Ezekiel 41:16

The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows [were] covered;

The door posts {H5592}, and the narrow {H331} windows {H2474}, and the galleries {H862} round about {H5439} on their three stories {H7969}, over against {H5048} the door {H5592}, cieled {H7824} with wood {H6086} round about {H5439}, and from the ground {H776} up to the windows {H2474}, and the windows {H2474} were covered {H3680};

as well as the thresholds, narrow windows and galleries around these three, had wood panelling around them as far as the thresholds and from the ground up to the windows; and the windows were covered.

as well as the thresholds and the beveled windows and the galleries all around with their three levels opposite the threshold, were overlaid with wood on all sides. They were paneled from the ground to the windows, and the windows were covered.

the thresholds, and the closed windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the threshold, ceiled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows (now the windows were covered),

Ezekiel 41:16 offers a glimpse into the intricate architectural details of the visionary temple shown to the prophet Ezekiel. This verse specifically describes the interior finishing of certain parts of the temple complex, highlighting the precise design of its "door posts," "narrow windows," and the "galleries" that spanned "three stories," all meticulously "cieled with wood."

Context of Ezekiel 41:16

This verse is embedded within Ezekiel's extended vision of a new temple, a new land, and a new city, spanning chapters 40-48. Given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, this vision served as a profound message of hope, divine presence, and future restoration for the exiled people of Israel. Chapter 41 focuses on the inner sanctuary and its surrounding structures, including the side chambers or buildings adjacent to the main temple. Verse 16 contributes to the overall impression of a divinely ordered and magnificently constructed sacred space.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Order: The exhaustive level of detail in Ezekiel's temple vision, exemplified by this verse's mention of specific elements like "door posts," "narrow windows," and multi-story "galleries," underscores God's meticulous nature. It conveys a sense of divine blueprint and perfect order, leaving nothing to chance in His sacred dwelling place.
  • Glory and Magnificence of God's Dwelling: The description that these structures were "cieled with wood round about" suggests a finished, beautiful, and substantial interior. This speaks to the grandeur appropriate for the dwelling of the Most High God, emphasizing His majesty and the sacredness of His presence. This echoes the rich adornment of Solomon's Temple, which was also paneled with wood.
  • Future Hope and Restoration: While highly detailed, the entire temple vision, including these specific architectural elements, points beyond the immediate circumstances of exile. It serves as a powerful prophecy of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, indicating a future time of renewed worship and God's dwelling among His people, a theme central to the ultimate promise of God's presence with humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cieled with wood" translates the Hebrew verb saphan (סָפַן), which means 'to cover,' 'to panel,' or 'to overlay.' This term implies a high-quality finish, often with expensive materials like cedar, as seen in the construction of Solomon's Temple. The "narrow windows" (Hebrew: shḳuphim aṭumim) suggests windows that were sealed or latticed, perhaps designed to control light or maintain a sense of enclosure and sanctity, rather than offering broad views. This design choice contributes to the solemn and reverent atmosphere of the temple interior.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 41:16, as part of the larger temple vision, reminds us that God values excellence, order, and beauty in all things, especially in matters pertaining to His worship and presence. While interpretations of the temple's literal fulfillment vary, the underlying principles are timeless. This passage encourages us to reflect on the meticulous care God takes in His plans and promises, assuring us of His unwavering faithfulness. It also challenges believers to prepare their own lives as "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), striving for order, beauty, and dedication in our personal walk with God, reflecting the reverence and holiness described in this divine blueprint.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Kings 6:4

    And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.

  • Ezekiel 40:25

    And [there were] windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length [was] fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.

  • 1 Kings 6:15

    ¶ And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the cieling: [and] he covered [them] on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.

  • Ezekiel 40:16

    And [there were] narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows [were] round about inward: and upon [each] post [were] palm trees.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:12

    For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

  • Haggai 1:4

    [Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house [lie] waste?

  • Ezekiel 42:3

    Over against the twenty [cubits] which [were] for the inner court, and over against the pavement which [was] for the utter court, [was] gallery against gallery in three [stories].
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