Topical Bible: Temple Keepers Servants

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of ancient Israel, the role of temple keepers and servants was integral to the maintenance and functioning of the sacred spaces dedicated to the worship of Yahweh. These individuals were responsible for various duties that ensured the smooth operation of the temple, allowing the priests to perform their religious obligations effectively.

Biblical References and Roles

The temple keepers and servants are often associated with the Levites, a tribe set apart for religious duties. While the priests, who were descendants of Aaron, performed the sacrifices and rituals, the Levites assisted in other essential tasks. Numbers 3:6-9 outlines the duties of the Levites: "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."

The Levites were responsible for the care and transportation of the tabernacle and its furnishings during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness (Numbers 4:1-33). As the temple in Jerusalem became the central place of worship, their roles evolved to include gatekeeping, singing, and other supportive functions (1 Chronicles 23:28-32).

Gatekeepers and Musicians

Gatekeepers were tasked with guarding the entrances to the temple, ensuring that only those who were ceremonially clean could enter (1 Chronicles 9:19-27). This role was crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the temple. The musicians, also Levites, played a significant role in worship, leading the congregation in song and praise (1 Chronicles 15:16-22). Their music was an essential part of temple ceremonies and festivals.

The Nethinim

In addition to the Levites, the Nethinim were a group of temple servants mentioned in the post-exilic period. The term "Nethinim" means "given ones," indicating their dedication to temple service. They are listed among those who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:43-58; Nehemiah 7:46-60). Their specific duties are not detailed extensively in Scripture, but they likely assisted the Levites in various tasks.

The Gibeonites

The origins of the Nethinim can be traced back to the Gibeonites, who, through deception, secured a covenant with Joshua and the Israelites (Joshua 9:3-27). As a result, they were assigned to be "woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD" (Joshua 9:27). This servitude was later formalized into temple service roles.

Spiritual Significance

The temple keepers and servants, though not as prominent as the priests, played a vital role in the religious life of Israel. Their work ensured that the temple remained a place of holiness and order, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. Their dedication and service exemplify the biblical principle that all roles, whether seen or unseen, contribute to the worship and honor of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of temple service is expanded to include all believers as part of a spiritual temple. 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." This passage highlights the continuity and transformation of temple service from a physical to a spiritual reality, where every believer participates in the worship and service of God.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Temple Keepers Servants

TEMPLE KEEPERS (SERVANTS)

After the conquest of Midian, "Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, that kept the charge of the tabernacle of Yahweh" (Numbers 31:47; compare 31:30). Similarly, after the deception of Joshua by the Gibeonites, "Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Yahweh, unto this day" (Joshua 9:27). The object of these notices, evidently, is to explain how a non-Israelitish class of sanctuary servants had taken their origin. Their existence at the time of Ezekiel, however, is the object of one of the latter's severest denunciations: "Ye have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to profane it..... And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things; but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves" (Ezekiel 44:7 f). In place of these servants or "keepers" Ezekiel directs that such Levites are to be employed as have been degraded from priestly privileges for participating in idolatrous worship. On them shall devolve all the various duties of the temple except the actual offering of sacrifices, which is reserved for "the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok" (44:10-15). For the use of this deposed class, "the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house," is reserved a special room in the inner court of the temple (40:44).

See , further, NETHINIM.

Burton Scott Easton

Library

Excursus on the Minor Orders of the Early Church.
... according to the rules of the temple, those persons ... also supplied with a body of
servants""the under ... the forerunners of the Church door-keepers and acolytes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the minor orders.htm

In his Father's House.
... When Jesus came into the Temple Court He saw something that ... Son in His Father's house
where the servants had been ... the cattle and sheep and their keepers out of ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter x in his fathers.htm

Whom to Obey, --Annas or Angel?
... we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without ... put in prison are standing
in the temple, and teaching ... If His servants are not delivered, it is not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/whom to obeyannas or angel.htm

Before Caiaphas
... supernatural vision told them by its keepers, in great ... children under the ruins of
their temple and their ... abandoned to the brutality of their servants, one of ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 53-65 before caiaphas.htm

The Jews Fight a Great Battle with Sabinus's Soldiers, and a Great ...
... of making innovations; for he compelled the keepers of the ... but on the multitude of
his own servants, all which ... one at the north side of the temple, another at ...
/.../chapter 3 the jews fight.htm

Reformation
... the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden God's servants. ... guardians of the
true worship, the keepers of the ... to them as they rebuilt the temple and the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 57 reformation.htm

The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was ...
... told to the king's captain of the temple, who came ... as a tumult was then made by his
servants, at their ... and with joy in his looks, besought his keepers, for a ...
/.../chapter 33 the golden eagle.htm

The Life of St. George Martyr
... to swallow me, like as thou hast the temple and my ... from heaven upon him and burned
him and all his servants. ... the wall of the chapel; and the keepers will not ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st george.htm

Delivered from Prison
... was withdrawn forever from the temple built to ... When the keepers before the door found
that ... apparently discouraging circumstances, God's servants are carrying on ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ...
... To the entrance of the Temple, but no farther, did ... the sake of pictorialness - the
other servants are introduced as ... of being handed over to such keepers of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xix the three last.htm