1 Chronicles 15:23
New International Version
Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark.

New Living Translation
Berekiah and Elkanah were chosen to guard the Ark.

English Standard Version
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

Berean Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark.

Berean Literal Bible
And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

King James Bible
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

New King James Version
Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark;

New American Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

NASB 1995
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

NASB 1977
And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Legacy Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Amplified Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Berean Annotated Bible
Berechiah (YHWH blesses) and Elkanah (God has possessed) were to be guardians \gatekeepers/ of the ark.

Christian Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

American Standard Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

English Revised Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

International Standard Version
Berechiah and Elkanah served as gatekeepers for the ark.

NET Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were guardians of the ark;

New Heart English Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark.

World English Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah [are] gatekeepers for the Ark.

Berean Literal Bible
And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.

Young's Literal Translation
And Berechiah and Elkanah are gatekeepers for the ark.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Berechiah and Elkanah gate-keepers to the ark.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Barachias, and Elcana, were doorkeepers of the ark.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Berechiah and Elkanah were porters of the ark.

New American Bible
Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers before the ark.

New Revised Standard Version
Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Berechiah and Hilkanah looked after the ark, providing for it what was needed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Berakya and Halqana were providing for the Ark whatever was needed for it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Barachia and Elcana were door-keepers of the ark.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Priests and Levites Carry the Ark
22Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled. 23Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark. 24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.…

Cross References
Berechiah and Elkanah

1 Chronicles 6:39
Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,

1 Samuel 1:1
Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
were to be guardians of the ark.

Numbers 3:31
Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

1 Samuel 7:1
Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.
2 Samuel 6:13
When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

2 Samuel 6:17
So they brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

2 Samuel 6:19
Then he distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. And all the people departed, each to his own home.

1 Chronicles 13:1-3
Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. / And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us. / Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.”

1 Chronicles 13:7-8
So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart. / David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

1 Chronicles 13:10
And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

1 Chronicles 16:1
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 16:37-38
So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, / along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 25:1
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:


Treasury of Scripture

And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1 Chronicles 9:21-23
And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation…

2 Kings 22:4
Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:

2 Kings 25:18
And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

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Ark Berechiah Berechi'ah Berekiah Doorkeepers Door-Keepers Elkanah Elka'nah Gatekeepers
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1 Chronicles 15
1. David having prepared a place for the ark,
15. the priests and Levites bring it from Obed-Edom
25. He performs the solemnity thereof with great joy
29. Michal despises him












Berechiah and Elkanah

Berechiah (“Yahweh blesses”) and Elkanah (“God has possessed” or “God has created”) were Levites appointed as gatekeepers for the ark during David’s carefully ordered procession to Jerusalem.

1Ch 6:39 Heman’s kinsman was Asaph, who served…
1Sa 1:1 Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from…

were to be guardians of the ark.

Their duty was to protect it from unauthorized access and ensure that its movement followed God’s commands. Their appointment reflected the ark’s holiness and the need for reverence in its care.

Num 3:31 Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand,…
1Sa 7:1 Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD…
Deu 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Berechiah
A Levite appointed as a gatekeeper for the Ark of the Covenant. His role was crucial in ensuring the sanctity and security of the Ark during its transport to Jerusalem.

2. Elkanah
Another Levite who served alongside Berechiah as a gatekeeper. His duties were similar, emphasizing the importance of guarding the sacred.

3. Gatekeepers
These were Levites assigned to protect and oversee the Ark of the Covenant. Their role was both physical and spiritual, ensuring that only those who were consecrated could approach the Ark.

4. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its movement to Jerusalem was a significant event in Israel's history.

5. Jerusalem
The city where King David intended to establish the Ark, making it the religious and political center of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Faithful Service
Berechiah and Elkanah exemplify the importance of faithfully serving in the roles God assigns us, no matter how seemingly small or behind-the-scenes.

Guarding What is Sacred
As gatekeepers, they were tasked with protecting the Ark, symbolizing the need for Christians to guard their hearts and the sacred truths of their faith.

Preparation and Sanctification
The Levites' preparation for moving the Ark teaches us the importance of spiritual readiness and sanctification in our service to God.

Unity in Service
The collaboration between Berechiah and Elkanah highlights the value of working together in unity for the common goal of honoring God.

Reverence for God's Presence
The Ark represented God's presence, reminding us to approach God with reverence and awe in our worship and daily lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 15:23?

2. How does 1 Chronicles 15:23 emphasize the importance of orderly worship practices?

3. What role did Berechiah and Elkanah play in ensuring the ark's safe transport?

4. How can we apply the principles of 1 Chronicles 15:23 in church leadership?

5. What does 1 Chronicles 15:23 teach about accountability in serving God?

6. How does this verse connect with other biblical teachings on reverence for God?

7. What role did Berechiah and Elkanah play as gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 15:23?

8. How does 1 Chronicles 15:23 reflect the importance of order in worship?

9. Why were specific individuals chosen as gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 15:23?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 15?


(23) Doorkeepers for the ark.--"Porters" (1Chronicles 15:18). Warders are meant. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also warders of the Ark (1Chronicles 15:24). In the procession two may have walked in front of it and two behind. They would be responsible for the prevention of all unauthorised approach to the Ark of God.

Verse 23. - Berechiah and Elkanah. It appears from the following verse that there was also another couple of doorkeepers (i.e. persons to protect the openings of the ark, that it should not be opened), viz. Obed-edom and Jehiah.

1 Chronicles 15:23 records that “Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark.” Literally assigning two Levites to stand watch emphasized the holiness of God’s presence, the necessity of exact obedience, and the personal accountability of every servant. Their role proclaims that God’s people must revere His Word, protect what is sacred, and approach Him only through His ordained means—truths still vital for followers of Christ today.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Berechiah
וּבֶֽרֶכְיָה֙ (ū·ḇe·reḵ·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1296: Berechiah -- 'Yah blesses', the name of several Israelites

and Elkanah
וְאֶלְקָנָ֔ה (wə·’el·qā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 511: Elkanah -- 'God has created', the name of several Israelites

were to be guardians
שֹׁעֲרִ֖ים (šō·‘ă·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7778: A gatekeeper

of the ark.
לָאָרֽוֹן׃ (lā·’ā·rō·wn)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark


Additonal Resources
1 Chronicles 15:23 Blue Letter Bible
1 Chronicles 15:23 Bible Gateway
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OT History: 1 Chronicles 15:23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)

1 Chronicles 15:22
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