Ezra 2 42

Ezra 2:42 kjv

The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.

Ezra 2:42 nkjv

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, and the sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-nine in all.

Ezra 2:42 niv

The gatekeepers of the temple: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai ? 139

Ezra 2:42 esv

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, and the sons of Shobai, in all 139.

Ezra 2:42 nlt

The gatekeepers of the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai ? 139

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 42 Meaning

Ezra 2:42 enumerates specific families of gatekeepers who returned from the Babylonian exile to Judah with Zerubbabel. It lists the "children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai," and provides their combined total number as one hundred thirty-nine. This verse underscores the restoration of a vital, ancient role within the temple service, emphasizing the organized return and reconstitution of God's people in the promised land, with a particular focus on their liturgical functions.

Ezra 2 42 Context

Ezra chapter 2 meticulously lists the individuals and families who first returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel, approximately 70 years after Jerusalem's destruction. This census is vital as it re-establishes the legitimate population of the land, detailing who returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. It categorizes the returnees by their lineage and functional roles within the community and prospective temple service, including ordinary Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Nethinim (temple servants). Verse 42 specifically focuses on the gatekeepers, a crucial group responsible for the security, purity, and orderly access of the reconstructed Temple. Historically, this return marks the beginning of the Second Temple period, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of restoration.

Ezra 2 42 Word analysis

• The children of the gatekeepers (בְּנֵי הַשֹּׁעֲרִים, bĕnê haššōʿarîm):
  • בְּנֵי (bĕnê): Literally "sons of" or "children of," but often used to denote "descendants of," "members of a family/clan," or "a guild/class" associated with a specific individual or profession. In this context, it indicates the family lines claiming this hereditary office.
  • הַשֹּׁעֲרִים (haššōʿarîm): Derived from šaʿar (gate) and literally meaning "the ones of the gate" or "the gatekeepers/doorkeepers." These individuals held a vital position within the temple administration. Their role went beyond merely opening and closing gates; they were responsible for security, preventing unauthorized access, maintaining order, ensuring cleanliness, and sometimes handling treasury duties (1 Chr 9:26). Their vigilance safeguarded the sanctity of the holy space, distinguishing between clean and unclean, sacred and common. This role, often assigned to Levites or those closely associated with them, was established during the Davidic monarchy (1 Chr 26).
• the children of Shallum (שַׁלּוּם, Šallûm): "Recompense" or "peaceful." This name appears in 1 Chronicles 9:17 among the chief gatekeepers, signifying an established lineage in this function.
• the children of Ater (אָטֵר, ʾāṭêr): "Bound," "shut up," or possibly related to "lame." Its specific connotation here relates to lineage.
• the children of Talmon (טַלְמוֹן, Ṭalmôn): Meaning "oppressor" or "injured." Also listed in 1 Chronicles 9:26 as a gatekeeper.
• the children of Akkub (עַקּוּב, ʿAqqûb): Meaning "insidious," "tracked," or "heel-catcher." Found also in 1 Chronicles 9:17 among the prominent gatekeepers.
• the children of Hatita (חֲטִיטָא, Ḥăṭîṭāʾ): Meaning "exploring," "scooping out," or "breaking through."
• the children of Shobai (שׁוֹבָי, Šōb̄ay): Meaning "returning" or "taking captive." An interesting name given the context of return from exile, potentially referring to the returnees themselves or someone associated with the return.
• in all one hundred thirty-nine (הַכֹּל מֵאָה שְׁלֹשִׁים וְתֵשַׁע, hakkōl mêʾāh šlōšîm wətēšaʿ): This precise numerical summation, found frequently throughout Ezra 2, emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping and organizational precision of the returning community. While there are slight variations in numbers when compared with the parallel list in Nehemiah 7, such minor discrepancies are typical in ancient texts and do not undermine the overall historical authenticity or significance of the census, highlighting the value placed on exactitude and identity in re-establishing a national and religious order. This collective number represents the specific personnel assigned to critical temple duties, demonstrating the intent to fully restore temple functionality.

Ezra 2 42 Bonus section

• Numerical Discrepancy: The number 139 here for gatekeepers differs slightly from Nehemiah 7:45, which records 138. Such minor numerical variations in parallel biblical texts are common and often attributed to scribal copying errors, differing census methods, or perhaps variations in who was included at different specific points in time. These variations do not diminish the overall historicity or the integrity of the biblical record.
• Theology of Gates: Throughout the Bible, gates symbolize protection, authority, and access (e.g., gates of Hades, gates of righteousness). The role of the gatekeepers was thus intrinsically linked to the theological concept of access to God's presence, underscoring the necessity of a sacred boundary and the regulation of who could enter. This role prefigures the ultimate gate, Jesus Christ, through whom all believers now have access to the Father.
• Hereditary Office: The gatekeeping function was often an hereditary office passed down through families, primarily Levites (as seen in 1 Chronicles). This continuity of lineage was crucial for preserving the traditions and knowledge associated with temple service through generations, reinforcing the idea of a stable, ordered system of worship ordained by God.
• Beyond Security: While security was a primary role, gatekeepers also sometimes managed chambers, collected contributions, stored valuable items, and were responsible for opening the temple doors each morning. This illustrates a multifaceted administrative role essential for the temple's daily operations and financial integrity.

Ezra 2 42 Commentary

Ezra 2:42 provides a meticulous detail in the roster of returning exiles, specifying the families of gatekeepers who journeyed back to Judah. This seemingly simple enumeration carries profound significance. The gatekeepers were more than mere custodians; they were vital officers who safeguarded the sanctity of the temple, controlling access and maintaining order within its sacred precincts. Their presence ensured that the rebuilding effort was not just architectural but spiritual, re-establishing proper worship and the distinction between holy and common, clean and unclean. The precise listing of families like Shallum, Ater, and Talmon, coupled with the exact numerical total, underscores the divinely ordered nature of the restoration. It speaks to God's faithfulness in preserving His people and re-establishing the mechanisms necessary for covenant fellowship, illustrating the foundational importance of organized service in God's house for spiritual renewal. This detailed accounting reveals that every component of the former worship system, even its guardians, was valued and reinstated, signaling a full return to divine protocols.