Topical Bible: Women was a Doorkeeper

Bible > Topical > Women was a Doorkeeper

◄ Women was a Doorkeeper ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of biblical times, the role of a doorkeeper was significant, serving as a guardian or gatekeeper for important places such as the temple or city gates. While much of the biblical narrative focuses on male figures in these roles, there are instances and implications of women serving in similar capacities, reflecting their involvement in religious and communal life.

Biblical References and Context

1. 1 Chronicles 9:17-19 · This passage lists the gatekeepers of the temple, primarily focusing on male Levites. However, the broader context of temple service includes women in various roles, suggesting that women could have participated in similar functions, especially in the context of family service traditions.

2. 2 Kings 22:14 · Huldah the prophetess is consulted by King Josiah's officials. While not a doorkeeper in the literal sense, her role as a spiritual gatekeeper is evident, as she provides divine insight and guidance. This highlights the broader concept of women serving as guardians of spiritual truth and wisdom.

3. John 18:16-17 · In the New Testament, a female servant is mentioned as the doorkeeper who allows Peter into the courtyard of the high priest. "But Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in." This indicates that women held positions of responsibility and trust, even in significant religious settings.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israel, the role of a doorkeeper was not merely about physical security but also about maintaining the sanctity and order of sacred spaces. Women, often involved in the daily operations of households and communal life, would naturally extend these responsibilities to religious settings. Their involvement as doorkeepers, whether literal or metaphorical, underscores their integral role in the spiritual and communal fabric of biblical society.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of women in roles akin to doorkeepers reflects the biblical principle of shared responsibility in the stewardship of God's house and community. It aligns with the broader scriptural narrative that emphasizes the value and dignity of women in God's redemptive plan. Women, as doorkeepers, symbolize the welcoming and safeguarding of divine presence and truth, a role that transcends gender and is rooted in faithfulness and service.

Conclusion

While explicit references to women as doorkeepers in the Bible are limited, the scriptural and historical context supports the notion of their involvement in such roles. This reflects the broader biblical theme of women participating actively in the life and worship of the community, serving as guardians of both physical and spiritual thresholds.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 26:69
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee.
Nave's Topical Index

John 18:16,17
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known to the high priest, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 12:13,14
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to listen, named Rhoda.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Plans of Marriage
... came to the door of one of the Milanese basilicas, the doorkeeper forbade her to ...
He, to be sure, guarded himself chastely from women, although in the outset of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv plans of marriage.htm

Personal Service
... stones and bricks that are to be built up, and not living men and women, who are ...
Methinks I hear those sighs of thine now,""O that I were a doorkeeper in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/personal service.htm

First Attempts on Jerusalem.
... A verse of the pilgrim's psalm,[1] "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of
my God," seemed made expressly for them ... The women had an entirely separate court ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xiii first attempts on.htm

Trophies of Grace
... house, and there they herded, sometimes as many as twelve men, women, and children ...
corps, in full Army uniform, and does useful work as doorkeeper and orderly ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xii trophies of grace.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... Still, lest they should be able to impose on silly women, their vanity must be ... Who
ever saw, in their churches, either an acolyte or doorkeeper performing his ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

Letter Lx. To Heliodorus.
... He saw that the doorkeeper was constantly at his post, that the doorhangings were ...
her much weeping was turned to stone and that other women were metamorphosed ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lx to heliodorus.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... The domains are represented as women. ... The women contended among themselves for the
affection of the master, on behalf of themselves or their children. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... should be filled with the hosts of her men-servants and maid-servants; that every
day holy Bethlehem should be receiving as mendicants men and women who were ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... 2. By Christ's intercession I gather, that awakened men and women, such as the godly
are, dare not, after offence given, come in their own names to make unto ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm