The name Akkub (Hebrew: ‘Aqqûb, possibly meaning “insidious” or “follower”) belongs to at least three, and possibly four, different men mentioned in the historical books of the Old Testament. While none are central figures, they played essential roles in the royal lineage and the re-establishment of the Temple service after the Babylonian exile.
The Multiple Identities of Akkub
The King James Version of the Bible refers to multiple individuals named Akkub, each holding a distinct role in Israel’s history:
1. Akkub, the Royal Descendant
This Akkub holds a place in the direct royal line of David, a lineage that eventually leads to Jesus Christ.
- Scriptural Reference: He is found in the post-exilic genealogy that continues the family line of King David through his son Solomon.
- The King James Version (KJV) Scripture:“And the sons of Elioenai were, Hodaiah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven.” — 1 Chronicles 3:24 (KJV)
- Significance: His inclusion in this list confirms the meticulous preservation of the Davidic line, tracing the legal right to the throne through a descendant of Zerubbabel, who led the first return of the exiles.
2. Akkub, the Temple Porter (Gatekeeper)
The most prominent Akkub is a Levite serving a crucial, though sometimes overlooked, function at the Temple.
- Role: He was one of the porters (gatekeepers) responsible for guarding the sacred precincts of the restored Second Temple in Jerusalem. This duty involved maintaining order, controlling access, and securing the Temple treasuries.
- The King James Version (KJV) Scriptures:“And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief; who hitherto waited in the king’s gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.” — 1 Chronicles 9:17 (KJV)He is also mentioned as a family head of porters who returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:42; Nehemiah 7:45; 11:19; 12:25).
3. Akkub, the Interpreter of the Law
This individual served under the leadership of the priest Ezra in the great public reading of the Law after the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt.
- Role: He was one of the Levites who “caused the people to understand the law,” interpreting the Scripture for the congregation.
- The King James Version (KJV) Scripture:“Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.” — Nehemiah 8:7 (KJV)
Prophetic Hotspot: The Guardian and Interpreter
The dual roles of Akkub as a Gatekeeper and an Interpreter of the Law are profoundly symbolic of the Church’s function in the latter days.
- The Porter/Gatekeeper: The work of the gatekeeper was one of vigilance and separation, ensuring that only the ceremonially clean entered the house of God.
- This foreshadows the call for the Church to maintain the purity of the sanctuary—the body of believers—and to exercise discernment in the last days, watching for the coming of the Lord.
- The Interpreter/Teacher: The work of the interpreter was one of enlightenment and understanding, making the written Word clear to the common person.
- This represents the continuous need for the faithful teaching of the Word, especially as it relates to the prophecies of Christ’s Second Coming (The Lord’s Return).
The Return Question: Guarding the Gates of Truth
Question for Discussion: The name Akkub is associated with faithfully guarding the physical gate of the Temple and expounding the spiritual gate of the Law. As we focus on The Lord’s Return and the imminent end of this age, what are the modern “gates of truth” that the Church must diligently guard from corruption and compromise, and how does the example of Akkub, the faithful Levite, inspire us to ensure the pure interpretation of prophecy is made plain to all people, as we await our King’s arrival?