Who was Jathniel in the Bible?

Jathniel was a Levite who served as a gatekeeper for the tabernacle during the reign of King David. He was part of the division of gatekeepers assigned by lot, as recorded in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles.

What was Jathniel's role and significance?

As a gatekeeper, Jathniel's role was to guard the entrances to the sacred tent of meeting and its treasuries. This was a vital position of trust in maintaining the holiness and security of the worship center for ancient Israel (1 Chronicles 26:1-2).

What do we know about Jathniel's life?

The Bible records Jathniel as a son of Meshelemiah, from the family of Korah. He was appointed by King David and the prophet Samuel to serve in this specific duty, highlighting his family's established lineage of service (1 Chronicles 9:19-22).

Jathniel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLevite

Jathniel was a Levite who served as a gatekeeper during the reign of King David.

Jathniel

Biography

Jathniel was a Levite of the house of Obed-edom, identified as the fourth son of Meshelemiah (also called Shelemiah), who served as a gatekeeper for the ark of the covenant and the temple precinct during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 26:2). The gatekeepers formed an essential corps of Levitical ministers responsible for the security, order, and reverent maintenance of the sacred spaces surrounding Israel's central sanctuary. Jathniel's service fell during a period of significant liturgical organization, as David undertook comprehensive preparations for the temple his son Solomon would build, assigning specific families to defined roles in the coming house of worship.

Significance

Though Jathniel appears only briefly in the genealogical and organizational lists of 1 Chronicles, his role as a Levitical gatekeeper carries theological weight. Gatekeeping was not a menial task; the gatekeepers were charged with preserving the holiness of sacred space, ensuring that worship proceeded with reverence and order. Psalm 84:10 famously declares that a single day as a doorkeeper in God's house surpasses a thousand elsewhere, elevating this ministry to one of spiritual privilege. Jathniel's faithful performance of his assigned role illustrates the biblical principle that all service rendered to God, regardless of visibility, is honored by the Lord who sees every act of dedicated ministry.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 26:2

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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