7778. shoer
Lexical Summary
shoer: Gatekeeper, doorkeeper

Original Word: שׁוֹעֵר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: show`er
Pronunciation: sho-AYR
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-are')
KJV: doorkeeper, porter
NASB: gatekeepers, gatekeeper, keeper
Word Origin: [active participle of H8176 (שָׁעַר - thinks) (as denominative from H8179 (שַׁעַר - gate))]

1. a janitor

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
doorkeeper, porter

Or shomer {sho-are'}: active participle of sha'ar (as denominative from sha'ar); a janitor -- doorkeeper, porter.

see HEBREW sha'ar

see HEBREW sha'ar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as shaar
Definition
a gatekeeper
NASB Translation
gatekeeper (2), gatekeepers (33), gatekeepers* (1), keeper (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שֹׁעֵר37 noun masculine porter (denominative from שַׁעַר); — absolute ׳שׁוֺ2Chronicles 31:14, construct ׳שֹׁ 2 Kings 7:10; 1 Chronicles 9:21, + feminine שׁוֺעֶ֫רֶת 2 Samuel 4:6 (for ᵑ0 [וֺךְ] בֹּאוּ עַד תּ) We Dr HPS Bu Now after ᵐ5 (Th מְּקִידַת דֶּלֶת); plural שֹׁעֲרִים 2 Kings 7:11 +; construct שֹׁעֲרֵי2Chronicles 23:4; — porter of city gate 2 Kings 7:10,11 (2 Samuel 18:26 read הַשַּׁעַר ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Th We Dr and most); portress of house 2 Samuel 4:6 (see above); elsewhere (34 t. Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah) of gate-keepers in sanctuary 1 Chronicles 9:17,18,24 +; 4,000 in number, 1 Chronicles 23:5; ׳שׁ מֶּתַח לְאֹהֶל מוֺעֵד 1 Chronicles 9:21; שֹׁעֲרִים בַּסִּמִּים 1 Chronicles 9:22; לָאָרוֺן ׳שׁ 1 Chronicles 15:23,24; שֹׁעֲרֵי הַסִּמִּים2Chronicles 23:4; בְּנֵי הַשֹּׁעֲרִים Ezra 2:42.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

The שׁוֹעֵר is the official “gatekeeper” or “doorkeeper” who stands guard at entrances to sacred or civic precincts. In the Old Testament the term is applied almost exclusively to Levites entrusted with guarding the gates of the tabernacle, the First Temple, and, after the exile, the restored Second Temple precincts. The office is mentioned about thirty-seven times, with the great majority clustered in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

Old Testament Distribution

Genesis to Deuteronomy – none

Historical Books – scattered references (notably 2 Kings 7:10–11; 2 Kings 12:9)

1 Chronicles – extensive genealogical and administrative material (chapters 9, 15, 16, 23, 26)

2 Chronicles – accounts of royal reforms and Temple work (chapters 8, 23, 24, 29, 31, 34, 35)

Ezra – returnees and Temple exemptions (Ezra 2:42; 7:24; 10:24)

Nehemiah – wall dedication and covenant renewal (Nehemiah 7:1, 45; 10:29; 11:19; 12:25, 45)

Psalms – the attitude of humble preference for the post (Psalm 84:10, conceptually)

Historical Development

1. Early Monarchy

Gatekeepers appear in the days of David and Samuel when worship was centralized (1 Chronicles 9:22). From that point the office became hereditary within Levitical clans, primarily among the Korahites and the descendants of Obed-Edom.

2. First Temple Period

Solomon confirmed the Levitical divisions instituted by David (2 Chronicles 8:14). Gatekeepers guarded each of the Temple’s main thresholds, maintained order, collected freewill offerings (2 Kings 12:9), and barred anyone ceremonially unclean (2 Chronicles 23:19).

3. Reforms under Hezekiah and Josiah

During Hezekiah’s cleansing of the Temple, gatekeepers reopened shuttered doors (2 Chronicles 29:14). Under Josiah they supervised repairs and ensured funds reached the workmen (2 Chronicles 34:13).

4. Exile and Restoration

Though exiled with the rest of Judah, the gatekeepers remained a distinct body. Seventy-four of them are listed among the first returnees (Ezra 2:42). By Nehemiah’s day their number had risen, and they formed a key part of the city’s defense as well as its worship life (Nehemiah 7:1).

Levitical Appointment and Organization

• Genealogical Roots – Chiefly from the families of the Korahites (1 Chronicles 9:19) and the sons of Obed-Edom (1 Chronicles 15:23-24; 26:4-8).
• Numbering – Two hundred twelve were “enrolled… and David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust” (1 Chronicles 9:22).
• Rotations – They served in organized watches, sharing day and night duties (1 Chronicles 9:25-27).
• Chief Gatekeepers – Four principal men oversaw the main directions of approach: north, south, east, and west (1 Chronicles 9:24; 26:17-18).

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Guarding Access

“He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD so that no one who was unclean in any way could enter” (2 Chronicles 23:19). Their presence preserved the holiness of worship.

2. Oversight of Treasuries and Storerooms

Certain gatekeepers were given charge of vessels and supplies; others watched over the Temple treasury (1 Chronicles 26:20-22).

3. Collection of Offerings

Jehoiada placed a chest beside the altar “and the gatekeepers put it at the entrance to the house of the LORD” for receiving funds (2 Chronicles 24:8-10).

4. Participation in Processions and Praise

During David’s transport of the ark, gatekeepers blew trumpets and opened the way (1 Chronicles 15:23-24). In the wall-dedication ceremony of Nehemiah 12 they again combined watchfulness with worship.

5. Civil Functions

Outside of the Temple, city “porters” announced news (2 Kings 7:10-11) and controlled palace thresholds.

Post-Exilic Contributions

• Restoration of Worship – Ezra received an imperial decree exempting “priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants” from taxation (Ezra 7:24), underscoring their permanent role.
• Covenant Accountability – Gatekeepers signed the renewed covenant to observe the Law (Nehemiah 10:29).
• Sabbath Sanctity – Nehemiah relied on them to keep commercial traffic out of Jerusalem on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:19-22, implied by function).

Spiritual Themes and Lessons

Watchfulness – The office enshrines the call to vigilance. Just as gatekeepers guarded sanctity, believers are to “keep [themselves] in the love of God” (Jude 21).

Humility and Honor – Psalm 84:10 proclaims, “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” The verse captures the humble contentment of the שׁוֹעֵר.

Stewardship – Their trust over treasure foreshadows the principle that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Separation unto God – By admitting only the clean, they illustrate the New Covenant charge to maintain moral and doctrinal purity within the church (2 Timothy 2:19-21).

Christological and Ecclesial Implications

Jesus declared, “I am the door” (John 10:9), fulfilling in His own person what the gatekeepers symbolized: controlled access to the presence of God. In the church age, elders and teachers function spiritually as gatekeepers, guarding sound doctrine (Titus 1:9) and ensuring worthy participation in ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Key References

1 Chronicles 9:22 – foundational appointment

1 Chronicles 26:12 – divisions “had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD”

2 Kings 12:9 – oversight of the offering chest

2 Chronicles 23:19 – protection of holiness

Ezra 7:24 – imperial exemption

Nehemiah 7:1 – placement after the wall’s completion

Nehemiah 12:25 – gatekeepers “standing guard at the storerooms of the gates”

Summary

The שׁוֹעֵר embodies a ministry of guarded access, faithful stewardship, and continual readiness. His presence at the gate upheld the holiness of worship in Israel’s past, foreshadowed the exclusivity of salvation through Christ, and models vigilant service for the people of God in every generation.

Forms and Transliterations
הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֑ים הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֜ים הַשֹּׁ֣עֲרִ֔ים הַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים הַשֹּׁעֲרִ֔ים הַשֹּׁעֲרִֽים׃ הַשֹּׁעֵ֔ר הַשּׁ֣וֹעֲרִ֔ים הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים הַשּׁוֹעֵ֣ר השוער השוערים השער השערים השערים׃ וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֖ים וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֛ים וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִים֙ וְהַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֖ים וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֛ים וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִים֩ וְשׁוֹעֲרִֽים׃ והשוערים והשערים ושוערים׃ לְשֹֽׁעֲרֵ֖י לְשֹׁעֲרִ֑ים לְשֹׁעֲרִ֣ים לְשֹׁעֲרִֽים׃ לשערי לשערים לשערים׃ שֹׁעֲרִ֑ים שֹׁעֲרִ֖ים שֹׁעֵ֣ר שֹׁעֵ֥ר שֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ שוערים שער שערים haš·šō·‘ă·rîm haš·šō·‘êr haš·šō·w·‘ă·rîm haš·šō·w·‘êr hashshoaRim hashshoEr haššō‘ărîm haššō‘êr haššōw‘ărîm haššōw‘êr lə·šō·‘ă·rê lə·šō·‘ă·rîm leshoaRei leshoaRim ləšō‘ărê ləšō‘ărîm shoaRim shoEr šō‘ărîm šō‘êr šō·‘ă·rîm šō·‘êr šō·w·‘ă·rîm šōw‘ărîm vehashshoaRim veshoaRim wə·haš·šō·‘ă·rîm wə·haš·šō·w·‘ă·rîm wə·šō·w·‘ă·rîm wəhaššō‘ărîm wəhaššōw‘ărîm wəšōw‘ărîm
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 18:26
HEB: הַצֹּפֶה֙ אֶל־ הַשֹּׁעֵ֔ר וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־
NAS: called to the gatekeeper and said,
KJV: called unto the porter, and said,
INT: and the watchman to the gatekeeper and said Behold

2 Kings 7:10
HEB: וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֮ אֶל־ שֹׁעֵ֣ר הָעִיר֒ וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ
NAS: and called to the gatekeepers of the city,
KJV: and called unto the porter of the city:
INT: and called to the gatekeepers of the city told

2 Kings 7:11
HEB: וַיִּקְרָ֖א הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֑ים וַיַּגִּ֕ידוּ בֵּ֥ית
NAS: The gatekeepers called and told
KJV: And he called the porters; and they told
INT: called the gatekeepers and told household

1 Chronicles 9:17
HEB: וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִים֙ שַׁלּ֣וּם וְעַקּ֔וּב
NAS: Now the gatekeepers [were] Shallum
KJV: And the porters [were], Shallum,
INT: now the gatekeepers Shallum and Akkub

1 Chronicles 9:18
HEB: מִזְרָ֑חָה הֵ֚מָּה הַשֹּׁ֣עֲרִ֔ים לְמַחֲנ֖וֹת בְּנֵ֥י
NAS: These [were] the gatekeepers for the camp
KJV: eastward: they [were] porters in the companies
INT: eastward like the gatekeepers the camp of the sons

1 Chronicles 9:21
HEB: בֶּ֣ן מְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֔ה שֹׁעֵ֥ר פֶּ֖תַח לְאֹ֥הֶל
NAS: of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance
KJV: of Meshelemiah [was] porter of the door
INT: the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent

1 Chronicles 9:22
HEB: כֻּלָּ֤ם הַבְּרוּרִים֙ לְשֹׁעֲרִ֣ים בַּסִּפִּ֔ים מָאתַ֖יִם
NAS: these who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds
KJV: All these [which were] chosen to be porters in the gates
INT: these chosen to be porters the gates hundred

1 Chronicles 9:24
HEB: רוּח֔וֹת יִהְי֖וּ הַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים מִזְרָ֥ח יָ֖מָּה
NAS: The gatekeepers were on the four
KJV: quarters were the porters, toward the east,
INT: sides become the gatekeepers to the east west

1 Chronicles 9:26
HEB: אַרְבַּ֙עַת֙ גִּבֹּרֵ֣י הַשֹּׁעֲרִ֔ים הֵ֖ם הַלְוִיִּ֑ם
NAS: chief gatekeepers who
KJV: chief porters, were in [their] set office,
INT: the four chief gatekeepers who Levites

1 Chronicles 15:18
HEB: אֱדֹ֛ם וִֽיעִיאֵ֖ל הַשֹּׁעֲרִֽים׃
NAS: Obed-edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.
KJV: and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
INT: Obed-edom and Jeiel the gatekeepers

1 Chronicles 15:23
HEB: וּבֶֽרֶכְיָה֙ וְאֶלְקָנָ֔ה שֹׁעֲרִ֖ים לָאָרֽוֹן׃
NAS: and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.
KJV: and Elkanah [were] doorkeepers for the ark.
INT: Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers the ark

1 Chronicles 15:24
HEB: אֱדֹם֙ וִֽיחִיָּ֔ה שֹׁעֲרִ֖ים לָאָרֽוֹן׃
NAS: and Jehiah also [were] gatekeepers for the ark.
KJV: and Jehiah [were] doorkeepers for the ark.
INT: Obed-edom and Jehiah also gatekeepers the ark

1 Chronicles 16:38
HEB: יְדִית֛וּן וְחֹסָ֖ה לְשֹׁעֲרִֽים׃
NAS: of Jeduthun, and Hosah as gatekeepers.
KJV: of Jeduthun and Hosah [to be] porters:
INT: of Jeduthun and Hosah gatekeepers

1 Chronicles 23:5
HEB: וְאַרְבַּ֥עַת אֲלָפִ֖ים שֹׁעֲרִ֑ים וְאַרְבַּ֤עַת אֲלָפִים֙
NAS: and 4,000 [were] gatekeepers, and 4,000
KJV: thousand [were] porters; and four
INT: four thousand porters and four thousand

1 Chronicles 26:1
HEB: לְמַחְלְק֖וֹת לְשֹׁעֲרִ֑ים לַקָּרְחִ֕ים מְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֥הוּ
NAS: For the divisions of the gatekeepers [there were] of the Korahites,
KJV: Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites
INT: the divisions of the gatekeepers the Korahites Meshelemiah

1 Chronicles 26:12
HEB: לְ֠אֵלֶּה מַחְלְק֨וֹת הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֜ים לְרָאשֵׁ֧י הַגְּבָרִ֛ים
NAS: divisions of the gatekeepers, the chief
KJV: Among these [were] the divisions of the porters, [even] among the chief
INT: to these divisions of the gatekeepers the chief men

1 Chronicles 26:19
HEB: אֵ֗לֶּה מַחְלְקוֹת֙ הַשֹּׁ֣עֲרִ֔ים לִבְנֵ֥י הַקָּרְחִ֖י
NAS: were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons
KJV: These [are] the divisions of the porters among the sons
INT: These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah

2 Chronicles 8:14
HEB: י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים בְּמַחְלְקוֹתָ֖ם לְשַׁ֣עַר
NAS: rule, and the gatekeepers by their divisions
KJV: required: the porters also by their courses
INT: to the daily to the daily and the gatekeepers their divisions every

2 Chronicles 23:4
HEB: לַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְלַלְוִיִּ֔ם לְשֹֽׁעֲרֵ֖י הַסִּפִּֽים׃
NAS: in on the sabbath, [shall be] gatekeepers,
KJV: and of the Levites, [shall be] porters of the doors;
INT: of the priests and Levites porters of the doors

2 Chronicles 23:19
HEB: וַֽיַּעֲמֵד֙ הַשּׁ֣וֹעֲרִ֔ים עַֽל־ שַׁעֲרֵ֖י
NAS: He stationed the gatekeepers of the house
KJV: And he set the porters at the gates
INT: stationed the gatekeepers at the gates

2 Chronicles 31:14
HEB: יִמְנָ֤ה הַלֵּוִי֙ הַשּׁוֹעֵ֣ר לַמִּזְרָ֔חָה עַ֖ל
NAS: the Levite, the keeper of the eastern
KJV: the Levite, the porter toward the east,
INT: of Imnah the Levite the keeper of the eastern over

2 Chronicles 34:13
HEB: סוֹפְרִ֥ים וְשֹׁטְרִ֖ים וְשׁוֹעֲרִֽים׃
NAS: and officials and gatekeepers.
KJV: and officers, and porters.
INT: scribes and officials and gatekeepers

2 Chronicles 35:15
HEB: חוֹזֵ֣ה הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֖ים לְשַׁ֣עַר וָשָׁ֑עַר
NAS: seer; and the gatekeepers at each
KJV: seer; and the porters [waited] at every gate;
INT: seer the king's and the gatekeepers each gate

Ezra 2:42
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים בְּנֵי־ שַׁלּ֤וּם
NAS: The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons
KJV: The children of the porters: the children
INT: the children of the porters the children of Shallum

Ezra 2:70
HEB: הָעָ֞ם וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֧ים וְהַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֛ים וְהַנְּתִינִ֖ים בְּעָרֵיהֶ֑ם
NAS: the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants
KJV: and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims,
INT: of the people the singers the gatekeepers and the temple their cities

37 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7778
37 Occurrences


haš·šō·‘ă·rîm — 13 Occ.
haš·šō·‘êr — 2 Occ.
lə·šō·‘ă·rê — 1 Occ.
lə·šō·‘ă·rîm — 3 Occ.
šō·‘ă·rîm — 4 Occ.
šō·‘êr — 2 Occ.
wə·haš·šō·‘ă·rîm — 11 Occ.
wə·šō·w·‘ă·rîm — 1 Occ.

7777b
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