Original Word: תָּרָע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tara`
Pronunciation: tah-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-raw')
KJV: porter
NASB: doorkeepers
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H865 (אֶתמוֹל אִתמוֹל אֶתמוּל - Yesterday)1]

1. a doorkeeper

porter

(Aramaic) from tra'; a doorkeeper -- porter.

see HEBREW tra'

Word Origin
(Aramaic) from the same as tera
Definition
doorkeeper
NASB Translation
doorkeepers (1).

[תָּרָע i.e. tarrâ` K^{§ 59} d)]

noun masculine porter, door keeper, in temple: plural emphatic תָּרָעַיָּא Ezra 7:14.

Canonical Occurrence

Ezra 7:24: “And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, tax, or duty on any priest, Levite, singer, doorkeeper, temple servant, or other servant of this house of God.” The Aramaic term תָּרָע designates the temple gatekeepers, underscoring their inclusion among those whose service was vital enough to receive royal tax exemption.

Historical Background

The decree of Artaxerxes, dated to 458 B.C., belongs to the second major return from exile. By officially listing the gatekeepers with priests, Levites, and singers, the Persian king affirms a ministry structure that reaches back to Davidic and Solomonic times (1 Chronicles 9:17-27; 26:1-19). The presence of an Aramaic cognate for the earlier Hebrew שֹׁעֲרִים shows that the office of gatekeeping survived the exile intact and continued to function in the restored temple.

Role in Temple Administration

1. Security and Sanctity – Gatekeepers controlled access, ensuring only ritually clean worshippers and authorized personnel entered (2 Chronicles 23:19).
2. Stewardship – They cared for storerooms and temple treasures (1 Chronicles 26:15-20).
3. Liturgical Order – Positioned at every gate, they coordinated the flow of sacrifices and people, allowing priests and Levites to focus on their specific duties.

Legal and Fiscal Exemption

Artaxerxes’ exemption protected gatekeepers from “tribute, tax, or duty,” freeing them for continual service. The edict highlights:
• Acknowledgment of their indispensability.
• Provision for their livelihood, preventing secular obligations from encroaching on sacred tasks.
• God’s sovereignty in moving pagan authority to safeguard worship (Proverbs 21:1).

Theological Significance

Holiness of Access – The vigilance of gatekeepers dramatizes the need for purity when approaching God (Psalm 24:3-4).

Watchfulness – Their perpetual duty foreshadows spiritual watchmen (Ezekiel 33:7; Mark 13:34-37).

Unity of Service – Though less visible than priests, their royal recognition illustrates that every ministry part is honored by God (1 Corinthians 12:22-25).

Practical Ministry Application

Modern congregations echo this role through ushers, security teams, and building stewards who create safe, orderly environments for worship. Scripture encourages churches to:
• Esteem those who serve behind the scenes.
• Relieve them of undue burdens so they can focus on their calling.
• Emulate their vigilance in guarding doctrine and moral integrity (2 Timothy 1:14).

Christological and New Covenant Echoes

Jesus calls Himself “the gate” (John 10:9), fulfilling the symbolism of controlled access to God. Believers, as under-shepherds, are tasked to guard the flock from false teaching (Acts 20:28-31), extending the spiritual principle embodied in the temple gatekeepers.

Related Old Testament Imagery

• Gatekeepers in David’s worship reforms: 1 Chronicles 15:23-24.
• Post-exilic gatekeepers returning with Zerubbabel: Ezra 2:42; Nehemiah 7:45.
• Watchmen on Zion’s walls: Isaiah 62:6-7.

Summary

Strong’s Hebrew 8652 marks a single Aramaic occurrence yet opens a window onto an enduring office critical to the purity, order, and continuity of Israel’s worship. The gatekeepers’ ministry—honored by earthly kings, rooted in divine command, and echoed in New Testament paradigms—invites contemporary believers to value vigilant, humble service that safeguards the holy things of God.

תָרָֽעַיָּא֙ תרעיא ṯā·rā·‘ay·yā ṯārā‘ayyā taraaiYaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts