Nehemiah 11:19
What does Nehemiah 11:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:19 means
The porters—Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren—numbered 172 and kept watch at the gates. Gatekeepers were crucial for both city and temple: controlling access, ensuring purity, and providing security. Naming leaders among them honors their vital, often unseen, service. Their vigilance protected worship from disorder and the city from threats. In a newly fortified Jerusalem, well-organized gatekeeping signaled a community alert to both spiritual integrity and practical safety. The specific numbering reflects accountable duty rosters, showing that even guardianship at the gates was structured and valued within the restored order.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In addition the door-keepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers who kept watch at the doors, were a hundred and seventy-two.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, those watching at the gates, <FI>are<Fi> a hundred seventy and two.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the porters, Accub, Telmon, and their brethren, who kept the doors: a hundred seventy-two.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the doorkeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred and seventy-two.
Context
After totaling Levites (v. 18), verse 19 identifies the gatekeepers by name and number, completing the temple service roster: priests, Levites, singers, and porters are all in place. With the temple-related personnel established, the narrative will widen its lens. Verses 20–21 will note where the rest of Israel, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim lived, balancing city and countryside. Then verses 22–24 will address oversight of the singers and royal provisions, concluding the city’s internal organization before turning to broader settlement lists (vv. 25–36).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 84:10
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
- Nehemiah 7:45
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, a hundred thirty and eight.
- 1 Chronicles 9:17
And the porters: Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren (Shallum was the chief),
- Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the watch at the store-houses of the gates.
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