· Translation: KJV

1 Chronicles 16:38and Obed-Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;

The setting

Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. While musicians get the spotlight, doorkeepers are assigned the humble but crucial role of guarding access to God's presence in modern-day Israel.

The emotion here: methodical recording of faithful people in humble positions

The original word

sho'arim (שֹׁעֲרִים) — gatekeepers, doorkeepers — those who control access and maintain sacred boundaries

Why it matters

Obed-Edom had been blessed with prosperity when the Ark stayed at his house for three months

Read with care

What most readers miss in 1 Chronicles 16:38

Obed-Edom went from accidentally housing the Ark to being permanently appointed as a temple gatekeeper

Common misconceptionPeople skip this verse as boring genealogy, but it shows that God remembers and honors every faithful person, even those with unglamorous jobs like doorkeeping.

Bible Genome reading

1 Chronicles 16:38 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerNarrator
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionresting
Literary typenarrative

Emotional genome

Comfort power30%
Quotability20%
Memorability20%
Crisis relevance20%
Standalone30%
Themes:temple organizationpriestly duties

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 16:38 comes from the book of 1 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include temple organization, priestly duties. Notable phrases: Obed-Edom; sixty-eight; doorkeepers.

Your reflection

What does 1 Chronicles 16:38 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "resting"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.