and the manifestation of God's presence among His people. Guarding this 'house' was therefore a sacred and crucial task, ensuring its holiness, purity, and security from unauthorized entry or desecration. It symbolized the physical locus of God's covenant with Israel.
- because the charge was upon them (כִּֽי־עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙, ki 'aleihem mishmeret): 'Charge' (mishmeret) denotes a specific duty, a custody, a watch, or an obligation entrusted to them. This phrase emphasizes the divine assignment of responsibility. It wasn't a casual task but a sacred trust, signifying a duty that had inherent authority and accountability. They were legally and religiously bound to this vigil.
- and the opening thereof (וּמַפְתֵּ֣חַ, u'mafte'ach): More literally, 'and the key' or 'the power of opening'. This term points to their authority. They possessed the means and responsibility to grant access to the Temple complex. This power implied control, discernment, and timing regarding who could enter and when, reflecting the regulated nature of Temple worship.
- every morning (בַּבֹּ֖קֶר בַּבֹּֽקֶר, babbōqer babbōqer): The repetition of 'morning' emphasizes regularity, consistency, and faithfulness in their duty. It signifies the start of each new day's temple rituals, prayers, and offerings. Their prompt and consistent action was crucial for the uninterrupted flow of divine service and the daily spiritual life of the community.
- lodged round about the house of God: This phrase highlights the proximity and permanence of their dwelling in relation to their sacred duty. They were constantly on site, immersed in the environment they were responsible for guarding. It suggests a life fully dedicated to service and protection of God's sanctuary.
- the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning: This groups their responsibility into two key aspects: constant oversight ("charge") and the daily execution of specific duties ("opening...every morning"). It speaks of a dual role of broad stewardship and punctual, active service, underlining the diligence and precision required for their sacred calling.
1 Chronicles 9 27 Bonus section
The strict regimen and unwavering dedication of the Levitical gatekeepers stand in contrast to periods of spiritual laxity seen in Israel's history. Their constant vigilance was a protective measure not only against physical threats but also against unauthorized spiritual encroachment, reinforcing the holiness and separateness of God's dwelling. In a broader sense, their duty serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual alertness, urging believers to "stand watch" over their own hearts, families, and the Church (as the new "house of God") against worldly influences or spiritual decay, always prepared to "open the gates" for the work of God to commence each new day. Their role underscores that faithful service often requires sacrifice, dwelling near the sacred, and an unceasing commitment to the tasks entrusted by God.
1 Chronicles 9 27 Commentary
1 Chronicles 9:27 encapsulates the unwavering commitment and meticulousness required for service in the house of God. The Levitical gatekeepers, by lodging perpetually within the Temple precincts, exemplified a life of total dedication and vigilance. Their "charge" was not merely a job but a divine trust, demanding round-the-clock watchfulness to secure the holy site. The daily ritual of opening the gates "every morning" highlights their critical role in enabling Israel's worship, underscoring regularity, punctuality, and the readiness to facilitate God's appointed order. This verse reminds us that true spiritual service involves persistent guarding against compromise and diligent preparation for daily engagement with the sacred.