Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 9:24
The gatekeepers were stationed on the four sides: east, west, north, and south.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Chronicler addresses post-exilic Judah by documenting the reorganization of sanctuary personnel following the return from Babylonian captivity. The narrative places the gatekeepers in their permanent posts at the temple’s perimeter.
The words — The text highlights רוּח֔וֹת (ru.Chot) = sides and מִזְרָ֥ח (miz.Rach) = east to establish the precise geographical orientation of the duty. These terms ground the assignment in literal cardinal directions rather than symbolic geography.
The thread — The immediate context in 1 Chronicles 9:23 establishes their permanent guard assignment, while 1 Chronicles 26:14 later details how specific individuals received lot assignments for those posts.
Why it lands — The text records a complete perimeter guard requiring systematic rotation rather than sporadic attendance. It asks the reader to recognize that sacred space demands structured, continuous human oversight.
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
In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 26:14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.