The term "temple-keeper" refers to an individual or group responsible for the maintenance, protection, and service of a temple, particularly in the context of ancient religious practices. In the biblical context, the concept of temple-keeping is closely associated with the Levitical priesthood and the various roles assigned to the Levites in the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical Context

1. Levitical Priesthood: The tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Levites were given specific duties, including the care and maintenance of the sacred space. Numbers 3:6-8 states, "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle."

2. Duties and Responsibilities: The Levites were responsible for various tasks, including the transportation of the Tabernacle, the care of its furnishings, and the performance of rituals and sacrifices. 1 Chronicles 23:28-32 outlines their duties: "Their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and chambers, in the purification of all holy things, and in the work of the service of the house of God."

3. Temple Guards: Among the Levites, certain individuals were appointed as gatekeepers or guards of the Temple. These temple-keepers were responsible for the security and order of the sacred precincts. 1 Chronicles 9:22-24 describes their role: "In all, there were 212 chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds. 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 in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the Tent."

4. New Testament References: While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "temple-keeper," the concept of stewardship and service in the house of God is evident. Believers are described as a spiritual temple, with Christ as the cornerstone. 1 Peter 2:5 states, "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

5. Symbolic and Spiritual Implications: The role of temple-keeper extends beyond physical duties to encompass spiritual responsibilities. The care for God's dwelling place symbolizes the believer's duty to maintain purity and holiness in their own lives, as they are temples of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds believers, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, temple-keepers were common in various religious traditions. These individuals were often seen as intermediaries between the divine and human realms, entrusted with the sacred duty of maintaining the sanctity and order of the temple. The biblical model of temple-keeping, however, is distinct in its emphasis on holiness, covenantal relationship, and the unique role of the Levites as chosen servants of Yahweh.

The role of temple-keeper, as seen in the Bible, underscores the importance of dedicated service, reverence for the sacred, and the responsibility of God's people to uphold the sanctity of His dwelling place, whether in a physical structure or within the believer's heart.3511. neokoros -- a temple keeper
... a temple keeper. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: neokoros Phonetic
Spelling: (neh-o-kor'-os) Short Definition: temple-warden Definition: (lit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3511.htm - 6k

Excursus on the Minor Orders of the Early Church.
... He charged therefore with this service a freedman or slave." "In this case the sacellum
had two oeditui, the temple-keeper, originally called magister oedituus ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the minor orders.htm

Of Theodorus the Confessor.
... Lightfoot. [626] neokorous neokoros is the word rendered "worshipper" in Acts
19:35 by AV The RV has correctly "temple-keeper," the old derivation from koreo ...
/.../chapter vii of theodorus the confessor.htm

Acts xix. 21, 23
... town clerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there
that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlii acts xix 21.htm

Temple-keeper (1 Occurrence)
Temple-keeper. Temple, Temple-keeper. Temple-plunderers .
Multi-Version Concordance Temple-keeper (1 Occurrence). Acts ...
/t/temple-keeper.htm - 6k

Quieted (8 Occurrences)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/q/quieted.htm - 8k

Zeus (3 Occurrences)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/z/zeus.htm - 8k

Goddess (6 Occurrences)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/g/goddess.htm - 9k

Temple-plunderers (1 Occurrence)
Temple-plunderers. Temple-keeper, Temple-plunderers. Temple-robbers .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (DBY). Temple-keeper, Temple-plunderers. Temple-robbers > ...
/t/temple-plunderers.htm - 6k

Clerk (1 Occurrence)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/c/clerk.htm - 8k

Chemarim (1 Occurrence)
... 3:1; Hebrews 4:14, 15, and often) and in Acts 19:35 it is the rendering of neokoros
(the Revised Version (British and American) "temple-keeper," the King James ...
/c/chemarim.htm - 10k

Ar'temis (5 Occurrences)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/a/ar'temis.htm - 7k

Sacred (140 Occurrences)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/s/sacred.htm - 36k

Keeper (72 Occurrences)
... town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is
there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is templekeeper of the ...
/k/keeper.htm - 30k

What was the significance of gatekeepers in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was Zerubbabel's temple/the second temple? | GotQuestions.org

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