1 Chronicles 15:23
New International Version
Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark.

New Living Translation
Berekiah and Elkanah were chosen to guard the Ark.

English Standard Version
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

Berean Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark.

King James Bible
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

New King James Version
Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark;

New American Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

NASB 1995
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

NASB 1977
And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Legacy Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Amplified Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Christian Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

American Standard Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

English Revised Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

International Standard Version
Berechiah and Elkanah served as gatekeepers for the ark.

Majority Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark.

NET Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians of the ark;

New Heart English Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark.

World English Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah [are] gatekeepers for the Ark.

Young's Literal Translation
And Berechiah and Elkanah are gatekeepers for the ark.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Berechiah and Elkanah gate-keepers to the ark.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Barachias, and Elcana, were doorkeepers of the ark.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah were porters of the ark.

New American Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers before the ark.

New Revised Standard Version
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Berechiah and Hilkanah looked after the ark, providing for it what was needed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Berakya and Halqana were providing for the Ark whatever was needed for it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Barachia and Elcana were door-keepers of the ark.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Priests and Levites Carry the Ark
22Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled. 23Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark. 24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 6:13
When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

2 Samuel 6:17
So they brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

2 Samuel 6:19
Then he distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. And all the people departed, each to his own home.

1 Chronicles 13:1-3
Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. / And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us. / Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.”

1 Chronicles 13:7-8
So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart. / David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

1 Chronicles 13:10
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

1 Chronicles 16:1
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 16:37-38
So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, / along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 25:1
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:

1 Chronicles 26:12-19
These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did. / They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. / The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. ...

2 Chronicles 5:12-14
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

Nehemiah 12:24
The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 9:21-23
And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation…

2 Kings 22:4
Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:

2 Kings 25:18
And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

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1 Chronicles 15
1. David having prepared a place for the ark,
15. the priests and Levites bring it from Obed-Edom
25. He performs the solemnity thereof with great joy
29. Michal despises him














Berechiah
The name Berechiah means "Yahweh blesses" or "blessed by Yahweh" in Hebrew. This name reflects the deep-seated belief in the providence and blessing of God upon His people. Berechiah's role as a guardian of the ark signifies the importance of divine blessing in the stewardship of sacred duties. In a broader sense, it reminds believers that those who are entrusted with spiritual responsibilities are often those who have experienced God's blessing and favor in their lives.

and Elkanah
Elkanah means "God has created" or "God has possessed." This name underscores the sovereignty and creative power of God. Elkanah's inclusion as a guardian of the ark highlights the divine selection and calling of individuals for specific purposes. Historically, Elkanah is also the name of Samuel's father, linking this role to a legacy of faithfulness and dedication to God's service. It serves as a reminder that God equips and calls individuals according to His divine plan and purpose.

were to be guardians
The phrase "were to be guardians" indicates a specific and sacred duty assigned to Berechiah and Elkanah. The Hebrew root for "guardians" is "shamar," which means to keep, watch, or preserve. This role was not merely a physical task but a spiritual responsibility, emphasizing vigilance and care in protecting what is holy. In the context of the ark, it symbolizes the need for spiritual leaders to safeguard the presence and commandments of God within the community.

of the ark
The ark, known as the Ark of the Covenant, was the most sacred object in Israelite worship, representing God's presence among His people. It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna, each symbolizing God's covenant, authority, and provision. The guardianship of the ark was a profound responsibility, reflecting the need to honor and revere God's holiness. Historically, the ark was central to Israel's worship and identity, and its protection was paramount to maintaining the nation's spiritual integrity. This phrase calls believers to recognize the importance of reverence and responsibility in their relationship with God.

(23) Doorkeepers for the ark.--"Porters" (1Chronicles 15:18). Warders are meant. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also warders of the Ark (1Chronicles 15:24). In the procession two may have walked in front of it and two behind. They would be responsible for the prevention of all unauthorised approach to the Ark of God.

Verse 23. - Berechiah and Elkanah. It appears from the following verse that there was also another couple of doorkeepers (i.e. persons to protect the openings of the ark, that it should not be opened), viz. Obed-edom and Jehiah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Berechiah
וּבֶֽרֶכְיָה֙ (ū·ḇe·reḵ·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1296: Berechiah -- 'Yah blesses', the name of several Israelites

and Elkanah
וְאֶלְקָנָ֔ה (wə·’el·qā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 511: Elkanah -- 'God has created', the name of several Israelites

were to be guardians
שֹׁעֲרִ֖ים (šō·‘ă·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7778: A gatekeeper

of the ark.
לָאָרֽוֹן׃ (lā·’ā·rō·wn)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 15:23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 15:22
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