Bible Strands
2 Kings 11:6
a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple—
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehoiada issues orders to the temple guards and Levites to divide their Sabbath shifts into three groups for protecting the royal residence and the sanctuary.
The words — The text specifies the Hebrew term she-li-shit (שְׁלִשִׁית), meaning "third part," which dictates the exact fraction of the duty roster assigned to each guard post. It also uses raṣîm (רָצִים), literally "runners" or "guards," to identify the personnel stationed at the rear gate.
The thread — This threefold division of Sabbath guard duty appears in 2 Chronicles 23:4 and mirrors the lot-casting system for temple gates detailed in 1 Chronicles 26:13.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that sacred and royal security depend on structured, rotating obedience rather than spontaneous action.
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 a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 26:13 They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
- 2 Chronicles 23:4 This is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors,