נחמיה, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ט

Guarding the sacred entrances of the Temple was a highly organized and vital duty entrusted specifically to the Levites. The gatekeepers held a unique position, carrying the heavy responsibility of maintaining the security and sanctity of the holy site. Among these dedicated guards were leaders such as Akkub and Talmon, who, along with their fellow Levites, made up a total force of one hundred and seventy-two men.

This specific count fills in a crucial detail left out of other historical records. The parallel account in the Book of Chronicles lists four main leaders of the gatekeepers—Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman—but does not provide the total size of the group. In the current account, while only Akkub and Talmon are mentioned by name, their other two fellow leaders, Shallum and Ahiman, are included alongside them simply as their brothers.

The total of one hundred and seventy-two reflects a highly precise system designed for the daily operations of the Temple. Out of this group, four served as the head gatekeepers. The remaining one hundred and sixty-eight guards were divided evenly across the seven days of the week. This exact mathematical division allowed for exactly twenty-four Levites to be stationed on duty each day, directly corresponding to the twenty-four official guard posts maintained throughout the Temple grounds [מלבי״ם].