טַלְמוֹן
Talmon, a temple doorkeeper
Definition
Talmon is the name of a Levite who served as a temple doorkeeper in the post-exilic community. The name appears exclusively in lists of returning exiles and temple personnel, designating him as the head of a family of gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:17, Nehemiah 11:19). His descendants are consistently listed among those responsible for guarding the thresholds of the temple, a role restored after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:42, Nehemiah 7:45). In Nehemiah 12:25, Talmon is mentioned alongside other gatekeepers in the context of the dedication of Jerusalem's wall, highlighting the continuity of this sacred office.
Biblical Usage
The name Talmon is used five times in the Old Testament, always in historical books detailing the restoration of Judah. It appears in genealogical and administrative lists from the post-exilic period (1 Chronicles 9, Ezra 2, Nehemiah 7, 11, 12). The usage is formulaic, identifying Talmon as a patriarch whose family held the hereditary office of temple gatekeeper. For example, in Ezra 2:42 and the parallel list in Nehemiah 7:45, 'the children of Talmon' are counted among the returning exiles dedicated to gatekeeping service.
Etymology
The name Talmon (טַלְמוֹן) is derived from the root טָלַם (ṭālam), meaning 'to oppress' or 'to bind,' which is also the root for H2728 (חָרְגֹּל, possibly a type of locust). It is a proper noun, likely meaning 'oppressive' or 'one who restrains.' As a personal name, its meaning may have been understood symbolically or historically, possibly relating to the duties of a gatekeeper who controls access.
Semantic Range
Talmon represents the faithful restoration of temple worship and order after the exile. His lineage highlights the theological importance of assigned Levitical roles in maintaining the holiness and security of God's dwelling place. Understanding this name enriches the reading of restoration texts by emphasizing God's faithfulness in preserving not just the temple structure, but the ordained personnel necessary for proper worship, as seen in the meticulous lists of Ezra and Nehemiah.
In ancient Israel, temple gatekeepers were Levites with a critical sacred trust. They were not mere janitors but guardians responsible for protecting the temple's sanctity, managing access, and overseeing the treasuries (1 Chronicles 9:26-27). The role was hereditary, with families like Talmon's serving for generations. Their mention in post-exilic lists signifies the re-establishment of this vital institution, ensuring the temple operated according to the Law amidst a renewed community.
Shallum (שַׁלֻּם, H7968) — Another head of a gatekeeper family listed alongside Talmon (Ezra 2:42). Akkub (עַקּוּב, H6126) — A contemporary gatekeeper chief, also named in the same lists (Nehemiah 12:25).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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