Nehemiah 11:19

KJV

Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, [were] an hundred seventy and two.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover the porters {H7778}, Akkub {H6126}, Talmon {H2929}, and their brethren {H251} that kept {H8104} the gates {H8179}, were an hundred {H3967} seventy {H7657} and two {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The gatekeepers: 'Akuv, Talmon and their kinsmen, who kept watch at the gates, numbered 172.

Berean Standard Bible

And the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates, who kept watch at the gates—172 men.

American Standard Version

Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 11:19 details the specific number of porters, or gatekeepers, assigned to Jerusalem after its walls were rebuilt and the city was repopulated following the Babylonian exile. This seemingly simple enumeration underscores the meticulous organization and commitment to security essential for the flourishing of the post-exilic community, highlighting the importance of every role, even those considered behind-the-scenes, in the divine plan of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 11 is situated within the broader narrative of Jerusalem's restoration after the Babylonian exile. Chapters 8-10 describe a profound spiritual revival, including the public reading of the Law by Ezra ([Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law")), a national day of confession and repentance ([Nehemiah 9](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9 - Confession and Covenant Renewal")), and a renewed covenant commitment. Following this spiritual renewal and the dedication of the rebuilt walls, there was a practical need to repopulate Jerusalem, which remained sparsely inhabited. Chapter 11 provides a detailed census of those who settled in the city, including leaders, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and specifically, the porters, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive organizational efforts required to establish a functional and secure capital.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Judah, under Persian imperial oversight, around the mid-5th century BC. Jerusalem, though rebuilt, was still vulnerable, and its gates were crucial for both defense and daily life. In ancient cities, gates were not merely entry points but served as centers for commerce, legal proceedings, and public gatherings. The role of "porters" or "gatekeepers" was therefore highly significant, encompassing not only security against external threats but also the regulation of internal order, control over who entered and exited, and sometimes the collection of tolls. The mention of specific names like Akkub and Talmon, who appear in earlier records (e.g., [1 Chronicles 9:17](/1_chronicles/9-17 "1 Chronicles 9:17 - Gatekeepers in Jerusalem") and [Ezra 2:42](/ezra/2-42 "Ezra 2:42 - Porters Returning from Exile")), suggests that gatekeeping was often a hereditary duty, passed down through families dedicated to the Temple and city service, highlighting a continuity of responsibility across generations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Nehemiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Order and Organization**, demonstrating Nehemiah's meticulous approach to rebuilding not just physical structures but also the social and administrative fabric of the community. The detailed enumeration of roles and personnel was crucial for the effective functioning of both the city and the Temple, reflecting God's character as a God of order. Secondly, it highlights **Faithfulness in Specific Roles**, emphasizing that every position, even one as seemingly mundane as gatekeeping, was vital for the city's security and sanctity. The porters' duty of "keeping the gates" was foundational to preventing unauthorized entry and ensuring proper access, illustrating that every contribution, no matter how humble, is significant in God's overall plan for His people. Lastly, the verse speaks to **Security and Protection**, a paramount concern for a newly re-established city. The presence of 172 porters signifies a serious commitment to safeguarding Jerusalem from external threats and maintaining internal discipline, a physical vigilance that spiritually symbolizes the need to guard against harmful influences within the community and individual lives, a theme echoed in the wisdom literature like [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Porters (Hebrew, שֹׁעֲרִים, _sho'arim'_):** This term literally means "gatekeepers" or "doorkeepers." In ancient Israel, these individuals held a crucial and often hereditary role, responsible for guarding the city gates and the entrances to the Temple complex. Their duties extended beyond mere security to include regulating access, maintaining order, and sometimes managing commerce or legal proceedings that took place at the gates.
* **Kept (Hebrew, שָׁמַר, _shamar'_):** This verb means "to guard," "to watch," "to preserve," or "to keep." When applied to the porters, it conveys a sense of active vigilance, responsibility, and protection. It implies a continuous, diligent effort to maintain the integrity and security of the gates, ensuring that only authorized individuals and activities occurred.
* **Gates (Hebrew, שַׁעַר, _sha'ar'_):** While referring to the physical entry points of the city, "gates" in ancient Near Eastern culture also carried profound symbolic weight. They represented points of access, control, authority, and public life. Decisions were made at the gates, justice was administered, and public announcements were made. Thus, "keeping the gates" was not just a physical task but a role imbued with significant social and civic responsibility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover the porters":** This introductory phrase shifts the focus to a specific category of personnel within the census of Jerusalem's inhabitants, highlighting their distinct and essential function in the city's organization.
* **"Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren":** The mention of specific names, Akkub and Talmon, personalizes the account and suggests prominent families or individuals associated with the gatekeeping service. The addition of "and their brethren" indicates that these named individuals represent a larger group, likely their extended families or clans, who collectively carried out this hereditary duty.
* **"that kept the gates":** This clause explicitly defines the primary function of this group. It underscores their responsibility for the security and controlled access of Jerusalem, emphasizing their role as guardians of the city's boundaries and entry points.
* **"[were] an hundred seventy and two":** This precise number provides a concrete detail, indicating the scale of the security operation and the significant human resources dedicated to this vital task. It reflects the meticulous administrative efforts of Nehemiah's leadership in ensuring the city's proper functioning and protection.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Enumeration**, a literary device characterized by the listing of items, names, or numbers. Here, it is used to provide precise details about the personnel involved in the repopulation and organization of Jerusalem, specifically the porters and their exact number. This enumeration lends a sense of historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness to the narrative. Additionally, there is a subtle use of **Synecdoche**, where the named individuals "Akkub, Talmon" represent the larger group of "their brethren," standing in for the entire company of gatekeepers. This personalization grounds the abstract number in concrete figures. The overall effect of these devices is to create an **Emphasis** on the meticulous order, careful planning, and significant human investment required for the successful restoration and security of Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 11:19, though a seemingly mundane administrative detail, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order and His concern for the practical well-being of His people. The meticulous organization and assignment of specific roles, even to those like the porters who served in less glamorous capacities, reveals that every function within God's community is vital and valued. It teaches that divine purposes are often accomplished through human diligence, accountability, and a commitment to structure. The physical guarding of Jerusalem's gates also serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual vigilance, emphasizing the need for believers to guard the "gates" of their hearts and minds against harmful influences, false teachings, and anything that would compromise their spiritual integrity or the sanctity of the community.

* [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - Many Members, One Body")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalm/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - The Lord Builds the House")
* [Ephesians 4:16](/ephesians/4-16 "Ephesians 4:16 - Growth of the Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, though specific to ancient Jerusalem, offers timeless principles for believers today. It reminds us that every role within the body of Christ, no matter how seemingly small or unnoticed, is indispensable for the health and mission of the church. Just as the porters were vital for Jerusalem's security and order, so too is every member's contribution essential to the spiritual and practical functioning of our communities of faith. We are called to embrace our God-given roles with faithfulness, understanding that even "behind-the-scenes" service contributes significantly to the overall flourishing of God's kingdom. Furthermore, the porters' vigilance in guarding physical gates serves as a powerful spiritual analogy: we are called to be vigilant "gatekeepers" of our own hearts and minds, carefully discerning what influences we allow to enter, and to guard the sanctity and purity of our homes, churches, and communities against harmful ideologies or practices. This requires spiritual discipline, discernment, and a commitment to order that reflects the character of our God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my perception of "important" roles within the church or community?**
* **In what ways am I called to be a "gatekeeper" in my own life, guarding what enters my mind and heart?**
* **How can I contribute to the order and security of my spiritual community, even in seemingly small ways?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a specific number (172) mentioned for the porters?**

Answer: The mention of a precise number (172) highlights the meticulous administrative detail and organizational efforts undertaken by Nehemiah and the leaders of the post-exilic community. It underscores the importance of accountability, order, and thoroughness in the repopulation and management of Jerusalem. This level of detail reflects a commitment to ensuring that every vital function, especially security, was adequately staffed and managed. It also serves as a testament to the practical commitment to rebuilding not just structures, but a functioning, secure society, mirroring God's own character as a God of order and precision. Such detailed records were common in ancient censuses and administrative documents, reflecting a commitment to thoroughness and divine oversight in the restoration process, ensuring that the city was not only rebuilt but also properly managed and protected, as seen in the broader context of [Nehemiah 11](/nehemiah/11 "Nehemiah 11 - Repopulation of Jerusalem").

**What was the broader significance of "keeping the gates" in ancient Israel beyond mere security?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite cities, the gates were far more than just entry and exit points. They were bustling centers of public life, serving multiple crucial functions. The city gate was often the primary place for commerce and trade, where goods were exchanged and markets thrived. It was also the seat of justice, where elders and judges would convene to hear disputes and administer legal rulings (e.g., [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4-1-12 "Ruth 4:1-12 - Boaz at the Gate")). Public announcements were made at the gates, and it was a common gathering place for social interaction and news. Therefore, "keeping the gates" involved not only physical security but also regulating all these aspects of civic life, maintaining order, and controlling who had access to the city's vital functions. This physical role can be seen as a powerful metaphor for spiritual vigilance, emphasizing the need to guard against harmful influences and to maintain integrity in all areas of life, as encouraged in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 11:19 details the physical gatekeepers of ancient Jerusalem, it subtly points to the ultimate "Gatekeeper" and "Gate" in the person of Jesus Christ. The diligence and faithfulness of Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren in guarding the city's access points foreshadow the perfect security and access provided by Christ. Jesus declares Himself to be the "door" or "gate" for the sheep, stating, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture" ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")). He is the sole means of entry into God's eternal kingdom and the source of true spiritual security. Just as the porters protected Jerusalem from external threats, Christ, our Good Shepherd, vigilantly guards His flock from spiritual enemies, ensuring that "no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand" ([John 10:29](/john/10-29 "John 10:29 - No One Can Snatch Them")). The meticulous order and security established in Nehemiah's time, though imperfect and temporal, point to the perfect, eternal order and protection found in the New Jerusalem, where "its gates shall not be shut at all by day (for there shall be no night there)" ([Revelation 21:25](/revelation/21-25 "Revelation 21:25 - Gates of New Jerusalem")), because the Lamb Himself is its light and security. The faithfulness of these humble gatekeepers in Nehemiah's day thus serves as a type, pointing to the ultimate faithfulness of Christ, who secured our eternal access and salvation through His perfect sacrifice and resurrection.

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 9:17

And the porters [were], Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum [was] the chief;

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.

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, an hundred thirty and eight.

Nehemiah 12:25

Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, [were] porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.

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.