The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.

NEHEMIAH 7:45KJV
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Nehemiah 7:45 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:45 mean?

Nehemiah 7:45 lists the families of the gatekeepers (called "porters") who returned from exile, naming the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, and states that there were 138 of them in total. This verse is part of a census recording those who came back to Jerusalem to help restore the city and its temple services.

Nehemiah, as the governor, is documenting the people who returned from Babylonian exile to repopulate Jerusalem. The verse specifically highlights the gatekeepers, who had the important job of guarding the entrances to the temple. Listing their families and numbers shows the careful organization and the value placed on each group’s role in the restored community.

Where else these words appear

“Hatita” Hebrew H2410 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.

“Shobai” Hebrew H7630 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.

“Ater” Hebrew H333 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 2:16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
  • Ezra 2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
  • Nehemiah 7:21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

“Talmon” Hebrew H2929 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:17 And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;
  • Ezra 2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
  • Nehemiah 11:19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.