Ezra 2:42
Ezra 2:42 in Multiple Translations
The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 139 in all.
¶ The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine.
The children of the door-keepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, a hundred and thirty-nine.
the gatekeepers of the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, 139.
The sonnes of the porters: the sonnes of Shallum, the sonnes of Ater, the sonnes of Talmon, the sonnes of Akkub, the sonnes of Hatita, the sonnes of Shobai: all were an hundreth and nine and thirtie.
Sons of the gatekeepers; sons of Shallum, sons of Ater, sons of Talmon, sons of Akkub, sons of Hatita, sons of Shobai, the whole [are] a hundred thirty and nine.
The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.
The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine.
The children of the porters: the children of Sellum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Accub, the children of Hatita, the children of Sobai: in all a hundred thirty-nine.
139◄gatekeepers/men who guarded the gates of the temple► who were descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 2:42
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Ezra 2:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 2:42
Study Notes — Ezra 2:42
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
42The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 139 in all.
43The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth, 44the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Siaha, the descendants of Padon,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 7:45 | The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 138 in all. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 9:17 | These were the gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their chief; |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 26:1–19 | These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh. And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom. Also to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their families because they were strong, capable men. Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men. All these were descendants of Obed-edom; they and their sons and brothers were capable men with strength to do the work—62 in all from Obed-edom. Meshelemiah also had sons and brothers who were capable men—18 in all. Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first), Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah numbered 13 in all. These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their brothers did. They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. 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. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons. The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway fell to Shuppim and Hosah. There were guards stationed at every watch. Each day there were six Levites on the east, four on the north, four on the south, and two pairs at the storehouse. As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court. These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari. |
Ezra 2:42 Summary
Ezra 2:42 talks about the gatekeepers, who were responsible for watching over the temple entrances. There were 139 gatekeepers from different families, like the descendants of Shallum and Ater. This shows us that God cares about the details and wants us to work together to serve Him, just like the different parts of the body work together, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. By serving God in our own unique ways, we can be like the gatekeepers, helping to protect and preserve the purity of worship and community, as encouraged in Psalm 92:1-4 and Hebrews 10:24-25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the gatekeepers in Ezra 2:42?
The gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple, ensuring the purity and security of the worship space, as seen in 1 Chronicles 9:17-27 and Psalm 84:10.
Why are the descendants of specific families listed in Ezra 2:42?
The listing of specific families, such as the descendants of Shallum and Ater, highlights the importance of genealogy and family lineage in the biblical tradition, as also seen in Genesis 5:1-32 and 1 Chronicles 1-9.
How many gatekeepers were there according to Ezra 2:42?
There were 139 gatekeepers in total, according to Ezra 2:42, who were descended from the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai.
What can we learn from the organization and structure of the temple staff in Ezra 2:40-44?
The organization and structure of the temple staff, including the gatekeepers, Levites, and singers, demonstrate the importance of order, hierarchy, and teamwork in the service of God, as also emphasized in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Ephesians 4:11-16.
Reflection Questions
- What does the role of the gatekeepers teach us about the importance of guarding our hearts and minds against worldly influences, as warned in Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 15:18-20?
- How can we, like the gatekeepers, serve as guardians of our faith communities, protecting and preserving the purity of worship and doctrine, as exhorted in 1 Timothy 4:16 and 2 Timothy 4:2?
- What does the attention to detail in Ezra 2:42, including the specific family lineages, reveal about God's care and concern for His people, as also seen in Psalm 87:6 and Matthew 10:30?
- How can we apply the principles of organization and teamwork seen in Ezra 2:40-44 to our own service and ministry, as encouraged in Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 2:42
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 2:42
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 2:42
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 2:42
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 2:42
Sermons on Ezra 2:42
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
For the Courses of the Doorkeepers. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the vital role of doorkeepers in both the physical and spiritual realms, highlighting their responsibility to maintain the sanctity of the House of God and th |

