1 Chronicles 26:19
New International Version
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

New Living Translation
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the clans of Korah and Merari.

English Standard Version
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

Berean Standard Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

Berean Literal Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of the Korahite and among the sons of Merari.

King James Bible
These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

New King James Version
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.

New American Standard Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.

NASB 1995
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.

NASB 1977
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.

Legacy Standard Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.

Amplified Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

Berean Annotated Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah (one of Korah) and Merari (bitter).

Christian Standard Bible
Those were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the descendants of the Korahites and Merarites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the sons of the Korahites and Merarites.

American Standard Version
These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

Contemporary English Version
These were the guard duties assigned to the men from the clans of Korah and Merari.

English Revised Version
These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among Korah's and Merari's descendants.

Good News Translation
This is the assignment of guard duty to the clan of Korah and the clan of Merari.

International Standard Version
These were the ranks of trustees assigned among the descendants of Korah and the sons of Merari.

NET Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

New Heart English Bible
These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

Webster's Bible Translation
These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

World English Bible
These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
These are the divisions of the gatekeepers, of the sons of the Korahite, and of the sons of Merari.

Berean Literal Bible
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of the Korahite and among the sons of Merari.

Young's Literal Translation
These are the courses of the gatekeepers, of the sons of the Korhite, and of the sons of Merari.

Smith's Literal Translation
These the divisions of the gates to the sons of the Korahites, and to the sons of Merari.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These are the divisions of the porters of the sons of Core, and of Merari.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These are the divisions of the porters of the sons of Kohath and of Merari.

New American Bible
These were the classes of the gatekeepers, sons of Korah and Merari.

New Revised Standard Version
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
These are the divisions of the Gate Keepers of the sons of Qorah and of the sons of Marari.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These are the divisions of the porters for the sons of Core, and to the sons of Merari.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Divisions of the Gatekeepers
18As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court. 19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

Cross References
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers

2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.

1 Chronicles 9:17-27
These were the gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their chief; / he was previously stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites. / Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives from the Korahites were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their fathers had been assigned to guard the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD. …

Nehemiah 12:25-26
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. / They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.
who were descendants of Korah

1 Chronicles 6:31-38
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them. / These are the men who served, together with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, …

2 Chronicles 20:19
And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice.

Numbers 26:11
However, the line of Korah did not die out.
and Merari.

Numbers 3:33-37
From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. / The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200. / The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. …

Numbers 4:29-33
As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them by their clans and families, / from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting. / This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases, …

1 Chronicles 6:44-47
On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, / the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, / the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, …
1 Chronicles 9:22-24
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. / So they and their descendants were assigned to guard the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the Tent. / The gatekeepers were stationed on the four sides: east, west, north, and south.

1 Chronicles 23:1-5
When David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel. / Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. / The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. …

1 Chronicles 24:1-5
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. …

1 Chronicles 25:1-8
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. …

2 Chronicles 23:18-19
Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David. / He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter.

2 Chronicles 31:14-15
Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God, distributing the contributions to the LORD and the consecrated gifts. / Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.

Nehemiah 12:24-26
The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. / Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. / They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.


Treasury of Scripture

These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

Numbers 16:11
For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

Korah

Jump to Previous
Courses Descendants Divisions Doorkeepers Door-Keepers Gatekeepers Korah Korahites Ko'rahites Kore Korhite Merari Merar'i Porters
Jump to Next
Courses Descendants Divisions Doorkeepers Door-Keepers Gatekeepers Korah Korahites Ko'rahites Kore Korhite Merari Merar'i Porters
1 Chronicles 26
1. The divisions of the porters
13. The gates assigned by lot
20. The Levites that had charge of the treasures
29. Officers and judges












These were the divisions of the gatekeepers
The gatekeepers were responsible for maintaining the security and order of the temple, a role of significant importance in ancient Israel. Their duties included guarding the entrances, managing the flow of people, and ensuring that only those who were ceremonially clean could enter. This role reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation, as seen in Leviticus 10:10, where the priests are instructed to distinguish between the holy and the common. The division of labor among the gatekeepers ensured that the temple functioned smoothly and that worship could proceed without disruption.

who were descendants of Korah
The mention of Korah is significant, as Korah was a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron in Numbers 16. Despite this, his descendants were not only spared but also given important roles in temple service, demonstrating God's grace and redemption. The Korahites became known for their musical contributions to temple worship, as seen in the Psalms attributed to the sons of Korah (e.g., Psalm 42, 44-49). This transformation from rebellion to service highlights the theme of redemption and the possibility of restoration within God's covenant community.

and Merari
Merari was one of the three sons of Levi, the others being Gershon and Kohath. The Merarites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle's structural elements, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases, as detailed in Numbers 3:36-37. Their inclusion in the divisions of the gatekeepers underscores the comprehensive involvement of the Levites in the service of the temple. This reflects the broader biblical principle of each member of the community having a specific role and function, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where Paul describes the church as the body of Christ, with each part contributing to the whole.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Korahites
Descendants of Korah, a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses but whose descendants were later given roles in temple service, including gatekeeping.

2. Merarites
Descendants of Merari, one of the sons of Levi, who were assigned specific duties related to the tabernacle and later the temple.

3. Gatekeepers
Levites assigned to guard the gates of the temple, ensuring the sanctity and order of the worship space.

4. Divisions
The organized groups or courses of gatekeepers, indicating a structured and orderly approach to temple service.

5. Temple Service
The broader context of the roles and responsibilities within the temple, highlighting the importance of worship and order in the life of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Order in Worship
The divisions of gatekeepers highlight the need for order and structure in worship, ensuring that everything is done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

God's Redemption and Purpose
Despite Korah's rebellion, his descendants were given a significant role in temple service, illustrating God's redemptive purposes and the opportunity for restoration.

Faithfulness in Assigned Roles
The gatekeepers' dedication to their duties serves as a model for faithfulness in whatever role God assigns us, whether seen or unseen.

Guarding the Sacred
Just as the gatekeepers protected the temple, believers are called to guard their hearts and the purity of the church community.

Unity in Diversity
The various divisions and roles within the temple service reflect the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, where each member has a unique and valuable contribution.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 26:19?

2. How does 1 Chronicles 26:19 emphasize the importance of organized temple service today?

3. What roles do "Korahites and Merarites" play in maintaining church functions now?

4. How can we apply the orderliness of 1 Chronicles 26:19 in church ministries?

5. What scriptural connections exist between 1 Chronicles 26:19 and New Testament church leadership?

6. How does 1 Chronicles 26:19 inspire us to serve faithfully in our roles?

7. What is the significance of the divisions of the gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 26:19?

8. How does 1 Chronicles 26:19 reflect the organization of temple duties?

9. Why were gatekeepers important in the context of 1 Chronicles 26:19?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 26?

11. 1 Chronicles 26:1 compared to 1 Chronicles 9:17: Do these genealogies for the gatekeepers align, or do they present contradictory lists?

12. 1 Chronicles 26:1-32: Is the meticulous organizational structure for guarding and treasuries historically plausible, or is it an idealized religious account?

13. In 1 Chronicles 1:19, does the mention of 'division' in Peleg's time imply a global geological event that contradicts modern science?

14. 1 Chronicles 26:13-19: How realistic are the high numbers of gatekeepers given the estimated population sizes of ancient Israel?
What Does 1 Chronicles 26:19 Mean
These were the divisions

The chronicler points to an ordered system set up under David.

• God values structure among His people, just as He arranged priestly “divisions” earlier (1 Chronicles 24:1–19; Luke 1:5).

• Such divisions protected worship from chaos, ensuring every duty in the temple was covered at the right time (1 Corinthians 14:40).

• The verse reminds us that obedience includes honoring God-given organization (Romans 13:1).


of the gatekeepers

Gatekeepers guarded temple entrances, kept sacred spaces holy, and directed worshippers (1 Chronicles 9:17–27).

• Their role paralleled the Levites who cared for the tabernacle entrances in Moses’ day (Numbers 1:50–53).

• Spiritually, believers today are called to “stand watch” over doctrine and community life (Acts 20:28–31; 2 Timothy 1:14).

• The post required trustworthiness, vigilance, and humility—traits God still expects of those watching over His house (1 Peter 5:2–4).


who were descendants

Lineage mattered because God had assigned temple duties by family (Numbers 3:5–10).

• Descent confirmed legitimacy; no outsider could claim the office (2 Chronicles 23:6).

• This safeguards purity of worship, prefiguring how Christ’s priesthood rests on His perfect, God-appointed lineage (Hebrews 7:14–17).

• God’s faithfulness spans generations, fulfilling promises made centuries earlier (Exodus 6:24; Psalm 100:5).


of Korah and Merari

The sons of Korah—descendants of Levi through Kohath—and the sons of Merari formed two Levite branches (Exodus 6:16–24).

• Though Korah once led a rebellion (Numbers 16:1–35), his line was spared and later honored in temple service (Numbers 26:11; Psalm 84:title), highlighting God’s mercy and redemption.

• Merari’s descendants handled heavy tabernacle framework (Numbers 4:29–33); now they guard its permanent counterpart, the temple—showing continuity of calling across settings.

• Combining both families for gatekeeping united different Levitical clans in one common mission (1 Chronicles 26:1–19), illustrating how diverse gifts serve one purpose (1 Corinthians 12:4–7).


summary

1 Chronicles 26:19 showcases God’s orderly design: specific families, redeemed from past failures, faithfully guard His house. The verse teaches that structure, faithful lineage, and redeemed service work together to protect pure worship, calling every believer to watchfulness and humble obedience in the tasks God assigns.

(19) These are the divisions of the porters.--These are the courses of the porters, belonging to the sons of the Korhite, and to the sons of Merari. This concluding remark proves that only the Kohathite and Merarite divisions of Levi had part in the duty of Temple-warders. The Gershonites were not represented among the porters (see 1Chronicles 26:1; 1Chronicles 26:10).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These [were]
אֵ֗לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

the divisions
מַחְלְקוֹת֙ (maḥ·lə·qō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4256: Division, course

of the gatekeepers
הַשֹּׁ֣עֲרִ֔ים (haš·šō·‘ă·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7778: A gatekeeper

who were descendants
לִבְנֵ֥י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Korah
הַקָּרְחִ֖י (haq·qā·rə·ḥî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7145: Korahites -- descendant of Korah

[and]
וְלִבְנֵ֥י (wə·liḇ·nê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

Merari.
מְרָרִֽי׃ (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 26:19 These were the divisions of the doorkeepers (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 26:18
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