Good News Translation has the subheading, “Temple guards,” at the beginning of this verse. The gatekeepers include Akkub and Talmon, whose families are also named in 1 Chr 9.17 and Ezra 2.42 where they are included in the list of Levites. They were in charge of the gates of the Temple, not the gates of the city. They kept watch at the gates, that is, they were “the ones watching at the gates.” They served as guards at the gates of the Temple and had responsibility for its security (see Ezra 2.42).

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .