Ater אָטֵר
Head of a family of gatekeepers who returned from exile
Who is Ater in the Bible?
Ater was the head of a family of gatekeepers who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, as recorded in Ezra 2:42 and Nehemiah 7:45. The gatekeepers, also called doorkeepers, held an important role in temple service, responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple and maintaining order within its sacred precincts. Ater's family was among those who joined Zerubbabel's group of returning exiles, contributing directly to the restoration of temple worship and the reestablishment of proper religious service in Jerusalem after the exile. Though little is known about Ater as an individual, his inclusion in these genealogical records underscores the importance of the gatekeeper families in rebuilding Israel's spiritual life and securing the sanctity of the restored temple.
Biography
Ater is mentioned in the lists of people who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, as recorded in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. He was the head of a family of gatekeepers, also known as doorkeepers, who were responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple and maintaining order within its precincts. The gatekeepers played a crucial role in ensuring the security and sanctity of the temple. Ater's family, along with other gatekeepers, joined the group of exiles led by Zerubbabel in their return to Jerusalem, contributing to the restoration of temple worship and service.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:42
"The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 139 in all."
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Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:45
"The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 138 in all."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אָטֵר |