Lexical Summary Shalleketh: Gate of Shalleketh Original Word: שַׁלֶּכֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shalleketh The same as shalleketh; Shalleketh, a gate in Jerusalem -- Shalleketh. see HEBREW shalleketh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalak Definition "(gate of) casting forth," a temple gate on the W. side NASB Translation Shallecheth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שַׁלֶּ֫כֶת proper name of a temple-gate, west side (? Gate of casting forth; yet compare Kit); — 1 Chronicles 26:16. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence “...for Shuppim and Hosah it was the lot for the west, at the Gate of Shallecheth, on the ascending highway…” (1 Chronicles 26:16). Shallecheth appears a single time, designating one of the temple-mount gates divinely allotted to certain Levitical gatekeepers in David’s re-ordering of worship. Geographical and Architectural Context • Location. The text places the Gate of Shallecheth on the western side of the temple area, beside “the ascending highway.” Jewish tradition and archaeological opinion identify this highway with the great causeway that bridged the Tyropoeon Valley, linking the royal palace district of ancient Jerusalem to the western court of the temple. Sacred Service and Levitical Duty 1 Chronicles 26 catalogs the redistribution of gatekeeping under David’s reforms. These Levites were not mere sentries; they regulated access, safeguarded holiness, and oversaw storerooms and treasuries (1 Chronicles 26:20). The lot falling to Shuppim and Hosah at Shallecheth displays divine sovereignty (Proverbs 16:33) and illustrates how every ministry assignment—visible or obscure—comes ultimately from God. Their post combined mundane labor (disposing of waste) with spiritual stewardship (protecting the house of the LORD), reminding worshipers that holiness permeates all tasks done before God (Colossians 3:23). Theological Reflections • Purity and Separation. A gate for “casting out” evokes the continual need to expel uncleanness from the place where God dwells. It pictures the believer’s ongoing repentance and the church’s discipline that preserves corporate purity (1 Corinthians 5:7). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Faithful Obscurity. Few modern readers recognize Shallecheth, yet its guardians served in unwavering faithfulness. Ministry measured by obedience rather than prominence still pleases God. Messianic and New Testament Connections Jesus often used temple imagery to describe Himself (John 2:19). As “the gate” for the sheep (John 10:9), He fulfills every portal of access to God. Whereas Shallecheth removed defilement from an earthly court, Christ removes sin “once for all” (Hebrews 9:26), granting believers direct entrance into the heavenly sanctuary. Summary Shallecheth represents more than an obscure architectural detail. Situated on the western ascent, it united palace and temple, blended practical sanitation with sacred oversight, and symbolized removal of impurity. Its lone biblical mention invites reflection on faithful service, vigilant holiness, and the ultimate Gate—Jesus Christ—through whom the worshiper approaches the Father with confidence. Forms and Transliterations שַׁלֶּ֔כֶת שלכת šal·le·ḵeṯ šalleḵeṯ shalLechetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 26:16 HEB: עִ֚ם שַׁ֣עַר שַׁלֶּ֔כֶת בַּֽמְסִלָּ֖ה הָעוֹלָ֑ה NAS: by the gate of Shallecheth, on the ascending KJV: with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway INT: by the gate of Shallecheth highway the ascending 1 Occurrence |
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