Meshelemiah

Biblical Record

Meshelemiah appears in the list of temple gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles. First Chronicles 26:1 introduces him: "Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph." Gatekeeping was a duty of the Levites, who guarded the gates of the sanctuary and controlled entry.

First Chronicles 26:2–3 lists his seven sons in order: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Elioenai the seventh. First Chronicles 26:9 describes Meshelemiah's sons and brethren, eighteen in all, as "strong men."

In 1 Chronicles 26:14 the same man is called "Shelemiah." According to this verse, the lot assigned him the east gate. His son Zechariah, described as "a wise counsellor," was assigned the north gate. First Chronicles 9:21 likewise records that "Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation," that is, the tabernacle.

Significance in Scripture

Meshelemiah appears within the Chronicler's account of how David organized the duties and courses of the Levites for temple worship. A course was a division of workers that served in rotation. His family is portrayed as one of the principal houses entrusted with gatekeeping, alongside the families of Obed-edom and Hosah. Chronicles gives particular attention to temple service handed down from generation to generation, and Meshelemiah's family is one example. He is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Interpretation and Debated Points

• Variant names: "Meshelemiah" and "Shelemiah" are generally regarded as variant forms of the same person's name.
• "Of the sons of Asaph": Many interpreters hold that the Asaph of 1 Chronicles 26:1 is a different person from the Gershonite Asaph who led the singing. On this view, the name is a shortened form of Ebiasaph, who appears in the Korahite genealogy (1 Chronicles 9:19).
• The gatekeepers of 1 Chronicles 9: Some scholars identify Meshelemiah with "Shallum the son of Kore," who appears as chief of the gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 9. The text does not state this directly, however, so the identification is not settled.
• Scripture records nothing further about his life or personal history. Beyond the genealogy and the assignment of duties, the text offers no narrative about him.

In the Korean Church

Sermons or Sunday school lessons devoted to Meshelemiah himself are reportedly rare. He is usually mentioned only in passing when the system of temple gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 26 is discussed. In such contexts, the office of temple gatekeeper is sometimes presented as an example of service rendered in an inconspicuous place.