Ezekiel 41:19

So that the face of a man [was] toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: [it was] made through all the house round about.

So that the face {H6440} of a man {H120} was toward the palm tree {H8561} on the one side, and the face {H6440} of a young lion {H3715} toward the palm tree {H8561} on the other side: it was made {H6213} through all the house {H1004} round about {H5439}.

so that there was the face of a man toward the palm tree on its one side and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on its other side - this was the pattern all the way around the house.

the face of a man was toward the palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion was toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved all the way around the temple.

so that there was the face of a man toward the palm-tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm-tree on the other side. Thus was it made through all the house round about:

Context of Ezekiel 41:19

Ezekiel 41:19 is part of a detailed, visionary description of a new temple given to the prophet Ezekiel by God, starting in Ezekiel chapter 40. This elaborate vision, occurring during the Babylonian exile, served as a powerful message of hope and future restoration for the exiled Israelites. It provided a glimpse into a meticulously designed sanctuary, emphasizing God's desire for a pure and holy place of worship among His people. Verse 19 specifically describes the decorative carvings found throughout the inner and outer walls of this magnificent, prophetic temple, highlighting the intricate details of its construction and symbolism.

Key Themes and Symbolism

  • Divine Detail and Order: The meticulous descriptions in Ezekiel 41, including the specific carvings of man, lion, and palm tree, underscore God's precision and His deep concern for order and beauty in worship. Every element of the visionary temple was designed according to divine instruction, reflecting God's perfect plan.
  • Symbolism of Figures:
    • The Face of a Man: Often symbolizes intelligence, wisdom, or humanity. In the context of the temple, it might represent the presence of humanity in worship, or perhaps the wisdom required to approach God.
    • The Face of a Young Lion: Represents strength, royalty, courage, and dominion. The lion is a significant biblical symbol, often associated with the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9) and ultimately with Christ, the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5). Its presence in the temple imagery speaks to divine power and authority.
    • The Palm Tree: Frequently symbolizes righteousness, prosperity, victory, and flourishing. The righteous are likened to flourishing palm trees in Psalm 92:12. Its inclusion suggests the flourishing and blessed state associated with God's presence and true worship.
  • Holiness and Glory: The repeated patterns of these symbolic figures, "through all the house round about," emphasize the pervasive holiness and glory of the temple. The imagery collectively points to a place where God's strength, wisdom, and blessing are manifest.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "man" (אדם - 'adam), "young lion" (כפיר - kĕphîr), and "palm tree" (תמר - tāmār) are straightforward and carry their common meanings. The significance lies not in complex etymology, but in the rich symbolic associations these figures held within ancient Near Eastern and biblical cultures. The pairing and alternating arrangement of these symbols suggest a balance of divine attributes and the characteristics expected of those who would worship in God's presence.

Practical Application

While Ezekiel's temple vision has various interpretations (literal future temple, symbolic representation of the church, or the heavenly temple), the underlying principles offer valuable lessons:

  • God's Attention to Detail: This passage reminds us that God is a God of order and beauty. He cares about the details of our lives and our worship, encouraging us to offer our best.
  • The Nature of True Worship: The presence of man, lion, and palm tree imagery can inspire us to approach God with both humility (man) and reverence for His power (lion), expecting to flourish in His presence (palm tree).
  • Hope and Restoration: For the exiles, this vision was a profound promise of God's enduring presence and future restoration. For believers today, it reinforces the hope of God's ultimate plan for redemption and the establishment of His kingdom, where His glory will fill all things (Habakkuk 2:14).
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.

  • Ezekiel 10:14

    And every one had four faces: the first face [was] the face of a cherub, and the second face [was] the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

  • Ezekiel 1:10

    As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

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