The Bible mentions doorkeepers in a way that highlights their service and dedication. Today, we’ll see what lessons we can learn from their role.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Being Pregnant
What Does The Bible Say About Doorkeepers
Psalms 84:10
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
This verse highlights the importance and joy of serving in the presence of God. Being a doorkeeper in the house of God is seen as a privilege and a higher honor even compared to dwelling in the tents of the wicked. It emphasizes the value of being in God’s presence and serving Him faithfully.
Psalms 118:19-20
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.”
These verses acknowledge the gates of righteousness and invite the Lord to open them so that the righteous may enter. The gate of the Lord symbolizes access to His presence and the opportunity to give thanks and worship Him. It signifies the importance of seeking entrance into God’s dwelling place with a heart of righteousness.
Psalms 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
This verse emphasizes the attitude of gratitude and praise when approaching the presence of God. It encourages entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, recognizing the importance of worship and honoring God as we come before Him.
Psalms 27:4
“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.”
These words express a deep desire to dwell in the house of the Lord and continually be in His presence. It speaks of the longing to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek His guidance and wisdom in His temple. It reveals the yearning for a close relationship with God as a doorkeeper in His house.
Psalms 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
This verse affirms the promise of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. It expresses confidence in the enduring presence of goodness and mercy in the life of a doorkeeper of God’s house. It offers hope and security in the eternal dwelling place of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
These verses describe the responsibility of doorkeepers in God’s house as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in carrying out their service and fulfilling their role as guardians and caretakers of God’s divine purposes.
2 Chronicles 23:19
“And he stationed the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one should enter who was in any way unclean.”
This verse describes the role of gatekeepers in maintaining the holiness and purity of the house of the Lord. They were stationed at the gates to prevent anyone who was unclean from entering. It underscores the significance of guarding the sanctity of God’s dwelling place and ensuring that those who entered were prepared and worthy.
Psalms 141:3
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
These words express a prayer for self-control and wisdom in speech. It acknowledges the importance of guarding one’s words and seeking God’s guidance in what is spoken. It reflects the mindset of a doorkeeper who is aware of the responsibility to protect the integrity and sanctity of the house of the Lord even in their speech.
Luke 12:37-38
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!”
These verses depict the blessedness of doorkeepers who are found faithful and watchful when the master returns. They speak of the honor and reward that await those who fulfill their duties diligently, with a heart of service. It emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and active in our service to the Lord.
Psalms 134:1-2
“Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!”
These verses call upon the doorkeepers who serve in the house of the Lord to bless and worship Him. It recognizes their role as servants and encourages them to lift up their hands in adoration and honor of the Holy One. It highlights the privilege of the doorkeepers to minister to the Lord and offer their praise.
1 Samuel 3:15
“Samuel lay until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.”
This verse recounts the actions of Samuel, who opened the doors of the house of the Lord in the morning. It reflects his obedience and dedication in carrying out his duties as a doorkeeper. It also reveals his fear or hesitation in sharing the prophetic vision he received, demonstrating the weight of responsibility that doorkeepers may bear.
1 Chronicles 15:23-24
“Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.”
These verses mention the gatekeepers appointed to guard and serve the ark of God. They are mentioned alongside the priests who blow the trumpets before the ark, displaying their significant role in the worship and reverence for God’s presence. It showcases the teamwork and collaboration between gatekeepers and priests in the service of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 8:14
“According to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry before the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions at each gate, for so David the man of God had commanded.”
This verse speaks of the appointment and division of various roles in the service of the Lord, including the gatekeepers stationed at each gate. It acknowledges David’s command and design for the organization and orderly functioning of the temple service. It emphasizes the importance of following the instructions and patterns set by godly leaders in the house of God.
1 Chronicles 26:19
“These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.”
This verse references the divisions of gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari. It suggests an organized structure in the assignment of gatekeeping duties, indicating the importance of order and purpose in the service of God. It highlights that doorkeepers were not only chosen individually but also organized into divisions for efficient management.
1 Chronicles 26:13
“And they cast lots by fathers’ houses, small and great alike, for their gates.”
Here, the casting of lots determined the assignment of doorkeepers to specific gates. It implies that these decisions were made impartially and fairly, not based on personal preference. It emphasizes the importance of divine guidance and equity in the selection process for those who serve as doorkeepers.
2 Kings 7:10
“So they came and called to the gatekeepers of the city and told them, ‘We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, there was no one to be seen or heard there, nothing but the horses tied and the donkeys tied and the tents as they were.'”
These verses narrate an incident where gatekeepers were called upon for information. They were informed about the deserted camp of the Syrians, providing valuable intelligence. It highlights that doorkeepers not only protected the house of God but also had a role in safeguarding the city and its inhabitants.
Nehemiah 7:1
“Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,”
This verse describes the completion of the wall and the appointment of gatekeepers, singers, and Levites in their respective roles. It suggests the significance of doorkeepers being part of a broader team, working together to maintain order and facilitate worship in the city and the house of God.
1 Chronicles 9:19-21
“Shallum the son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, and his kinsmen of his fathers’ house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, as their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the LORD, keepers of the entrance. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the chief officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.”
These verses identify the Korahites as keepers of the thresholds of the tent, continuing the role entrusted to their fathers in the camp of the Lord. It also mentions Phinehas, the chief officer over them, emphasizing that the Lord was with him. It highlights the continuity and lineage of doorkeepers’ responsibilities and the importance of their spiritual leadership.
Ezekiel 44:1-2
“Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east. And it was shut. And the LORD said to me, ‘This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered by it. Therefore it shall remain shut.”
In these verses, the outer gate of the sanctuary is shut, with the Lord declaring it must remain closed because He, the God of Israel, has entered through it. It symbolizes the holiness and exclusivity of God’s presence, demonstrating the gatekeepers’ role in maintaining the sanctity of the entrance and ensuring that only the Lord enters and exits as He desires.
Nehemiah 12:45-46
“They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and his son Solomon. For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.”
These verses mention the gatekeepers alongside the singers, highlighting their shared responsibility in the service of God and the service of purification. It also refers to the historical establishment of directors of singers and the presence of songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. It underscores the importance of unity and collaboration between gatekeepers and other groups involved in worship and service in the house of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 8:14
“And according to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry before the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions at each gate, for so David the man of God had commanded.”
This verse reiterates the appointment of gatekeepers and emphasizes the adherence to the ruling of David, the man of God. It describes their specific duty of guarding each gate in their divisions. It emphasizes the importance of following the commands and patterns set by godly leaders, ensuring the proper functioning of the house of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 15:23-24
“Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.”
These verses allocate specific gatekeeping duties concerning the ark of God. It designates gatekeepers responsible for guarding the ark, while priests blow trumpets before it. It demonstrates the collaboration and shared responsibility between gatekeepers and priests in the presence and worship of God. The verse speaks to the sacredness of the ark and reveals the importance of the gatekeepers’ role in its protection.
2 Chronicles 8:14
“And according to the commandment of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their duties of praise and ministry before the priests according to the daily schedule, and the gatekeepers by their divisions at every gate; for so David the man of God had commanded.”
Here, the division and appointment of gatekeepers at every gate are mentioned in accordance with David’s commandment. It highlights the importance of following the instructions given by David, the man of God, in organizing the service of the priests, Levites, and gatekeepers. It reflects the necessity of order, structure, and obedience in the house of the Lord.