In biblical terminology, the term "wards" is often used to describe divisions or sections, particularly in the context of duties, responsibilities, or physical spaces. The concept of wards is primarily found in the Old Testament, where it is associated with the organization of the Levitical priesthood, the division of labor, and the management of sacred spaces.

Levitical Duties and Temple Service

The term "wards" is frequently used in the context of the Levitical priesthood, where it refers to the divisions of priests and Levites assigned specific duties in the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. In 1 Chronicles 9:22-26, the organization of the gatekeepers is described: "All these chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212 in number. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust. So they and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the Tent. The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north, and south. Their relatives in their villages were to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God."

This passage highlights the structured nature of the Levitical service, where specific families and individuals were assigned to "wards" or divisions, ensuring the orderly conduct of worship and the safeguarding of the sacred precincts.

Guardianship and Protection

The concept of wards also extends to the idea of guardianship and protection. In Nehemiah 12:24-25, the Levites are described as having specific roles in the protection and maintenance of the Temple: "The heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, together with their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates."

Here, the term "wards" is implied in the structured and rotational nature of their duties, ensuring that the Temple was continually protected and that worship was conducted in an orderly manner.

Symbolism and Spiritual Application

In a broader spiritual sense, the concept of wards can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to be vigilant and watchful in their spiritual duties. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often exhorts believers to be on guard against spiritual dangers and to remain steadfast in their faith. While the term "wards" is not explicitly used in the New Testament, the underlying principle of vigilance and responsibility is a consistent theme.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of wards underscores the importance of order, responsibility, and vigilance in the service of God. Whether in the context of the Levitical priesthood or the spiritual life of believers, the idea of being assigned to a "ward" reflects a commitment to fulfilling one's duties faithfully and diligently.1. (v. i.) Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency toward; as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards, etc.

2. (suf.) See ward.

3338. metamelomai -- to regret, repent
... and 3199 , "care, be concerned with") -- properly, to experience a change of concern
a of emotion and usually implying , ie falling into wards (note the force ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3338.htm - 7k

3340. metanoeo -- to change one's mind or purpose
... 3340 (from 3326 , " being " and 3539 , "think") -- properly, "think differently ,"
"after a change of "; to (literally, " differently wards"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3340.htm - 8k

3651. ken -- so, thus
... or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation;
often with other particles) -- + after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... ...
/hebrew/3651.htm - 6k

In the Children's Hospital
... O how could I serve in the wards if the hope of the world were a lie? ... They freshen
and sweeten the wards like the waft of an Angel's wing; ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccccxxiii in the childrens hospital.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... on the hard floor of a room filled with noisy children, and disorderly men and women;
to other sufferers tossing feverishly in hospital wards, with nothing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm

Chapter fourteen
... of the First Church, the Dean of the Cathedral, the professional men living in fine
houses on the boulevard, should come personally into the wards, and by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fourteen.htm

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
... When we find a key that opens all the intricate wards of a lock, we know that the
key and the lock have one and the same author, and are parts of one whole. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xi remaining books of.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... The king hath a great many of wards, and I trow there is a Court of Wards: why is
there not a school for the wards, as well as there is a Court for their lands ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

We who are Without Fear Ourselves are not Seeking to Frighten You. ...
... Then we never deny the deposit placed in our hands; we never pollute the marriage
bed; we deal faithfully with our wards; we give aid to the needy; we render ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter iv we who are.htm

The Three Witnesses
... men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;" and Jesus Christ answers
to those prophecies as exactly as a well-made key answers to the wards of a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the three witnesses.htm

For the Candid and Thoughtful
... He has a secret key which fits the wards of human hearts, and he can open
that which seems to be the most securely closed against him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/for the candid and thoughtful.htm

Life in London
... Before the morning was far advanced I began to feel very weary, and while going
through the surgical wards at noon was obliged to run out, being suddenly very ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter v life in london.htm

God a Refuge for Us
... As all the wants of the sick in the wards were supplied gratuitously, in addition
to the remedial appliances needed for the out-patient work, the daily ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xvii god a refuge.htm

Wards (5 Occurrences)
...Wards (5 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 9:23 So they and their children had the oversight
of the gates of the house of Yahweh, even the house of the tent, by wards. ...
/w/wards.htm - 8k

In-wards (1 Occurrence)
In-wards. Inwards, In-wards. In-workings . Multi-Version Concordance
In-wards (1 Occurrence). Exodus 12:9 Ye shall eat ...
/i/in-wards.htm - 6k

Wardrobe (4 Occurrences)

/w/wardrobe.htm - 8k

Ware (6 Occurrences)

/w/ware.htm - 8k

Inwards (24 Occurrences)

/i/inwards.htm - 14k

Oversight (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 9:23 So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the
house of Yahweh, even the house of the tent, by wards. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/o/oversight.htm - 14k

Guarding (16 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 9:23 So they and their children had the oversight of the
gates of the house of Yahweh, even the house of the tent, by wards. (See NIV). ...
/g/guarding.htm - 10k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... 17. (vi) To be vigilant; to keep guard. 18. (vi) To act on the defensive with a
weapon. 19. (vi) Alt. of -wards. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WARD. ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Ways (2336 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A suffix formed from way by the addition of the
adverbial -s (see -wards). It is often used interchangeably ...
/w/ways.htm - 6k

In-workings (1 Occurrence)
In-workings. In-wards, In-workings. Inwrought . Multi-Version Concordance
In-workings (1 Occurrence). ... In-wards, In-workings. Inwrought . Reference Bible
/i/in-workings.htm - 6k

Wards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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