1 Chronicles 9:27

27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.

1 Chronicles 9:27 in Other Translations

27 And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.

27 And they lodged around the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning.

27 They would spend the night around the house of God, since it was their duty to guard it and to open the gates every morning.

27 They kept watch all through the night and had the key to open the doors each morning.

27 They spent the night in the vicinity of God's temple, because they had guard duty and were in charge of opening it every morning.

1 Chronicles 9:27 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:27

And they lodged round about the house of God
In chambers on the outward wall about it, that they might be near to do their office:

because the charge was upon them;
to guard the house:

and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them;
that is, the opening of the doors of the mountain of the house, and the court of women; for as for others, that appertained to the priests, as Dr. Lightfoot ^F21 observes; under the second temple, it is said ^F23, Ben Geber was over the shutting of the gates in the evening, and so of opening in the morning.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Temple-Service, c. 7. sect. 1.
F23 Misn. Shekalim, c. 5. sect. 1.

1 Chronicles 9:27 In-Context

25 Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods.

26 But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God.

27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.

28 Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out.

29 Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices.

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 3:38; 1 Chronicles 23:30-32
• 2. Isaiah 22:22