2 Kings 11:6

6 A third are to be at the Sur gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.^[a]

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 Then, in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent [messengers] and brought in the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards. He had them come to him in the Lord's temple, where he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king's son

5 and commanded them, "This is what you are to do: one third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the king's palace.

6 A third are to be at the Sur gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.

7 Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the Lord's temple.

8 You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. You must be with the king in all his daily tasks."

Footnotes

• [a]. Hb obscure