The Overseer of the Gates and the Choirs
The name Bakbukiah is recorded in the books of Nehemiah and Chronicles, identifying a key Levite who played an important administrative role during the crucial time when the Jewish remnant was rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the Temple service after returning from Babylon.
The name Bakbukiah is a compound Hebrew name, likely meaning “the Lord makes empty” or “wasting of the Lord,” which might be a prayerful reflection on the discipline of the exile and the subsequent emptying of the land of its former paganism. Alternatively, it is a variation of the family name Bakbuk (“bottle”), suggesting a continued identity among the servants of the Sanctuary.
The Overseer of the Temple
Baaseiah is listed twice in the records, confirming his significance in the new order of Temple ministry established by Nehemiah:
- Overseer in Jerusalem: He was among the Levites who were specifically chosen to dwell in the newly repopulated Jerusalem to ensure that the city’s spiritual life was sustained. His role was clearly administrative and ceremonial, managing the physical and spiritual boundaries of the holy city.
Nehemiah 11:17 (KJV): “And Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.”
He is listed as the “second among his brethren” in connection with the Levites who were charged with leading the “thanksgiving in prayer.” This elevated position indicates that Bakbukiah was a chief coordinator or deputy to the main worship leader, underscoring his spiritual authority in the renewed service.
- Gatekeeper of the Treasuries: Bakbukiah is also noted among the Gatekeepers—the men responsible for maintaining the security, order, and integrity of the Temple complex, including the storage of the sacred vessels and offerings.
Nehemiah 12:25 (KJV): “Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.”
His duty as a porter, or gatekeeper, shows that he was entrusted with preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the Temple remained a place of sanctity. The gatekeepers were the spiritual watchmen of the physical sanctuary.
The Significance of Ordered Worship
Bakbukiah’s life demonstrates that the true restoration of God’s people requires both spiritual fervor (leading thanksgiving and prayer) and practical order (keeping the gates). His example teaches us two critical lessons for the “Defence of the Truth”:
- Balance of Ministry: Effective worship is never chaotic. It requires leaders who can both inspire praise and meticulously manage the logistical and security details of the sanctuary. Bakbukiah excelled at both, serving as a pillar of both reverence and order.
- The Second-in-Command: His designation as “the second among his brethren” highlights the importance of loyal, capable deputies in spiritual leadership. Many times, the success of a great movement relies on the competence of the dedicated person serving immediately beneath the principal leader.
The Defence of Vigilance
For those awaiting the Lord’s Return, the example of Bakbukiah, the diligent overseer, is a call to vigilant watchfulness. Like the Temple gatekeepers, we are charged with guarding the purity of the church and our personal walk, ensuring no spiritual corruption or false doctrine enters the “sanctuary.”
We are called to be both fervent in our praise and prayer, and diligent in our oversight, maintaining the spiritual order of our lives until the Chief Shepherd returns to inspect His sheep and His gates.