2 Chronicles 23:19

KJV

And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none [which was] unclean in any thing should enter in.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he set {H5975} the porters {H7778} at the gates {H8179} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, that none which was unclean {H2931} in any thing {H1697} should enter in {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He stationed guards at the gates of the house of ADONAI, so that no one who was unclean in any respect could enter

Berean Standard Bible

He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that nothing unclean could enter for any reason.

American Standard Version

And he set the porters at the gates of the house of Jehovah, that none that was unclean in anything should enter in.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the restoration of the Davidic monarchy and the covenant under the priest Jehoiada, 2 Chronicles 23:19 details a crucial step in the purification and re-establishment of proper worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. It describes Jehoiada's strategic placement of porters, specifically Levites, at the gates of the Lord's house. Their vital role was to strictly regulate access, ensuring that no individual deemed ritually unclean, according to the Mosaic Law, could enter the sacred precincts, thereby safeguarding the sanctity and holiness of God's dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Jehoiada's profound reforms after the six-year tyrannical and idolatrous reign of Queen Athaliah. Having successfully orchestrated the coup that overthrew Athaliah and installed the rightful heir, Joash, as king, Jehoiada immediately turned his attention to purging the land of Baal worship and restoring the covenant relationship between God, the king, and the people, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 23:16](/2_chronicles/23-16 "2 Chronicles 23:16 - Jehoiada's Covenant with God, King, and People"). The preceding verses describe the destruction of the house of Baal and its altars, and the killing of Mattan, Baal's priest ([2 Chronicles 23:17](/2_chronicles/23-17 "2 Chronicles 23:17 - Destruction of Baal Worship")). Immediately following this, Jehoiada reinstated the temple service, assigning duties to the priests and Levites according to David's ordinances ([2 Chronicles 23:18](/2_chronicles/23-18 "2 Chronicles 23:18 - Restoration of Temple Service")). Verse 19, therefore, highlights a specific, critical aspect of this restoration: the meticulous control of access to the holy sanctuary, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity for maintaining God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described is post-Athaliah's reign, a time of significant spiritual decline and syncretism in Judah, where Baal worship had gained a foothold. Jehoiada's actions represent a decisive return to the Mosaic covenant and the established worship practices of Yahweh. The Temple in Jerusalem was not merely a building but the dwelling place of God's presence, the very center of Israelite religious and national identity. Ritual purity laws, detailed extensively in the Pentateuch (e.g., [Leviticus 11-15](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11-15 - Laws of Purity and Impurity") and [Numbers 5](/numbers/5 "Numbers 5 - Laws Concerning Uncleanliness")), were fundamental to maintaining the sanctity of this space and the people's relationship with a holy God. Porters, typically Levites from specific families (e.g., Korahites, Merarites), were designated guardians of the Temple gates, responsible for security, order, and enforcing these purity regulations. Their role was crucial in preventing the defilement of the sacred space, which was believed to provoke divine displeasure and withdrawal of God's favor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes central to the book of Chronicles and Old Testament theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Holiness of God and His Sanctuary**, emphasizing that God's presence demands absolute purity and reverence. The Temple was consecrated ground, and its sanctity had to be meticulously preserved. Secondly, it illustrates the theme of **Order and Regulation in Worship**. Jehoiada's reforms were not arbitrary but a restoration of divinely ordained protocols for worship, contrasting sharply with the chaos and idolatry of Athaliah's reign. The porters represent the institutionalized structure necessary for maintaining proper worship. Thirdly, the verse speaks to the **Exclusion of Impurity** as a prerequisite for divine fellowship. The strict control over who could enter the Temple reinforced the theological principle that sin and defilement create a barrier between a holy God and an unholy people, necessitating purification or exclusion to maintain the covenant relationship. This concept of purity and separation is foundational to understanding Israel's unique identity as a people set apart for God, as seen throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Porters (Hebrew, _sho'arim'_):** These were specific individuals, primarily Levites, tasked with guarding the gates of the Temple. Their role was not merely security but also included ceremonial duties, such as admitting those who were clean and excluding those who were ritually impure. They were crucial in maintaining the sacred boundaries and the ritual integrity of the sanctuary, ensuring that only those permitted by Mosaic Law could enter. Their appointment by Jehoiada signifies a return to established, divinely ordained order in Temple service.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _tame'_):** This term refers to a state of ritual impurity, as defined by Mosaic Law, which temporarily disqualified an individual from participating in sacred rites or entering the sanctuary. Sources of impurity included contact with a dead body, certain skin diseases (like leprosy), bodily discharges, or touching specific animals. It was a ceremonial state, not necessarily a moral one, though moral sin could also render one impure. The exclusion was for the purpose of preserving the Temple's sanctity, not a permanent condemnation of the individual, who could become clean again through prescribed rituals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD,"**: "He" refers to Jehoiada, the high priest, who was the driving force behind the reforms. His action of "setting" (appointing, establishing) the porters highlights his authority and meticulous attention to restoring proper Temple function. The "porters" (Levitical gatekeepers) were strategically placed "at the gates" – the points of entry and exit – of the "house of the LORD," which is the Temple in Jerusalem. This emphasizes the critical control over access to the sacred space.
* **"that none [which was] unclean in any thing should enter in."**: This clause states the explicit purpose of the porters' appointment: to prevent any ritually defiled person from entering the Temple. The phrase "unclean in any thing" signifies a comprehensive exclusion based on any form of ritual impurity outlined in the Mosaic Law. This strict enforcement underscored the absolute holiness of God and the necessity of purity for drawing near to Him, reflecting the divine demand for separation from defilement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the Temple itself symbolizing God's holy presence among His people, and the gates representing the sacred boundary between the holy and the common. The porters are symbolic guardians of this divine holiness, embodying the strict requirements for approaching God. There is an implicit **Contrast** with the preceding reign of Athaliah, characterized by idolatry and disorder, highlighting Jehoiada's restoration of purity and divine order. The phrase "unclean in any thing" functions as a form of **Synecdoche**, where "unclean" stands for any person in a state of ritual impurity, encompassing a wide range of defiling conditions. This precise language underscores the comprehensive nature of the purity laws and the unwavering commitment to uphold the sanctity of God's dwelling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous enforcement of purity laws at the Temple gates in 2 Chronicles 23:19 reflects a foundational theological truth: God is holy, and His presence demands holiness and separation from defilement. This principle permeated Israelite worship and life, teaching the people that access to God was not automatic but conditional upon adherence to His covenant stipulations, particularly those concerning ritual purity. The physical exclusion of the unclean from the Temple served as a tangible reminder of the spiritual barrier that sin and impurity create between humanity and a holy God. It underscored the seriousness of defilement and the necessity of divine provision for cleansing and reconciliation. This Old Testament emphasis on external purity foreshadowed a deeper, internal purity required for true fellowship with God.

* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Holy and Common")
* [Numbers 5:2-3](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2-3 - Exclusion of the Unclean from the Camp")
* [Psalm 24:3-4](/psalm/24-3 "Psalm 24:3-4 - Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Temple and its specific ritual purity laws no longer apply in the same way under the New Covenant, the spiritual principles embedded in 2 Chronicles 23:19 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. We are called to recognize that God is still holy, and our access to Him, though now through Christ, still requires a commitment to purity and reverence. Just as the porters guarded the physical gates, we are called to guard the "gates" of our hearts and minds, ensuring that what we allow to enter and reside within us is consistent with our identity as God's dwelling place. This means actively pursuing spiritual holiness, guarding against sin, and cultivating a life that reflects the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, should be characterized by a pursuit of righteousness and a separation from the defilements of the world, not out of fear of exclusion, but out of love and reverence for the God who has made us clean.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, as a believer, serve as a "porter" guarding the sanctity of my own spiritual "temple" (my body and mind)?**
* **What "unclean" influences or practices might I be allowing into my life that hinder my fellowship with a holy God?**
* **How does the Old Testament emphasis on ritual purity deepen my appreciation for the complete cleansing and access we have through Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual purity and reverence in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "unclean in any thing" mean in the context of the Old Testament Temple?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, "unclean in any thing" refers to a state of ritual impurity, not necessarily moral sin. According to Mosaic Law, various conditions could render a person ritually unclean, such as contact with a dead body, certain skin diseases (like leprosy), specific bodily discharges, or touching certain animals or objects. These conditions were temporary, and a person could be purified through prescribed rituals (e.g., washing, sacrifices). While in this state, they were prohibited from entering the Temple or participating in sacred rites to prevent the defilement of God's holy dwelling place. This exclusion was not a punishment but a means of maintaining the sanctity of the sanctuary and the covenant relationship, as detailed in books like [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness") and [Numbers](/numbers/1 "Numbers - The Wilderness Journey").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The strict enforcement of purity laws at the Temple gates in 2 Chronicles 23:19, while seemingly a barrier, ultimately points forward to the perfect and ultimate access provided through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with its gates and porters, symbolized God's holy presence and the necessity of purity to approach Him. However, it also highlighted humanity's inherent inability to achieve perfect ritual purity on its own. Jesus, in His life, death, and resurrection, fulfills the very essence of the Temple and its requirements. He declared Himself to be the true Temple ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple")), through whom all access to God is now granted. His perfect sacrifice on the cross cleanses us not merely from ritual impurity but from the defilement of sin itself, making us truly clean and worthy to enter God's presence ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The torn veil in the Temple at His death ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Torn Veil")) symbolized the direct and unhindered access to the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God, now available to all believers through Christ's blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Boldness to Enter the Holiest")). We, as New Covenant believers, are now considered temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), called to live in spiritual purity, not by adhering to ceremonial laws, but by walking in the Spirit and guarding our hearts, knowing that our ultimate "porter" is Christ Himself, who has opened the way to the Father.

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 Chronicles 26:1

¶ Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites [was] Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

1 Chronicles 26:32

And his brethren, men of valour, [were] two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

1 Chronicles 9:22

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.

1 Chronicles 9:24

In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.