2 Chronicles 23 4

2 Chronicles 23:4 kjv

This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;

2 Chronicles 23:4 nkjv

This is what you shall do: One-third of you entering on the Sabbath, of the priests and the Levites, shall be keeping watch over the doors;

2 Chronicles 23:4 niv

Now this is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who are going on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch at the doors,

2 Chronicles 23:4 esv

This is the thing that you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers,

2 Chronicles 23:4 nlt

This is what you must do. When you priests and Levites come on duty on the Sabbath, a third of you will serve as gatekeepers.

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 4 Meaning

2 Chronicles 23:4 outlines a specific deployment strategy for the Levites during Jehoiada the priest's coup to enthrone young Joash and overthrow the usurper Athaliah. This verse details that one-third of the Levites were to guard the entry gate of the house of the LORD (the temple), another third were to be stationed at the king's house (the palace), and the final third at the Asaphite Gate, ensuring their combined watch over the sacred house of the LORD. It emphasizes their critical role in maintaining order and sanctity during this pivotal moment of re-establishing true worship and rightful rule in Judah.

2 Chronicles 23 4 Context

Chapter 23 of 2 Chronicles details the strategic and courageous actions of Jehoiada the priest to restore the Davidic line to the throne of Judah after the six-year usurpation by Athaliah, the wicked daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who had slaughtered all the royal heirs except young Joash, whom Jehoiada had secretly protected. Verses 1-3 describe Jehoiada garnering support from military commanders, Levites, and tribal heads, revealing Joash to them, and having them swear an oath in the temple. Verse 4 then immediately follows with the practical instruction for deploying the Levites. The broader historical context is a kingdom grappling with idolatry and instability after a period of ungodly rulers. Jehoiada's coup represents a turning point, a divinely sanctioned move to restore both righteous governance and proper worship at the temple, ensuring the continued line of David as promised by God. The meticulous organization and assignment of roles to the Levites underscore the gravity of the mission and the emphasis on securing both the king's safety and the sanctity of God's dwelling place.

2 Chronicles 23 4 Word analysis

• Third part: (חֵלֶק - ḥeleq) Refers to a division or portion. This indicates a highly organized and distributed assignment of duties, essential for covering multiple strategic points and managing a large Levitical force.
• You (of you): (לָכֶם - lakem) Plural possessive pronoun, specifically addressing the Levites. This direct address underscores the explicit command and responsibility given to them by Jehoiada, highlighting their covenantal obligation to protect the Lord's house and anointed one.
• Those who enter on the Sabbath: (בָּאֵי הַשַּׁבָּת - ba’ei ha-shabbat) This phrase clarifies which Levites are meant—those who are rotating on duty for that specific Sabbath day. It implies a structured system of service already in place and that the plan leveraged this existing order. The Sabbath was a day of solemn assembly, and this choice maximized available manpower when people would typically be gathered.
• Watch the gate (doormen) / keeping the entry: (שׁוֹמְרֵי הַסַּף - shomerey ha-saf) The root shamar means to guard, watch, keep, preserve. This refers to the specific task of security, literally guarding the threshold, preventing unauthorized access to the temple. These are gatekeepers, essential for maintaining sacred boundaries.
• House of the LORD: (בֵּית יְהוָה - Beit YHWH) The Temple in Jerusalem, God's dwelling place among His people. Its holiness and centrality to Israelite worship make its security paramount. It represents the presence and covenant faithfulness of God.
• Other third part: (הַשְּׁלִישִׁית - ha-shlishit) Signifies another distinct division, further emphasizing the calculated distribution of forces across different locations for maximum effect and strategic control.
• King's house: (בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ - Beit HaMelekh) Refers to the royal palace. Guarding the palace was crucial for securing the throne, eliminating any resistance, and preventing Athaliah's supporters from regaining control.
• Asaphite Gate: (שַׁעַר אֲסֻפּוֹת - Sha'ar Assuppot) A specific gate in or leading to the temple or palace complex, perhaps named after a particular gatekeeper family (like Asaph's descendants who were temple musicians/attendants) or a place of assembly. Its specification points to the precise planning of the coup.
• Watch: (וּלְשָׁמְרִי - ul'shomrey) Another form of shamar, reiterating the command to guard, signifying active vigilance and protection. This watch involved controlling access, observing surroundings, and acting as a barrier to danger.
• Your watch in the house of the LORD: (מִשְׁמֶרֶת יְהוָה בֵּית - mishmeret Beit YHWH) Literally "the watch of the LORD's house." This signifies a sacred trust, a divine commission. Their task was not merely civil security but a spiritual responsibility to protect God's sacred dwelling.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Those who enter on the Sabbath": This group-specific instruction highlights the careful planning. Jehoiada utilized the regular rotation of Levites on duty for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a time of increased assembly, making it both an opportune moment for the coup (more people gathered in Jerusalem) and also requiring the use of those already present and accustomed to temple duty for security. This shows reliance on existing sacred protocols even amidst a political upheaval.
• "Watch the gate of the house of the LORD... King's house... Asaphite Gate": This three-pronged strategic deployment emphasizes a comprehensive security plan. It covered not only the sanctity of the temple but also the immediate surroundings and the seat of temporal power (the palace). The objective was full control of both sacred and political centers to secure the transition of power. This interconnectedness of temple and kingdom was central to the Davidic covenant and the proper order of Israel.
• "Your watch in the house of the LORD": This concluding phrase for the Levites' deployment emphasizes the overarching purpose of their assignment. Even when some were explicitly guarding the King's house or a specific gate, their ultimate role and allegiance were rooted in their sacred duty to God and His house. This frames the political action within a theological context of restoring God's order.

2 Chronicles 23 4 Bonus section

The carefully orchestrated deployment in 2 Chronicles 23:4 also serves as a strong counter-polemic against Athaliah's reign. Her rule was marked by paganism (2 Chr 24:7, 2 Kgs 11:18), desecration of the temple, and the attempted obliteration of the Davidic line. Jehoiada's re-activation of the Levitical temple guard, specifically on the Sabbath, and their strategic placement to secure the "house of the LORD" alongside the "king's house," powerfully symbolized the re-assertion of YHWH's authority over Judah's spiritual and political life. This was not just a coup but a holy cleansing, demonstrating that the legitimate government in Judah was tied directly to faithfulness to God and the purity of His sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 23 4 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:4 is a pivotal verse, revealing the meticulous organization of Jehoiada's coup. It illustrates the strategic deployment of the Levites, who were uniquely suited for this task due to their inherent duties as temple guardians and their strong allegiance to God and the Davidic covenant. By dividing them into three shifts, guarding the main temple entrance, the palace, and a specific named gate, Jehoiada ensured total control and security of both the sacred and governmental spheres during the volatile transfer of power. This deployment wasn't just a military maneuver; it was a spiritual act, underscoring the Levites' divinely appointed role in safeguarding the sanctity of God's house and protecting His anointed, Joash. Their participation affirmed the re-establishment of a divinely ordered kingdom that prioritized true worship over idolatry, and legitimate rule over usurpation. The emphasis on "your watch in the house of the LORD" frames the entire action as a dedicated service to God, a crucial step in purging ungodliness and restoring righteousness to Judah.