Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 9:22
The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler compiles a genealogical and administrative roster of Levitical officials, placing this verse within a census of sanctuary personnel. The passage records a specific count and appointment structure without narrative commentary.
The words — The text highlights הַבְּרוּרִים (ha'berurim), meaning "those who had been chosen," and בַּסִּפִּים (ba'sippim), meaning "at the thresholds," to identify the selected gatekeepers. Their total of 212 is explicitly tied to their genealogical registration within their ancestral villages.
The thread — This roster directly precedes 1 Chronicles 9:23, which states that these men and their descendants were assigned to guard the gates of the house of the LORD. The appointment by David and Samuel aligns with the Chronicler’s systematic documentation of temple personnel in 1 Chronicles 9:31.
Why it lands — The verse states a fixed number of vetted officials and their genealogical verification before noting their royal and prophetic commissioning. A reader must acknowledge that the text grounds sacred service in documented lineage, formal selection, and authorized appointment.
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
All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)
- 1 Chronicles 23:1 When David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 9:31 A Levite named Mattithiah, the firstborn son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the bread.
- 1 Chronicles 28:13 for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD:
- 1 Chronicles 9:16 Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.
- 1 Chronicles 9:25 Their relatives came from their villages at fixed times to serve with them for seven-day periods.
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
- 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 28:21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of every skill will be at your disposal for the work. The officials and all the people are fully at your command.”
- 2 Chronicles 31:15 Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.