KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The gatekeepers and their families: the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai - altogether 139 people.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse lists the temple gatekeepers and their descendants who returned from exile in Babylon, totaling 139 people.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of a detailed census taken when the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem around 538 BC under Cyrus's decree. The gatekeepers were essential temple workers responsible for guarding the entrances and maintaining security at the temple. This careful record-keeping showed how God preserved even the support staff needed to restore proper worship in Jerusalem.
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