1 chronicles 9:19 - Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brothers, of his father’s house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent. Their fathers had been over Yahweh’s camp, keepers of the entry.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 9:19

What does "1 chronicles 9:19" mean?


This verse from 1 Chronicles 9:19 describes the lineage and responsibilities of Shallum and his family, the Korahites, within the temple service. Let's break it down:

"Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah...": This traces Shallum's ancestry back to Korah. It's significant because Korah rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Numbers 16). However, later descendants of Korah were redeemed and given important roles in temple service.

"...and his brothers, of his father’s house, the Korahites...": This indicates that Shallum wasn't alone; he had brothers who shared in the family's duties. The phrase "Korahites" identifies them as descendants of Korah, forming a distinct family group with specific responsibilities.

"...were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent.": This is the key part. It states that Shallum and his brothers were in charge of the work related to the service (likely referring to the tabernacle or temple service) and specifically, they were "keepers of the thresholds of the tent." This likely means they were gatekeepers or guards at the entrances to the sanctuary. This was an important role, ensuring only authorized people entered the sacred space and maintaining order.

"Their fathers had been over Yahweh’s camp, keepers of the entry.": This highlights a historical precedent for their role. It states that their ancestors had held similar positions, guarding the entrance to "Yahweh's camp" - a reference to the tabernacle during the wilderness wanderings. This underscores the family's long-standing dedication and suitability for these responsibilities, indicating a tradition of guarding and protecting sacred spaces.

In summary, the verse describes Shallum and his brothers, descendants of Korah, who held important positions as gatekeepers or guards in the temple. It emphasizes their lineage and the historical responsibility of their family in guarding sacred spaces, both in the past (during the wilderness wanderings) and in the present (at the temple). This highlights the idea that even from a family with a problematic past, God can raise up faithful servants.

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