תָּרָע
a doorkeeper
Definition
The Hebrew word תָּרָע (târâʻ) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'doorkeeper' or 'porter.' It specifically denotes an official responsible for guarding the entrance to a temple or palace, controlling access and ensuring security. In its single biblical occurrence, it refers to temple personnel who are exempt from taxation, highlighting their sacred service. This role is distinct from general gatekeepers, as it implies a formal, likely Levitical, appointment within the religious administrative structure of the post-exilic community.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezra 7:24. Here, King Artaxerxes decrees that temple servants, including singers, gatekeepers, and 'doorkeepers' (תָּרָע), shall be exempt from taxes. The context is administrative, listing various groups involved in the temple worship and maintenance in Jerusalem after the exile. Its usage aligns with other terms for gatekeepers (like שֹׁעֵר, H7778) but appears in an Aramaic section of Ezra, reflecting the imperial language of the decree.
Etymology
תָּרָע is an Aramaic word derived from the root תְּרַע (H8651), meaning 'door' or 'gate.' It is a cognate of the Hebrew דֶּלֶת (H1817) for 'door.' The noun formation indicates 'one pertaining to the door,' i.e., a door attendant. This Aramaic term entered Biblical Hebrew during the post-exilic period, reflecting the linguistic influence of the Persian Empire, under which Aramaic was the lingua franca for official documents.
Semantic Range
Though a single-occurrence term, תָּרָע enriches our understanding of temple service and sacred order. It underscores that roles like doorkeeping were not merely practical but held spiritual significance, as these personnel were considered integral to worship and were granted tax-exempt status by royal decree (Ezra 7:24). This highlights God's provision for those serving His house and the importance of maintaining the sanctity and security of the temple, a theme echoed in Psalms (e.g., Psalm 84:10) regarding the privilege of dwelling in God's courts.
In the ancient Near East, doorkeepers were essential officials in temples and palaces, responsible for security, regulating entry, and sometimes collecting offerings. In Israel, this role was often filled by Levites (1 Chronicles 9:17-27). The Aramaic term in Ezra reflects the administrative reality of the Persian period, where such positions were formally recognized and protected by imperial law, showing how temple worship was maintained under foreign rule.
שֹׁעֵר (shôʻēr, H7778) — a more common Hebrew term for gatekeeper or porter, used for both city and temple gates. דֹּלְקִים (dōlqîm) — not a direct synonym, but related as temple servants; תָּרָע specifies the door-focused duty within that broader category.
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.
Full methodology & sources →