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17 The gatekeepers were: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman; and their kinsman Shallum was the chief, 18 stationed previously in the king’s gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers of the camp of the Levites.(A) 19 Shallum son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, and his kindred of his ancestral house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, guardians of the thresholds of the tent, as their ancestors had been in charge of the camp of the Lord, guardians of the entrance. 20 And Phinehas son of Eleazar was chief over them in former times; the Lord was with him.(B) 21 Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper at the entrance of the tent of meeting.(C) 22 All these who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds were two hundred twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and the seer Samuel established them in their office of trust.(D) 23 So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north, and south; 25 and their kindred who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with them,(E) 26 for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in charge of the chambers and the treasures of the house of God. 27 And they would spend the night near the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning.(F)

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17 The gatekeepers:(A)

Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their fellow Levites, Shallum their chief 18 being stationed at the King’s Gate(B) on the east, up to the present time. These were the gatekeepers belonging to the camp of the Levites. 19 Shallum(C) son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the tent just as their ancestors had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord. 20 In earlier times Phinehas(D) son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the Lord was with him. 21 Zechariah(E) son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

22 Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers(F) at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer.(G) 23 They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord—the house called the tent of meeting. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. 25 Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day(H) periods. 26 But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries(I) in the house of God. 27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God,(J) because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key(K) for opening it each morning.

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