Nehemiah 12 25

Nehemiah 12:25 kjv

Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.

Nehemiah 12:25 nkjv

Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates.

Nehemiah 12:25 niv

Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.

Nehemiah 12:25 esv

Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates.

Nehemiah 12:25 nlt

This included Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Obadiah. Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were the gatekeepers in charge of the storerooms at the gates.

Nehemiah 12 verses

Nehemiah 12 25 Meaning

Nehemiah 12:25 meticulously lists six individuals—Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub—by name, defining their crucial function as gatekeepers who were specifically tasked with guarding the sacred storerooms located within the Temple gates. This verse emphasizes their dual responsibility for both security at the entrances and the careful stewardship of the Temple's valuable provisions and resources.

Nehemiah 12 25 Context

This verse is part of Nehemiah 12, a chapter largely dedicated to recording the registration and roles of priests and Levites returning from Babylonian exile, emphasizing the re-establishment of Temple worship and service in post-exilic Jerusalem.

The broader historical context is Jerusalem's restoration following the rebuilding of its walls under Nehemiah's leadership (around 445 BC). With the city secured, the focus shifted to reinstituting proper religious order, which included organizing the personnel responsible for Temple operations. Verses 22-26 specifically enumerate leading Levites and gatekeepers, detailing the structure and continuity of their service across generations. The listing of specific individuals underscores the careful and precise reorganization of the sacred duties and financial stewardship of God's house after decades of disruption. It illustrates the community's commitment to divine order and accountability in maintaining the revived worship system.

Nehemiah 12 25 Word analysis

• Mattaniah (מַתַּנְיָה - Mattanyah): Meaning "Gift of Yahweh." This name frequently appears among Levites. In Nehemiah 11:22, a Mattaniah is noted as the chief director of praise, indicating that Levites had various, sometimes overlapping, duties beyond singing, including instrumental music and managing Temple facilities.
• Bakbukiah (בַּקְבֻּקְיָה - Baqbuqyah): Meaning "Poured out by Yahweh." Like Mattaniah, Bakbukiah is a Levitical name, specifically mentioned in Nehemiah 11:17 as one who offered thanksgiving at prayer. This highlights the interrelation of various Levitical roles—music, prayer, and guardianship—all serving the Temple.
• Obadiah (עֹבַדְיָה - ‘Ovadyah): Meaning "Servant of Yahweh." A very common and honorable name throughout the Old Testament, signifying devotion and servitude to God. Its inclusion here underlines the principle of serving the Lord in assigned capacities.
• Meshullam (מְשֻׁלָּם - Meshuallam): Meaning "Friend" or "Reconciled." This name appears multiple times for different individuals within Ezra-Nehemiah, pointing to its commonality and the extensive participation of various families in the restoration efforts, including crucial administrative and security roles.
• Talmon (טַלְמוֹן - Talmon): Associated with "Oppressor" or possibly "Dew." Talmon is consistently listed as a progenitor of a hereditary line of gatekeepers returning from exile (Ezra 2:42, Neh 7:45, 11:19). This highlights the inherited nature of the gatekeeper's office, implying continuity and established family responsibilities.
• Akkub (עַקּוּב - Akkub): Meaning "Insidious" or "Supplanted." Similar to Talmon, Akkub is identified as a head of a gatekeeper family in post-exilic censuses (Ezra 2:42, Neh 7:45, 11:19). The presence of these two names together confirms the specific lineages entrusted with gatekeeping duties across generations.
• "were gatekeepers" (הַשֹּׁעֲרִים הֵם - hash-sho'arim hem): This phrase emphasizes the official and recognized position held by these individuals. Gatekeepers were not mere guards but vital administrators of the Temple, controlling access, maintaining order, and enforcing purity laws within the sacred precinct.
• "who guarded" (שֹׁמְרִים - shomerim): This participle signifies a continuous and active duty of protecting and overseeing. It underscores the diligence, watchfulness, and responsibility required for their role. It is more than passive watching; it is an active safeguarding.
• "the storerooms" (בְּאוֹצְרֵי - b'otserei): Literally "in the treasuries" or "storehouses." These were designated, secured areas within the Temple complex where tithes, freewill offerings, sacred vessels, and provisions for priests and Levites were kept. Their protection was critical for the Temple's financial and logistical operations.
• "at the gates" (הַשְּׁעָרִים - hash-sha'arim): Refers specifically to the strategic entrances to the Temple courtyards and inner sanctuaries, rather than general city gates. These were points of controlled access where the gatekeepers performed their protective and custodial duties, safeguarding both the physical property and the sanctity of the area.

Nehemiah 12 25 Bonus section

The consistent listing of the gatekeeper families like Talmon and Akkub across multiple biblical registers (Ezra 2, Nehemiah 7, Nehemiah 11) is significant. It underscores not only the re-establishment of Temple functions but also the strong sense of lineage and hereditary duty among specific Levitical families after the return from exile. This commitment, often passed down through generations, ensured continuity in the vital roles of temple service, emphasizing faithfulness and order. It also subtly suggests that in the post-exilic period, some Levitical roles became less strictly delineated, with those associated with music also potentially involved in administrative and security aspects, demonstrating adaptability and multi-functional service within the Levites for the practical needs of the restored worship.

Nehemiah 12 25 Commentary

Nehemiah 12:25 offers a snapshot of the restored Temple administration, illustrating the meticulous order and detailed organization that characterized the post-exilic Jewish community's commitment to worship. By naming specific individuals—some of whom are recognized as Levitical singers in other contexts, and others as heads of hereditary gatekeeper families—the verse highlights the interconnected yet specialized roles within the Levite community. These gatekeepers were crucial for the Temple's functionality and security; their duty extended beyond simple guarding to the critical stewardship of the "storerooms" where the community's offerings were kept. This management of sacred resources was essential for the sustenance of the priests and the continuation of Temple services, reflecting a deep concern for accountability and faithful handling of what was consecrated to God. The verse ultimately affirms God's call for order, diligence, and dedicated service in His house, underscoring that every role, no matter how seemingly humble, contributes significantly to the overall flourishing of divine worship and community integrity.