Who was Eliehoenai in the Bible?

Eliehoenai was a gatekeeper in the temple during the reign of King David. He is identified as a son of Meshelemiah from the tribe of Levi (1 Chronicles 26:3).

What was the role of a gatekeeper like Eliehoenai?

Gatekeepers were Levites responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple, managing the offerings, and maintaining security and order. Their role was vital for the daily function and sanctity of worship (1 Chronicles 9:22-27).

Why is Eliehoenai mentioned in 1 Chronicles?

He is listed to document the organized divisions of temple servants established by King David. This highlights the importance of orderly worship and the contributions of even lesser-known individuals to Israel's religious life (1 Chronicles 26:1-19).

Eliehoenai

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeviteSon

Eliehoenai, a son of Meshelemiah, was a gatekeeper during King David's reign.

Eliehoenai

Biography

Eliehoenai son of Meshelemiah was a Levitical gatekeeper who served at the sanctuary during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 26:3). He was one of seven sons born to Meshelemiah (also called Shelemiah or Shallum), who was himself a prominent gatekeeper assigned to the North Gate of the sanctuary and other key access points of the tabernacle or early temple complex. David reorganized the Levitical gatekeepers into divisions, assigning specific gates and responsibilities to each family. As a member of this Levitical household, Eliehoenai participated in the crucial ministry of controlling access to the sacred precincts, a role that combined security, order, and the maintenance of holiness within Israel's central place of worship. His name, meaning "my eyes are toward the LORD," reflects the devotion that characterized his family's service.

Significance

Eliehoenai son of Meshelemiah (1 Chronicles 26:3) exemplifies the Levitical vocation of guardianship at the threshold of sacred space. The gatekeepers of Israel's sanctuary were not merely security personnel; they were charged with preserving the boundary between the holy and the common, ensuring that worship took place in proper order and that God's house was treated with reverence. Their ministry foreshadowed the New Testament image of Christ as the door and gate (John 10:7–9), through whom alone access to the Father is granted. Eliehoenai's faithful service at the gates of the sanctuary illustrates that even seemingly administrative roles in the community of faith carry deep theological significance when performed with devotion to God.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 26:3

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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