Bible Strands
Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah 12:25 appears in a post-exilian restoration roster that follows the description of alternating Levite choirs and precedes the chronological marker of their service under Nehemiah and Ezra. The passage functions as an administrative list rather than a narrative account.
The words — The text identifies six men as שֹׁמְרִים שְׁעָרִים (sho.me.Rim sho.'a.Rim), literally "gatekeepers" or "watchmen at the gates," who were assigned to guard temple storerooms. The names Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub are recorded without additional titles or actions.
The thread — The roster format aligns with the genealogical and administrative records in 1 Chronicles 9:14 and 1 Chronicles 26:12, which list Levitical lineages and divisional duties. It also connects to the broader priestly and Levitical service framework outlined in 1 Chronicles 23:32.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize that temple security and storage were assigned to named Levitical families rather than anonymous personnel. It establishes a pattern of documented accountability in post-exilic worship administration without elaborating on individual merit or 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
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 9:14 From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari;
- 1 Chronicles 23:32 So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 26:12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did.
- 1 Chronicles 26:15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons.
- Nehemiah 11:17 Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
- Nehemiah 12:8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who, with his associates, led the songs of thanksgiving.
- Isaiah 21:8 Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.