2 Kings 11:6

6 a third is at the Sur Gate and a third is at the gate behind the guards. [The first third] is to continue guarding the palace and serve as a barrier,

2 Kings 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 11:6

And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur
Generally thought by the Jews to be the eastern gate, so called, as they say, because such as were defiled were bid to depart, or go back, as this word signifies, and not enter the temple; it is called "the gate of the foundation", ( 2 Chronicles 23:5 ) because, according to Ben Gersom, here the foundation of the sanctuary was first laid; it is said ^F2 to have five other names besides these:

and a third part at the gate behind the guard;
the temple guard, which had a captain of them, ( Acts 4:1 ) this gate is supposed to be the same with "sippim", or the threshold gate, ( 2 Chronicles 23:4 ) and to be the southern one:

so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down;
guard the temple, that none break or rush into it, of Athaliah's party.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 T. Hieros. Yoma apud Beckium in Targ. in 2 Chron. xxiii. 5.

2 Kings 11:6 In-Context

4 In the seventh year Y'hoyada summoned the captains of hundred-man platoons, of both the Kari and the guard. He brought them into the house of ADONAI, made an agreement with them and had them swear to it in the house of ADONAI. Then he showed them the king's son

5 and gave them this instruction: "Here is what you are to do: of you who come on duty on Shabbat, a third [normally] guards the royal palace,

6 a third is at the Sur Gate and a third is at the gate behind the guards. [The first third] is to continue guarding the palace and serve as a barrier,

7 while the other two groups of you who come on duty on Shabbat will guard the house of ADONAI, where the king is.

8 You are to surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand. Anyone who penetrates the ranks is to be killed. Stay with the king whenever he leaves or enters."