2 Kings 11:6

6 A third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall you keep the watch of the house, and be 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 Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the house of Yahweh; and he made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of Yahweh, and shown them the king's son.

5 He commanded them, saying, This is the thing that you shall do: a third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

6 A third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall you keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.

7 The two companies of you, even all who go forth on the Sabbath, shall keep the watch of the house of Yahweh about the king.

8 You shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain: and be you with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.