In biblical times, the term "warder" is not explicitly used in most English translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept of a warder, understood as a guard or keeper, is present throughout the Scriptures. Warders were responsible for the protection and oversight of various important locations and individuals, including city gates, prisons, and royal palaces.

Biblical Context and Roles

1. City Gates: Warders were often stationed at city gates, serving as gatekeepers. Their role was crucial in maintaining the security of the city, controlling who entered and exited. In 2 Samuel 18:24-26, we see an example of a watchman, a type of warder, who stood on the city wall to observe and report any approaching individuals: "Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone."

2. Temple Guards: In the context of the Temple, warders were Levites assigned to guard the entrances and ensure the sanctity of the holy place. 1 Chronicles 9:22-24 describes the gatekeepers of the house of the LORD: "In all, there were 212 chosen gatekeepers in their villages. They were enrolled 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."

3. Prison Guards: Warders also served as prison guards, responsible for the custody of prisoners. In Acts 12:4-6, we read about Peter being guarded in prison: "When Herod had seized him, he put him in prison, handing him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover."

4. Royal Guards: In royal settings, warders were tasked with protecting the king and his household. In 2 Kings 11:5-7, Jehoiada the priest commands the captains of the guard to protect the young king Joash: "This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the royal palace, a third are to be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple."

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

The role of warders in the Bible often carries symbolic and spiritual significance. They represent vigilance, faithfulness, and the duty to protect what is sacred. In a spiritual sense, believers are called to be watchful and guard their hearts against sin and temptation. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life."

Conclusion

While the specific term "warder" may not appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. Warders, as guards and keepers, played vital roles in maintaining order, security, and sanctity in various contexts, from city gates to the Temple and royal courts. Their presence underscores the importance of vigilance and protection in both physical and spiritual realms.

Consummation of Thomas the Apostle.
... And when the women who believed in God had heard that Judas was shut up, they gave
a great sum of money to the warders, and went in to him in the prison. ...
/.../consummation of thomas the apostle/consummation of thomas the apostle.htm

Our Stronghold
... The gates are shut; the drawbridge is pulled up; the portcullis is let down; the
warders are on the battlements, and the inhabitants within feel that they are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/our stronghold.htm

The Charge of the Watchers in the Temple
... the Lord.' The charge is given to these watching priests, these nightly
warders, by some single person"we know not whom. Perhaps ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the charge of the watchers.htm

On Luke. Chap. Ii. 7 and if You Please, we Say that the Word was ...
... Chap. xxiii For this reason the warders of Hades trembled when they saw Him;
and the gates of brass and the bolts of iron were broken. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on luke chap ii 7.htm

The Gospel Refuge.
... which were sometimes dried up in seasons of drought, but "springing up unto everlasting
life." Angels, too, are the porters,"the blessed warders that keep ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

Acts of Andrew and Matthias
... And when he came to the prison, he saw seven warders standing at the gate guarding,
and he prayed within himself, and they fell down and expired; and he marked ...
/.../unknown/acts of andrew and matthias/acts of andrew and matthias.htm

The Martyr-Bishop, 1548-1560.
... The delivering angel came in humble guise. Among the warders who guarded
his cell was a daring youth who had lived at Leitomischl. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x the martyr-bishop 1548-1560.htm

The Further Adventures of Saint George.
... There, guarded night and day by lynx-eyed warders, he languished for many long years,
his only companion being the faithful De Fistycuff; their chief subject ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter four the further adventures.htm

Household Salvation
... And then there are the servants, the old nurse who brought up the little ones, and
the little maid, and the warders who have to look after the prisoners, they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/household salvation.htm

The Stage as it was Once.
... Athene. Hear her words, my city's warders" Fraught with blessings, she prevaileth
With Olympians and Infernals, Dread Erinnys much revered. ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture ii the stage as.htm

Warders (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Warders (1 Occurrence). Acts 5:23 saying, "The
jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were ...
/w/warders.htm - 6k

War-dress (6 Occurrences)
War-dress. Warders, War-dress. War-dresses . Multi-Version Concordance
War-dress (6 Occurrences). ... Warders, War-dress. War-dresses . Reference Bible.
/w/war-dress.htm - 8k

Quite (55 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 5:23 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders
were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." (WEY NAS) ...
/q/quite.htm - 22k

Jail (15 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:23 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on
guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." (WEY NIV). ...
/j/jail.htm - 10k

Warden's (1 Occurrence)

/w/warden's.htm - 6k

Safely (83 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Acts 5:23 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders
were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." (WEY BBE) ...
/s/safely.htm - 31k

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