Akkub

At a Glance

An Old Testament personal name appearing in family records, return-from-exile lists, and references to temple gatekeepers.

Key Points

• A proper name, not a doctrine or concept.
• Appears in genealogical and post-exilic passages.
• Most often associated with gatekeepers and temple service.
• Best treated as a biographical/onomastic entry, not a theological term.

Description

Akkub is a biblical proper name borne by more than one Old Testament figure or family line. The name appears in genealogical material and in post-exilic lists connected with temple gatekeepers and the restored community in Judah. In these passages Akkub functions as an identifying name rather than as a theological category. A dictionary entry should therefore present Akkub as a proper-name entry, briefly distinguishing its biblical occurrences and noting its association with temple service and the return from exile.

Biblical Context

The Old Testament places Akkub in settings that emphasize Israel's continuity after judgment and exile. The name appears in genealogies and in lists of gatekeepers who served at the temple and in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of ordered worship and covenant identity in the restored community.

Historical Context

The post-exilic references reflect the reestablishment of temple life after the Babylonian exile. Lists of gatekeepers and returning families helped define who belonged to the restored community and who served in sacred administration.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In ancient Israel and the Second Temple period, family names in genealogies and service lists were significant markers of identity, inheritance, and ritual responsibility. Akkub appears in that kind of administrative and covenantal record.

Primary Key Texts

• 1 Chr 3:24
• 1 Chr 9:17
• Ezra 2:42, 45
• Neh 7:45
• Neh 11:19
• Neh 12:25

Secondary Key Texts

• 1 Chr 9:17
• Ezra 2:42, 45
• Neh 7:45

Original Language Note

Hebrew proper name, usually transliterated Akkub; the entry functions as a name marker rather than a term with developed theological vocabulary.

Theological Significance

Akkub has no direct doctrinal meaning, but its appearance in post-exilic and temple-service lists supports themes of preservation, restoration, and orderly worship among God's people.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Akkub does not carry an abstract philosophical concept. Its significance is historical and canonical: Scripture preserves concrete names and family lines as part of God's dealings with his people.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not turn Akkub into a theological idea. Distinguish the different biblical references, and avoid overstating how many individuals are in view if the context is simply a family or clan designation.

Major Views

No major doctrinal views are attached to this entry. The main interpretive issue is whether a given reference names a particular person or a family line in a list of temple servants.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should not be used to teach doctrine. It belongs in the category of biblical names and historical references, not theology proper.

Practical Significance

Akkub reminds readers that Scripture values names, families, and service roles in the life of God's people. Even brief list entries contribute to the Bible's account of restoration, continuity, and worship.

Related Entries

• gatekeepers
• Levites
• post-exilic restoration
• temple service
• genealogies
• Zerubbabel

See Also

• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Chronicles
• gatekeepers
• Levites