Amarkol ( Hebrew: אמרכל; plural, אמרכלים, amarkolim), is a title applied to a Temple trustee superintending the cashiers [1] ( gizbarim ). While the three – or, according to the Baraita, [2] thirteen – cashiers handled all the money that flowed into the Temple treasury, "the amarkolim, seven in number, held the seven keys to the seven gates of the Temple hall ( azara ), none opening his gate before all the others had assembled". [3] Above the seven amarkolim were two catholici, and these again were under the supervision of the high priest. [4] [5]
Abba Saul ben Batnit, in his attack against the priestly house of Ishmael ben Fabus, said: "They themselves are high priests, and their sons gizbarim, and their sons-in-law amarkolim". [6] Eleazar, the "chief over the chiefs of the Levites", [7] is given the title of amarkol. [8] Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, as keeper of the keys of the Temple is also called amarkol, [9] and Jeremiah is represented as a descendant of the amarkolim, who had their inheritance in Anathoth. [10] In addition, יוצר in Zechariah 11:13 ( Authorized Version, the potter) is translated in Targum Jonathan, amarkol, [11] meaning treasurer. Adolf Büchler has shown [12] by referring to Josephus, Against Apion 2:8, that certain Temple officers handed the keys of the Temple to their successors each day, as a symbol of their charge — and these were none others than the amarkolim; who were, however, laymen and not priests. And it was in view of this that the title of amarkol was applied to them. [5]
In Targum Onkelos, [13] Targum Jonathan, [14] and Targum Pseudo-Jonathan [15], the title of amarkol is applied to nesiim (princes) and to shomere ha-saf (the doorkeepers), in accordance with Jerusalem Talmud Shekalim Chapter 5, Numbers Rabbah Chapter 3, and Leviticus Rabbah Chapter 5. [5]
According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, the word is from the Persian amarkir or Armenian hamarakar, meaning "master of finance". [5]
Alternative etymologies are given by Rabbi Judah [16] as a contraction of mar kol ("master over all"), and by Rav Chisda [17] as a contraction of amar kulla ("he who has everything to say"). [5]
Amarkol ( Hebrew: אמרכל; plural, אמרכלים, amarkolim), is a title applied to a Temple trustee superintending the cashiers [1] ( gizbarim ). While the three – or, according to the Baraita, [2] thirteen – cashiers handled all the money that flowed into the Temple treasury, "the amarkolim, seven in number, held the seven keys to the seven gates of the Temple hall ( azara ), none opening his gate before all the others had assembled". [3] Above the seven amarkolim were two catholici, and these again were under the supervision of the high priest. [4] [5]
Abba Saul ben Batnit, in his attack against the priestly house of Ishmael ben Fabus, said: "They themselves are high priests, and their sons gizbarim, and their sons-in-law amarkolim". [6] Eleazar, the "chief over the chiefs of the Levites", [7] is given the title of amarkol. [8] Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, as keeper of the keys of the Temple is also called amarkol, [9] and Jeremiah is represented as a descendant of the amarkolim, who had their inheritance in Anathoth. [10] In addition, יוצר in Zechariah 11:13 ( Authorized Version, the potter) is translated in Targum Jonathan, amarkol, [11] meaning treasurer. Adolf Büchler has shown [12] by referring to Josephus, Against Apion 2:8, that certain Temple officers handed the keys of the Temple to their successors each day, as a symbol of their charge — and these were none others than the amarkolim; who were, however, laymen and not priests. And it was in view of this that the title of amarkol was applied to them. [5]
In Targum Onkelos, [13] Targum Jonathan, [14] and Targum Pseudo-Jonathan [15], the title of amarkol is applied to nesiim (princes) and to shomere ha-saf (the doorkeepers), in accordance with Jerusalem Talmud Shekalim Chapter 5, Numbers Rabbah Chapter 3, and Leviticus Rabbah Chapter 5. [5]
According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, the word is from the Persian amarkir or Armenian hamarakar, meaning "master of finance". [5]
Alternative etymologies are given by Rabbi Judah [16] as a contraction of mar kol ("master over all"), and by Rav Chisda [17] as a contraction of amar kulla ("he who has everything to say"). [5]