1 Chronicles 9:22

KJV

All these [which were] chosen to be porters in the gates [were] two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.

KJV (with Strong's)

All these which were chosen {H1305} to be porters {H7778} in the gates {H5592} were two hundred {H3967} and twelve {H8147}{H6240}. These were reckoned by their genealogy {H3187} in their villages {H2691}, whom {H1992} David {H1732} and Samuel {H8050} the seer {H7200} did ordain {H3245} in their set office {H530}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All these chosen to be gatekeepers numbered 212. Their genealogies were recorded in their towns; they had been appointed to their positions by David and Sh'mu'el the seer.

Berean Standard Bible

The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.

American Standard Version

All these that were chosen to be porters in the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their office of trust.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Chronicles 9:22 meticulously details the selection and ordination of the Levitical porters, or gatekeepers, chosen for service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It specifies their precise number (212), emphasizes their genealogical reckoning as the basis for their appointment, and highlights the foundational authority of King David and Samuel the seer in establishing their crucial and enduring office within Israel's worship structure. This verse underscores the divine order and meticulous administration inherent in God's design for sacred service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles 9, a pivotal chapter that bridges the extensive genealogies of chapters 1-8 with the narrative account of Saul and David beginning in chapter 10. Chapter 9 specifically focuses on the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, detailing those who returned and were re-established in their roles, particularly emphasizing the priests, Levites, and temple servants. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, meticulously records these details to assure the continuity of divine appointments and the restoration of proper worship. Verse 22, by specifically mentioning the porters, reinforces the comprehensive re-establishment of all aspects of temple service, from the most prominent to the seemingly humble, underscoring that every role was vital to the functioning of God's house. The preceding verses (e.g., [1 Chronicles 9:17-21](/1_chronicles/9-17 "1 Chronicles 9:17-21 - The Porters' Duties")) provide a list and general description of the porters' duties, making verse 22 a summary statement about their foundational establishment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The post-exilic period (after 538 BC) was marked by a fervent desire to re-establish the religious and social structures of Israel. Genealogy was paramount in this era, not merely for social standing but crucially for validating claims to priestly and Levitical service, as seen in books like [Ezra](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The Return from Exile") and [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - Register of Those Who Returned"). Only those who could prove their lineage were permitted to serve in sacred capacities. The role of "porters" or "gatekeepers" was far more significant than a mere doorkeeper in ancient Near Eastern societies. Temple gates were points of control, security, and administration. Gatekeepers were responsible for maintaining order, regulating access to sacred spaces, guarding treasuries ([1 Chronicles 26:20-28](/1_chronicles/26-20 "1 Chronicles 26:20-28 - Treasuries and Porters")), and sometimes even managing offerings. The mention of David and Samuel underscores the deep historical roots and divine sanction for this office, linking the post-exilic restoration directly to the foundational era of Israel's monarchy and prophetic leadership.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several key themes central to the Chronicler's message. First, **Divine Order and Administration** is paramount; the meticulous counting and genealogical reckoning of the porters underscore God's desire for precision and structure in His worship and among His people. Every role, from the priests to the porters, was precisely defined and organized, reflecting a divinely ordained system of [Levitical service](/1_chronicles/23-6 "1 Chronicles 23:6 - David Organizes the Levites"). Second, **Appointed Authority** is emphasized by the fact that "David and Samuel the seer did ordain" these porters. [Samuel, as God's prophet](/1_samuel/9-9 "1 Samuel 9:9 - Samuel the Seer"), and David, as the king chosen by God, established foundational structures for Israel's spiritual life, lending divine legitimacy and permanence to the porters' office. Third, **Faithfulness in Service**, even in seemingly humble roles, is implicitly valued. The porters' duties were vital for maintaining the sanctity, security, and smooth operation of the Tabernacle and Temple, ensuring the integrity of Israel's worship life. This continuity of service from ancient times through the exile and into the restoration demonstrates God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people and their roles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Porters (Hebrew, _sho'arim'_):** This term refers to "gatekeepers" or "doorkeepers." However, their role was far more comprehensive than simply opening and closing doors. They were custodians of the sacred space, responsible for security, preventing unauthorized entry, maintaining order, and often overseeing the delivery and storage of offerings and sacred vessels. Their duties were critical for preserving the sanctity and functionality of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
* **Reckoned (Hebrew, _yachas'_):** This verb means "to be enrolled by genealogy," "to be registered," or "to be traced by lineage." It emphasizes the meticulous and official process of verifying the porters' ancestry, ensuring they belonged to the designated Levitical families (specifically the Korahites, Merarites, and others mentioned in [1 Chronicles 9:19-21](/1_chronicles/9-19 "1 Chronicles 9:19-21 - The Families of Porters")) who were divinely appointed for this service. This genealogical verification was crucial for legitimate service in post-exilic Israel.
* **Ordain (Hebrew, _yasad'_):** This word means "to found," "to establish," "to lay a foundation," or "to appoint permanently." It signifies more than a mere temporary assignment. When David and Samuel "ordained" the porters, they were not just giving them a job; they were establishing a permanent, divinely sanctioned office within the Levitical structure. This act gave the porters' role enduring legitimacy and importance, rooted in the earliest days of organized worship under the monarchy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All these [which were] chosen to be porters in the gates [were] two hundred and twelve":** This clause provides a precise numerical detail, emphasizing the specific and organized nature of the porters' corps. The number 212 indicates a substantial, dedicated group, reflecting the significant responsibilities they held in managing access and security for the sacred precincts. The phrase "chosen to be porters" highlights their selection for a specific, divinely appointed function.
* **"These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages":** This part stresses the critical importance of lineage for eligibility. Their appointment was not arbitrary but based on their verified tribal and family connections, ensuring they belonged to the Levitical families designated for this service. The mention of "their villages" suggests that while they served in Jerusalem, their roots and identity remained tied to their ancestral homes, from which they were summoned for duty.
* **"whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office":** This final clause underscores the authoritative and foundational nature of the porters' role. The joint mention of King David, the organizer of Israel's worship, and Samuel, the revered prophet and "seer" (a term emphasizing his prophetic insight and divine communication), signifies that the establishment of this office carried both royal and prophetic, thus divine, sanction. Their actions laid the permanent "foundation" (from _yasad_) for this essential and enduring service.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler's account in 1 Chronicles 9:22 employs several literary devices to convey its message. There is a strong use of **Precision and Detail**, particularly in the exact number "two hundred and twelve" and the mention of "genealogy," which lends an air of historical accuracy and divine meticulousness to the record. The inclusion of "David and Samuel the seer" serves as an **Appeal to Authority**, grounding the post-exilic re-establishment of the porters' office in the revered figures of Israel's foundational history, thereby legitimizing and sanctifying their role. This also highlights **Continuity**, demonstrating that the worship practices being restored in the Chronicler's day were not new inventions but a faithful continuation of divinely instituted traditions. Finally, the focus on a seemingly humble role like "porters" within a detailed genealogical and administrative record implies a subtle **Emphasis on the Value of All Service** within God's household, suggesting that even the gatekeepers played a crucial, divinely ordained part in the overall sacred order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 9:22 profoundly illustrates God's meticulousness and His desire for order in worship and community life. The detailed accounting of the porters, their genealogical verification, and their ordination by foundational figures like David and Samuel reveal that no aspect of sacred service is insignificant in God's eyes. This verse speaks to the divine principle that every role, no matter how humble it may seem, is vital to the functioning of God's house and contributes to the overall glory of His kingdom. It emphasizes the importance of proper authority and divine appointment in establishing and maintaining spiritual order, ensuring that service is not based on human whim but on God's established design. It also highlights the theme of continuity and restoration, assuring the post-exilic community that their re-established worship was a faithful continuation of ancient, divinely sanctioned practices.

* [Numbers 3:28](/numbers/3-28 "Numbers 3:28 - Merarite Duties")
* [1 Corinthians 12:18](/1_corinthians/12-18 "1 Corinthians 12:18 - God Arranges the Body")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Ministry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, seemingly a dry historical detail, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that He values every single person and every single role within His kingdom. Just as the porters were meticulously chosen and ordained for their specific, vital duties, so too are believers called and gifted for various ministries within the body of Christ. No task for the Lord is truly "small" or "insignificant" if it is done faithfully and contributes to the overall health and mission of the church. We are encouraged to embrace our unique callings with diligence and humility, recognizing that our service, whether visible or behind the scenes, is part of God's grand design. This passage also underscores the importance of godly leadership in establishing and maintaining order, ensuring that ministries are founded on divine principles and not merely human preferences, fostering an environment where all members can serve effectively and purposefully.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gatekeeping" roles, visible or unseen, do I play in my spiritual community, and how can I perform them with greater faithfulness?**
* **How does the emphasis on genealogy and ordination by David and Samuel inform my understanding of spiritual authority and continuity in the church today?**
* **In what ways might I be underestimating the importance of seemingly "humble" or "behind-the-scenes" roles within the body of Christ?**
* **How does God's meticulousness in organizing the porters encourage me about His care and intentionality in my own life and calling?**

### FAQ
**Why was genealogy so important for the porters, and for temple service in general?**

Answer: Genealogy was critically important for several reasons. First, it ensured the purity and legitimacy of the sacred offices. Only specific Levitical families were divinely appointed to serve in the Tabernacle and Temple, and genealogical records proved their rightful lineage. This prevented unauthorized individuals from performing sacred duties, which could be seen as an affront to God's holiness. Second, it maintained continuity. By tracing lineage, the post-exilic community could demonstrate that their re-established worship practices were a direct continuation of the divinely ordained system from ancient times, linking them back to the original commands given through Moses and the organization established by David. This was crucial for establishing identity and authority in a period of restoration, as seen in books like [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - Register of Those Who Returned") and [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - Register of Those Who Returned").

**What were the specific duties of the porters beyond simply opening and closing gates?**

Answer: The porters' duties were far more extensive and crucial than mere doorkeeping. They were responsible for the security of the temple precincts, ensuring that only authorized individuals entered the various sacred areas. They maintained order among the worshippers, managed the flow of people and offerings, and guarded the temple treasuries, which held not only money but also sacred vessels and offerings ([1 Chronicles 26:20-28](/1_chronicles/26-20 "1 Chronicles 26:20-28 - Treasuries and Porters")). Some porters also had responsibilities related to the preparation of offerings and the care of the temple vessels, as indicated in [1 Chronicles 9:29-30](/1_chronicles/9-29 "1 Chronicles 9:29-30 - Porters' Duties with Vessels"). Their role was administrative, security-related, and deeply intertwined with the sacredness and proper functioning of Israel's worship life.

**Why are David and Samuel mentioned together as ordaining the porters?**

Answer: The joint mention of David and Samuel is highly significant because it combines the two primary sources of authority in ancient Israel: the monarchy (David) and the prophetic office (Samuel). Samuel, as "the seer" ([1 Samuel 9:9](/1_samuel/9-9 "1 Samuel 9:9 - Samuel the Seer")), represented God's direct revelation and prophetic guidance. David, as the divinely chosen king, represented the implementation and organization of God's will within the nation. Their combined authority meant that the establishment of the porters' office was not merely a human administrative decision but a divinely sanctioned and foundational act. This underscores the enduring legitimacy and importance of the porters' role, rooted in the earliest and most authoritative figures of Israel's organized worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous organization of the porters and their role in safeguarding access to God's presence in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The porters stood at the gates, controlling who entered and ensuring the sanctity of the holy place. In the New Covenant, Jesus declares, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved" ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")). He is the ultimate "gate" or "way" to God, providing direct and unhindered access to the Father, a privilege once restricted and guarded by human porters. The elaborate system of temple service, including the porters' duties, pointed forward to Christ, who, through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, tore the veil separating humanity from God ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Torn Veil")) and became our High Priest and the very means of our approach to God ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Furthermore, just as David and Samuel ordained specific roles, Christ, as the head of the church, establishes and gifts believers for various ministries within His body ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Church")), transforming us into a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")) who now have direct access to God and are called to serve Him in every aspect of our lives, no longer needing human gatekeepers to mediate our access to the divine presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 9:9

(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

1 Chronicles 23:1

¶ So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

1 Chronicles 23:32

And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy [place], and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:13

Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:21

And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment.

Nehemiah 12:44

¶ And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

1 Chronicles 25:1

¶ Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: