In biblical times, the role of a doorkeeper was both practical and symbolic, serving as a guardian of sacred spaces and a facilitator of worship. The term "doorkeeper" appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, highlighting its significance in the religious and communal life of ancient Israel.

Old Testament Context

The role of the doorkeeper is most prominently associated with the Levitical duties in the temple. In 1 Chronicles 9:19, the descendants of Korah are mentioned as gatekeepers of the tabernacle: "Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family, the Korahites, were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the tent just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD." This passage underscores the hereditary nature of the position and its importance in maintaining the sanctity of the worship space.

The doorkeepers were responsible for opening and closing the gates, ensuring that only those who were ceremonially clean could enter the temple precincts. Their duties were crucial for the orderly conduct of worship and the protection of the holy place from defilement.

Symbolic Significance

The role of the doorkeeper carries a deeper spiritual symbolism, representing vigilance and readiness. Psalm 84:10 expresses a profound desire for proximity to God, stating, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." This verse highlights the honor and privilege associated with even the humblest position in the service of God, emphasizing the value of being near to the divine presence.

New Testament References

While the specific term "doorkeeper" is not frequently used in the New Testament, the concept of watchfulness and readiness is echoed in Jesus' teachings. In Mark 13:34, Jesus uses the imagery of a doorkeeper in a parable about the end times: "It is like a man going on a journey, who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch." Here, the doorkeeper symbolizes the need for constant vigilance and preparedness for the Lord's return.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In the broader cultural context of the ancient Near East, doorkeepers were essential for the security and functioning of large households and public buildings. Their role extended beyond mere gatekeeping to include responsibilities such as managing access, maintaining order, and sometimes even acting as intermediaries between the household and the outside world.

Conclusion

The role of the doorkeeper in the Bible, while often humble, is imbued with significant spiritual meaning. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, readiness, and the privilege of serving in the presence of God. The doorkeeper's duties, both in the temple and in the teachings of Jesus, underscore the value of faithfulness and the honor of being entrusted with the care of sacred spaces.This word is used in Psalm 84:10 (R.V. marg., "stand at the threshold of, " etc.), but there it signifies properly "sitting at the threshold in the house of God." The psalmist means that he would rather stand at the door of God's house and merely look in, than dwell in houses where iniquity prevailed.

Persons were appointed to keep the street door leading into the interior of the house (John 18:16, 17; Acts 12:13). Sometimes females held this post.

(n.) One who guards the entrance of a house or apartment; a porter; a janitor.DOORKEEPER

dor'-kep-er (sho`er): The gates of an oriental city and of the temple courts so closely resembled the door of a house that the same Hebrew word was used for doorkeeper and gatekeeper. It is often translated by the less definite word "porter". In the preexilic writings (2 Samuel 18:26 2 Kings 7:10, 11) reference is made to porters at the gates of the cities Mahanaim and Samaria. In these early writings there is also mention of a small number of "keepers of the threshold" of the temple, whose duties included the gathering of money from the people for temple purposes, and the care of the sacred vessels (2 Kings 12:9; 2 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 23:4). They held an honorable position (2 Kings 25:18), and occupied chambers in the temple (Jeremiah 35:4). The same term is used to describe officers in the household of the king of Persia (Esther 2:21; Esther 6:2).

Differing from these "keepers of the threshold" in some respects are the doorkeepers or porters mentioned in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. These formed a numerous sacred order (1 Chronicles 9:22; 1 Chronicles 23:5) from the time of David. Their duties and the words describing them in two passages, "keepers of the thresholds" (1 Chronicles 9:19) and "porters of the thresholds" (2 Chronicles 23:4), connect them in some measure with the "keeper of the threshold" referred to above. They guarded the gates of the house of Yahweh (1 Chronicles 9:23), closing and opening them at the proper times (1 Chronicles 9:27) and preventing the unclean from entering the sacred enclosure (2 Chronicles 23:19); they had charge of the sacred vessels and of the free-will offerings (2 Chronicles 31:14), and dwelt in the chambers about the temple (1 Chronicles 9:27). They were Levites, and came in from the Levitical villages every seventh day for service in their turn (1 Chronicles 9:25). Their office was honorable, ranking with the singers, after the priests and Levites (Ezra 2:42 1 Chronicles 15:18).

In Psalm 84:10, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God," the word is not used in its technical sense. the Revised Version, margin gives "stand (the King James Version margin "sit") at the threshold," to an eastern mind a situation of deep humility (compare title of the Psalms and 1 Chronicles 9:19).

In the New Testament the order of temple doorkeepers is not referred to. But a doorkeeper (thuroros) is mentioned in connection with a private house (Mark 13:34), with the high priest's house (John 18:16, 17), and with sheep-folds (John 10:3), a maid serving as doorkeeper in some cases (Acts 12:13).

George Rice Hovey

2377. thuroros -- a doorkeeper
... a doorkeeper. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration: thuroros
Phonetic Spelling: (thoo-ro-ros') Short Definition: a door-keeper ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2377.htm - 6k8652. tara -- doorkeeper
... tara. 8653 . doorkeeper. Transliteration: tara Phonetic Spelling: (taw-raw') Short
Definition: doorkeepers. ... porter. (Aramaic) from tra'; a doorkeeper -- porter ...
/hebrew/8652.htm - 6k

466. Eliphelehu -- "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper
... Eliphelehu. 467 . "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper. Transliteration:
Eliphelehu Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-fe-lay'-hoo) Short Definition: Eliphelehu. ...
/hebrew/466.htm - 6k

7778. shoer -- a gatekeeper
... doorkeeper, porter. Or shomer {sho-are'}: active participle of sha'ar (as denominative
from sha'ar); a janitor -- doorkeeper, porter. see HEBREW sha'ar. ...
/hebrew/7778.htm - 6k

5605. saphaph -- to stand at or guard the threshold
... Word Origin denominative verb from saph Definition to stand at or guard the threshold
NASB Word Usage stand at the threshold (1). be a doorkeeper. ...
/hebrew/5605.htm - 6k

5592b. saph -- threshold, sill
... Word Origin from the same as saph Definition threshold, sill NASB Word Usage door
(1), doorkeeper* (1), doorkeepers* (4), gatekeepers* (1), temple (2 ...
/hebrew/5592b.htm - 5k

8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... careful (32), careful to keep (1), cares (1), charge (4), confine (1), confined
(1), defending (1), did (1), diligently keep (1), doorkeeper* (1), doorkeepers ...
/hebrew/8104.htm - 7k

2929. Talmon -- an Israelite name
... name NASB Word Usage Talmon (5). Talmon. From the same as chargol; oppressive; Talmon,
a temple doorkeeper -- Talmon. see HEBREW chargol. 2928, 2929. ...
/hebrew/2929.htm - 6k

2928. Telem -- an Israelite, also a place in the desert of Judah
... Telem. From an unused root meaning to break up or treat violently; oppression; Telem,
the name of a place in Idumaea, also of a temple doorkeeper -- Telem. ...
/hebrew/2928.htm - 6k

John Chapter x. 13-Nov
... Among the good, therefore, are the door, the doorkeeper, the shepherd, and the sheep:
among the bad, the thieves and robbers, the hirelings, and the wolf. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlvi john chapter x.htm

A Lesson in Courtesy
... courteous. This young man was an assistant doorkeeper in the capitol at
Washington. ... way.". "No, I can't," the doorkeeper answered. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a lesson in courtesy.htm

Whether There are Seven Orders?
... since (Decretals, Dist. xxi, cap. Cleros) the "psalmist" is reckoned as
the second Order after the doorkeeper. I answer that, Some ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are seven orders.htm

The Good Shepherd.
... At the doors of the large sheepfolds, where many thousands of sheep are protected,
a porter, or doorkeeper, remains on guard, and this doorkeeper will only ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the good shepherd.htm

John ix. 34-36
... Ver.2-4. "He that entereth in by the door, the same is the shepherd of the sheep;
to him the doorkeeper openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lix john ix 34-36.htm

Whether the Acts of the Orders are Rightly Assigned in the Text?
... But in opening and shutting doors the doorkeeper has no special power that other
men have not. Therefore this should not be reckoned their act. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the acts of the 2.htm

Blessed Trust
... The Psalmist goes on"'A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand; I had rather
be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/blessed trust.htm

Book Six Turmoil in the Twenties. ...
... memory of the saints, offerings of porridge, bread, and wine"as had been her custom
in Africa"and she was forbidden to do so by the doorkeeper [ostiarius]. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book six turmoil in the.htm

John Chapter x. 14-21
... and the robbers we have to beware of; who are the sheep, and what is the door whereby
both sheep and shepherd enter: how we are to understand the doorkeeper. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlvii john chapter x.htm

Discussion of the Saying of Peter.
... of the devil who caused him to stumble; and whether it is possible for any one to
deny Jesus, and that in presence of a little maid and a doorkeeper and men ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/40 discussion of the saying.htm

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DOORKEEPER. ... In Psalm 84:10, "I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God," the word is not used in its technical sense. ...
/d/doorkeeper.htm - 13k

Porter (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper;
one who waits at the door to receive messages. ... See DOORKEEPER. ...
/p/porter.htm - 11k

Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
... In 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in 1 Chronicles 15:24 a
"doorkeeper," while according to 1 Chronicles 26:4-8, 15 he is a Korahite ...
/o/obed-edom.htm - 15k

Obededom (15 Occurrences)
... In 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 Obed-edom is a "singer," and in 1 Chronicles 15:24 a
"doorkeeper," while according to 1 Chronicles 26:4-8, 15 he is a Korahite ...
/o/obededom.htm - 14k

Port (3 Occurrences)
... For some inscrutable reason the Revised Version (British and American) renders
sho`er by "doorkeeper" in 1 Chronicles 15-26, but not elsewhere. See DOORKEEPER. ...
/p/port.htm - 10k

Voluntary-offerings (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 31:14 And Kore the son of Jimnah the Levite, the doorkeeper toward
the east, was over the voluntary-offerings of God, to distribute the heave ...
/v/voluntary-offerings.htm - 7k

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)
... Some manuscripts have Zechariah in (1), (a), (b), (3)). Compare ZABDI; ZABDIEL:
(1) Levites: (a) a Korahite doorkeeper of David's reign (1 Chronicles 26:2); (b ...
/z/zebadiah.htm - 11k

Kore (4 Occurrences)
... See KORAH, 4. Shallum, Chief doorkeeper in the latest Bible times, is described
as "the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah" (1 Chronicles 9:19 ...
/k/kore.htm - 10k

Obed (13 Occurrences)
... (3) One of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:47). (4) A Korahite doorkeeper, son
of Shemaiah, and grandson of Obed-edom (1 Chronicles 26:7). (5) Father of ...
/o/obed.htm - 12k

Jimnah (4 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Chronicles 31:14 And Kore the son of Jimnah the Levite, the doorkeeper
toward the east, was over the voluntary-offerings of God, to distribute the heave ...
/j/jimnah.htm - 8k

Can the elect be deceived (Matthew 24:24)? | GotQuestions.org

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What did Jesus mean when He said “I am the door” (John 10:7)? | GotQuestions.org

Doorkeeper: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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