Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 9:17
These were the gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their chief;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records a post-exilic administrative roster, listing Levitical officials and gatekeepers immediately after a genealogical register. This verse names the specific men appointed to guard the temple entrances and designates their leader.
The words — שׁוֹעֲרִים (sho'a'rim) identifies the appointed gatekeepers, while רֹאשׁ (rosh) marks Shallum as their chief. These terms establish a formal chain of command for temple access and security.
The thread — This roster aligns with the gatekeeper divisions in 1 Chronicles 26:1 and the mandated four thousand gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 23:5. Nehemiah 11:19 later confirms Akkub and Talmon continued guarding the gates with 172 associates.
Why it lands — The text assigns specific names and a chief to temple gatekeeping, establishing clear operational authority. It requires readers to recognize that worship service depends on documented lineage, appointed leadership, and structured duty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 26:1 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
- 1 Chronicles 23:5 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”
- Nehemiah 11:19 And the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates, who kept watch at the gates—172 men.