Rephael

ShemaiahEnglish

A man from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.26.7.

Rephael is briefly mentioned in the book of 1 Chronicles as one of the gatekeepers of the temple during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 26:7). He was a descendant of Obed-Edom, who was a Levite entrusted with the care of the Ark of the Covenant (1Ch.13.13-14; 26.4-8). The gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple and ensuring that only authorized individuals were allowed to enter (1 Chronicles 9:17-27). They also had duties related to the maintenance and organization of the temple. The mention of Rephael as a gatekeeper highlights the importance of this role in maintaining the sanctity and security of the temple, which was the center of worship for the Israelites.