The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
The gatekeepers and their families: the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai - altogether 139 people.
This verse lists the temple gatekeepers and their descendants who returned from exile in Babylon, totaling 139 people.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ezra, this verse is part of a detailed list of families and individuals returning from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, marking the restoration of Jewish life and worship after years of captivity. The porters mentioned were gatekeepers responsible for guarding the entrances to the Temple, ensuring that only the authorized and ritually clean could enter, which highlights the structured organization of the returning community. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness in preserving His people and their roles in His service.
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