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Translation
King James Version
The posts of the temple were squared, and the face of the sanctuary; the appearance of the one as the appearance of the other.
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KJV (with Strong's)
The posts H4201 of the temple H1964 were squared H7251, and the face H6440 of the sanctuary H6944; the appearance H4758 of the one as the appearance H4758 of the other.
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Complete Jewish Bible
As for the sanctuary, the door-frames were squared, and the appearance of the [Especially] Holy Place was like the appearance [I saw at the K'var River].
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Berean Standard Bible
The outer sanctuary had a rectangular doorframe, and the doorframe of the sanctuary was similar.
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American Standard Version
As for the temple, the door-posts were squared; and as for the face of the sanctuary, the appearance thereof was as the appearance of the temple.
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World English Bible Messianic
As for the temple, the door posts were squared; and as for the face of the sanctuary, its appearance was as the appearance of the temple.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
The postes of the Temple were squared, and thus to looke vnto was the similitude and forme of the Sanctuarie.
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Young's Literal Translation
Of the temple the side post is square, and of the front of the sanctuary, the appearance is as the appearance.
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In the KJVVerse 21,548 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ezekiel 41:21 offers a precise architectural detail within the prophet's sweeping vision of a future temple, highlighting the meticulous design and inherent perfection of God's dwelling place. The verse specifically describes the squared structural posts of the temple and the consistent, uniform appearance of the sanctuary's face, underscoring a divine blueprint characterized by absolute order, symmetry, and flawless execution, all pointing to the inherent perfection and holiness demanded by God's presence.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is intricately woven into the highly detailed architectural blueprint of the temple vision, which spans Ezekiel 40-48. Following the extensive measurements of the outer and inner courts in Ezekiel 40, Ezekiel 41 meticulously describes the temple building itself, including its walls, chambers, and various internal features. Verse 21 specifically focuses on the structural integrity and aesthetic consistency of the main sanctuary, indicating the divine precision that governs every aspect of this sacred edifice. The exhaustive nature of these descriptions serves to convey the reality and divine origin of the vision, leaving no doubt about the meticulousness of God's design for His dwelling place and its profound significance for a restored Israel.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Ezekiel received this profound vision during the Babylonian exile, a period of deep despair for the Jewish people who had witnessed the catastrophic destruction of Solomon's Temple and their beloved homeland. In this context of national trauma and spiritual desolation, the detailed vision of a new, glorious temple offered a powerful message of hope, restoration, and the enduring presence of God. The emphasis on precise measurements and perfect symmetry would have resonated deeply with ancient Near Eastern architectural traditions, where temples were seen as microcosms reflecting cosmic order and divine perfection. For the exiles, this vision was not merely about a physical building but symbolized God's enduring covenant, His promise to return to His people, and the re-establishment of true worship in a perfectly ordered and purified community, contrasting sharply with the chaos and defilement that led to their exile, as vividly depicted in earlier chapters like Ezekiel 8.
  • Key Themes: The meticulous description in Ezekiel 41:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel. First, it powerfully highlights Divine Precision and Order, demonstrating that God's plans are not haphazard but are executed with absolute exactness and intentionality. The "squared" posts and uniform "appearance" speak to a divine blueprint that leaves no room for imperfection, mirroring God's own flawless character. Second, it underscores the Holiness of the Sanctuary, emphasizing that the place where God dwells must be set apart and perfectly ordered, reflecting His own transcendent purity. This attention to detail reinforces the sanctity of the temple as the locus of divine presence and pure worship, a theme prevalent throughout the Law, such as the meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle in Exodus 25. Finally, the vision as a whole, and these specific details within it, powerfully convey Eschatological Hope and Restoration. For a people in exile, the promise of a perfectly designed temple, where God's glory would return (as prophesied in Ezekiel 43:1-5), offered a tangible vision of future redemption and the re-establishment of a purified community centered on God.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • squared (Hebrew, râbaʻ', H7251): A primitive root meaning "to be four (sided)" or "to be quadrate." This term emphasizes the geometric regularity, stability, and structural integrity of the temple's elements. It conveys a sense of deliberate and precise construction, where every part is measured and fitted with exactitude, ensuring both strength and perfect form. This signifies divine craftsmanship that leaves no room for imperfection.
  • face (Hebrew, pânîym', H6440): Meaning "the face (as the part that turns)." While literally referring to a physical face, in architectural contexts, it denotes the front, surface, or visible aspect of a structure. Here, it refers to the visible exterior or front plane of the sanctuary, indicating that its outward presentation was also subject to the same divine standard of precision and uniformity. It speaks to the aesthetic perfection and intentional design of the sacred space's most prominent feature.
  • appearance (Hebrew, marʼeh', H4758): Meaning "a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape... or (mental) a vision." The repetition of this word in the phrase "the appearance of the one as the appearance of the other" forcefully conveys the idea of identical form, symmetry, and visual consistency between the different parts or aspects being described. It highlights the aesthetic perfection, harmonious design, and unified visual impression of the divine architecture, emphasizing its flawless and unblemished nature.

Verse Breakdown

  • "The posts of the temple [were] squared": This initial clause describes the fundamental structural elements of the temple—specifically the doorposts (H4201, mᵉzûwzâh) or main supports of the holy building (H1964, hêykâl)—as being perfectly four-sided. This detail signifies not only exceptional structural integrity and stability but also a meticulous adherence to geometric precision. It implies that even the most foundational components of God's dwelling place were crafted with divine exactitude, reflecting order and perfection from the very ground up. This precision ensures the building's strength and symbolizes the unshakeable nature of God's presence.
  • "[and] the face of the sanctuary;": This phrase extends the description of divine precision to the visible exterior or front surface (H6440, pânîym) of the most sacred part of the temple, the sanctuary (H6944, qôdesh). It suggests that the outward presentation and design of the holy place were also carefully considered and executed according to divine standards. This "face" would be the initial visual impression for anyone entering, and its perfection speaks to the overall sanctity, beauty, and awe-inspiring nature of the structure, reflecting the glory of the God who dwells within.
  • "the appearance [of the one] as the appearance [of the other].": This concluding clause powerfully emphasizes the profound symmetry, uniformity, and harmonious consistency within the temple's overall design. The repetition of "appearance" (H4758, marʼeh) underscores that different parts or aspects of the temple—likely referring to the squared posts and the sanctuary's face, or perhaps corresponding elements throughout the grand design—were perfectly matched in their visual form and shape. This speaks to a balanced, flawless aesthetic, indicative of a divine architect who values absolute perfection, consistency, and a unified beauty in His sacred domain, ensuring every element contributes to a singular, perfect whole.

Literary Devices

Ezekiel 41:21 primarily employs Precision and Detail as a central literary device, a characteristic feature of the entire temple vision. The meticulous enumeration of architectural features, down to the "squared" posts and uniform "appearance," serves to create an incredibly vivid and concrete image in the reader's mind, emphasizing the divine origin and undeniable reality of the vision. The Repetition of the word "appearance" (marʼeh) further amplifies the theme of symmetry, perfect correspondence, and visual harmony, reinforcing the idea of an unblemished and perfectly ordered design. This detailed description also functions as profound Symbolism, where the physical perfection and order of the temple symbolize the spiritual purity, divine order, and restored glory that God intends for His people and His presence. The tangible, precise blueprint becomes a powerful symbol of an ideal, future reality where God's holiness is perfectly manifested.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ezekiel 41:21, with its emphasis on squared posts and uniform appearance, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of ultimate order, precision, and beauty. This divine blueprint for the temple is not merely an architectural plan but a profound theological statement, revealing that God's presence demands and creates perfection, harmony, and intentional design. The meticulously detailed structure serves as a tangible representation of divine holiness and the inherent order of God's kingdom. It suggests that every aspect of His dwelling, and by extension, His people and their worship, should reflect His flawless nature. This vision of an ideal, perfectly ordered sanctuary foreshadows a future where divine order reigns supreme, and God's presence is fully and perfectly manifested among His people, bringing about complete restoration and sanctification.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The divine blueprint for the temple in Ezekiel 41:21, with its emphasis on precision, symmetry, and perfect appearance, offers profound insights for our spiritual lives and the church today. It reminds us that God is a God of order and intentionality, not chaos or sloppiness. Just as His physical dwelling was designed with meticulous care, so too should our spiritual lives and the "house" of God, which is the church, reflect His character. This calls us to cultivate order in our personal walk with God, pursuing spiritual disciplines with intentionality and striving for integrity and consistency in our faith. For the church, it challenges us to ensure that our worship, doctrine, and communal life are built upon the solid, "squared" foundations of biblical truth, exhibiting a harmonious "appearance" that testifies to the unity and beauty of Christ. The pursuit of excellence, precision, and beauty in all things, especially those pertaining to God, becomes a form of worship, mirroring the divine architect's own standard and inviting His glorious presence.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the divine emphasis on precision and order in the temple vision challenge my own approach to spiritual disciplines and personal integrity?
  • In what ways can the church today better reflect the "squared" foundations and harmonious "appearance" of God's design, as depicted in Ezekiel's temple?
  • What aspects of my life or ministry might be lacking divine order, and how can I invite God's blueprint for greater precision and symmetry?

FAQ

Is Ezekiel's temple vision meant to be a literal blueprint for a future temple?

Answer: The interpretation of Ezekiel's temple vision, including Ezekiel 41:21, is complex and debated among scholars. Some interpret it as a literal temple to be built in the future, often in connection with the millennial reign of Christ. Others view it as a symbolic or ideal temple, representing God's perfect dwelling place, the purity of worship, and the restored relationship between God and His people in an eschatological sense. A third view sees it as a blueprint for the second temple built after the exile, though historical evidence suggests the post-exilic temple did not match Ezekiel's dimensions. Given the highly symbolic nature of much of Ezekiel's prophecy and the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence in Christ and the church, many lean towards a symbolic or ideal interpretation, recognizing that its primary purpose was to convey hope, divine order, and the sanctity of God's future dwelling among His people, inspiring faith and repentance in the exilic community.

What is the significance of the temple posts being "squared" and the "appearance" being uniform?

Answer: The description of the temple posts being "squared" (H7251, râbaʻ) signifies structural stability, strength, and geometric perfection. In ancient architecture, squared stones and precise measurements indicated high quality, durability, and a building's ability to withstand the test of time. The uniformity of "appearance" (H4758, marʼeh) underscores symmetry, harmony, and aesthetic perfection. Together, these details emphasize that God's dwelling place is built with absolute precision, order, and consistency, reflecting His character as a God who is not chaotic but perfectly ordered, and whose presence brings about a state of ideal beauty and holiness. It conveys a message of divine meticulousness and the sacredness of the space where His glory would reside, ensuring that every element contributed to a unified and flawless whole, mirroring the divine attributes of perfection and unblemished holiness.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Ezekiel's vision of a perfectly squared and uniformly appearing temple, while architecturally precise, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment not in a physical building, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the spiritual temple of the church. Christ Himself is the ultimate "sanctuary," the very dwelling place of God among humanity, as John 1:14 states that the Word "dwelt among us" (literally, "tabernacled"). He is the true and perfect temple, embodying the divine precision, holiness, and beauty foreshadowed in Ezekiel's blueprint. Jesus boldly declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His body (John 2:19-21). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ established a new and living way to God, making the elaborate rituals and physical structures of the old covenant obsolete, as powerfully highlighted in Hebrews 9. Furthermore, the church, the body of believers, is now built upon Christ as the cornerstone, becoming a "holy temple in the Lord," a "dwelling place for God by the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:19-22). In this spiritual temple, the "squared" foundations are the apostles and prophets with Christ as the chief cornerstone, and its "appearance" is unified by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the perfect order and holiness of God Himself, a spiritual reality far surpassing any physical structure and culminating in the New Jerusalem where God's presence is fully with His people (Revelation 21:3).

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Commentary on Ezekiel 41 verses 12–26

Here is, 1. An account of a building that was before the separate place (that is, before the temple), at the end towards the west (Eze 41:12), which is here measured, and compared (Eze 41:13) with the measure of the house, and appears to be of equal dimensions with it. This stood in a court by itself, which is measured (Eze 41:15) and its galleries, or chambers belonging to it, its posts and windows, and the ornaments of them, Eze 41:15-17. But what use was to be made of this other building we are not told; perhaps, in this vision, it signified the setting up of a church among the Gentiles not inferior to the Jewish temple, but of quite another nature, and which should soon supersede it. 2. A description of the ornaments of the temple, and the other building. The walls on the inside from top to bottom were adorned with cherubim and palm-trees, placed alternately, as in Solomon's temple, Kg1 6:29. Each cherub is here said to have two faces, the face of a man towards the palm tree on one side and the face of a young lion towards the palm-tree on the other side, Eze 41:19. These seem to represent the angels, who have more than the wisdom of a man and the courage of a lion; and in both they have an eye to the palms of victory and triumph which are set before them, and which they are sure of in all their conflicts with the powers of darkness. And in the assemblies of the saints angels are in a special manner present, Co1 11:10. 3. A description of the posts of the doors both of the temple and of the sanctuary; they were squared (Eze 41:21), not round like pillars; and the appearance of the one was as the appearance of the other. In the tabernacle, and in Solomon's temple, the door of the sanctuary, or most holy, was narrower than that of the temple, but here it was fully as broad; for in gospel-times the way into the holiest of all is made more manifest than it was under the Old Testament (Heb 9:8) and therefore the door is wider. These doors are described, Eze 41:23, Eze 41:24. The temple and the sanctuary had each of them its door, and they were two-leaved, folding doors. 4. We have here the description of the altar of incense, here said to be an altar of wood, Eze 41:22. No mention is made of its being over-laid with gold; but surely it was intended to be so, else it would not bear the fire with which the incense was to be burned, unless we will suppose that it served only to put the censers upon. Or else it intimates that the incense to be offered in the gospel-temple shall be purely spiritual, and the fire spiritual, which will not consume an altar of wood. Therefore this altar is called a table. This is the table that is before the Lord. Here, as before, we find the altar turned into a table; for, the great sacrifice being now offered, that which we have to do is to feast upon the sacrifice at the Lord's table. 5. Here is the adorning of the doors and windows with palm-trees, that they might be of a piece with the walls of the house, Eze 41:25, Eze 41:26. Thus the living temples are adorned, not with gold, or silver, or costly array, but with the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–26. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Versed. 8 seqq.) 'And I saw in the house a height all around, with foundations of reed measuring six cubits, and the width along the outer wall of the side chamber, five cubits. And the inner part of the house and the space between the storehouses, twenty cubits wide all around the house. And there were doors in the side chambers toward the outer court, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south. And the width of the place for worship, five cubits all around.' And the building, which was separate and facing the road towards the sea, was seventy cubits wide. The wall of the building was five cubits wide all around, and its length was ninety cubits. After he reached the Holy of Holies, of which we spoke earlier, that venerable man measured the wall of the Holy of Holies. It had a height of six cubits because of the structure of the world and all visible creation, which was created in six days, and a width of one side of four cubits, not on one side only, but all around. But the width of the house, measured around, was four cubits, to represent the four elements from which all things are composed, especially human bodies. Against these, the holy ones fight and subject themselves to the power of the soul, so that they may deserve to enter the inner regions and know the secrets of the Lord. The sides of the house, which were around it and were separated from the walls of the temple by a space of four cubits, were joined together. So that one side touched another side, and it had a length not of thirty-three cubits, but of sixty-six, that is, sixty-six. In the book of Leviticus, it is said that after one week in the birth of a male child, the mother and the child must wait for thirty-three days in order to undergo purification (Lev. XII). However, if the child is female, the waiting period is doubled to sixty-six days. And because, in order to enter the holy of holies, we need not only the first birth, but also the second, to be born in the flesh and be reborn in the spirit: therefore, the number is not sixty-six, but twice thirty and three, so that both births are owed to God the creator and his mercy, and the two sides of the house that support the structure of the temple are enclosed by a double wall. And what follows according to the Hebrew: 'And there were certain heights that would go out through the wall of the house on the sides all around, to contain, and not touch the wall of the temple,' signifies this: that holy men, amidst the multitude of believers, burst forth through the wall of the temple, through all the sides all around, and uphold the foundations of the Church, and yet do not touch the wall of the temple: content with having seen only, and from afar, worship the indescribable mysteries. 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. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13) But through the circular and spiral ascent we reach the upper room of the temple, which, among all shapes, is also approved by philosophers of this age as the most beautiful: for both the sky, the sun, the moon, and the other stars, and the earth, in human bodies as well, the eyes are like other stars, and the shape of the head, which is the receptacle of all the senses, and the rounded fingers, and women, and arms, exhibit this roundness. Moreover, I think that the upper room of the temple, which we ascend from the lower to the higher, is the same one that Elijah and Elisha had, as mentioned in the book of Kings, and also Tabitha had it in the Acts of the Apostles, which means 'the gazelle' in Greek, and our damsel who had reached the highest through good works (3 Kings 17; 4 Kings 4; Acts 9; Acts 10). But the Apostle Peter, on whom the Lord established the foundations of the Church, surpasses the upper room and comes to the roof, which is more significantly called 'dorma' in Greek, that is, the solarium of the roof, and he came to know the mysteries of the Church, previously unknown to the world. The Savior also made the Pasch in the upper room, and in a large and wide upper room, and after all impurity had been cleansed and the bed prepared, and the spiritual feast prepared, where he delivered the mystery of his body and blood to his disciples, and left to us the eternal celebration of the immaculate Lamb. And he added: And from the middle to the saddest, that is, the third upper room and Thrael, it seems to me that it should be marked with a note. For why do we need to discuss doubtful and unwritten things when we should devote ourselves to the books held by the Hebrews? It follows: 'And I saw in the house a height encompassed by sides, measured by a reed, a space of six cubits; and a width by the outer wall of the side of five cubits; and between the treasuries' (which Symmachus calls 'exedrae') 'a width of twenty cubits around the house.' By these measurements it is shown that we are deserving of ascending not only into the Holy of Holies, but also into their upper room, and that we should always remember that through the six days of our earthly condition, and through the five senses, and through the twenty cubits of width, we ascend to the upper room of the temple, leaving behind earthly humility and the sense of the letter, and we pass over to the summit of the Church, and rejoice in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.' And the entrance, he says, of the side toward the north (Jer. 1:14), from which evil spreads over all the earth, and which the Lord promises to drive away from us, saying: 'And I will drive away from you him who is from the north' (Joel 2:20). And it is a beautiful place for prayer at the entrance opposite the north, so that, according to the Apostle, we may pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5), and say with Jeremiah: 'Let not the apple of my eye be silent' (Lam. 2:18), whether we desire to avoid present evils or give thanks for the past. For as long as we are in the tent of this body, we groan and say: Wretched me, who will set me free from this body of death? (Rom. VII, 24). But there was also a door to the South, which had a place of prayer nearby according to the Hebrew custom, and it extended five cubits around. For after the cold of the North, we pass through the heat of the South, and yet we still seek a place for prayer, in the door of the North, in order to escape dangers; in the South, to give thanks for the past and to have a secure possession of victory. But five cubits, and in this place they indicate divine senses, through which we ascend from earthly things to higher things. And the building, he says, which was separated and turned toward the road facing the sea, was seventy cubits wide: so that after labors and dangers, and the waves and shipwrecks of this world, and seventy years, of which Jeremiah, Daniel, and Zechariah write (Jer. 25 and 29; Dan. 9, Zech. 9); but also the legitimate sabbath of seven decades we may attain: so that we may have eternal rest, and through the width of five cubits we may come to a length of ninety cubits: in which age Sarah gave birth to a son according to the promise, who, at the age of ninety, that is, at the end of nine decades, was born to Abraham, who was one hundred years old (Gen. 21), that is, having the mystery of ten decades. The following Scripture will show what the number signifies.

(Verses 13 and following) And the house was measured in length a hundred cubits. And the separate building, and its walls, were also a hundred cubits in length. The width before the face of the house, and that which was separate against the East, was a hundred cubits. And the length of the building over against the face thereof, which was separated at the back, was also a hundred cubits. And there were chambers exceeding in height on either side a hundred cubits; and the inner temple, and the porches of the court. Doorways and slanted windows were set outward, in a perimeter on three sides against the threshold of each, and a wooden floor went all the way around. And the earth was up to the windows: and the windows were closed. Above the doors, and up to the inner house; and on the outside, through every wall on the inside; and on the outside, to the measurement. And cherubs and palm trees were carved: and a palm tree was between cherub and cherub: and each cherub had two faces: the face of a man next to the palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion next to the palm tree on the other side; carved throughout the whole house on the inside. From the ground up to the upper gates, there were carved cherubim and palm trees on the wall of the temple. The threshold was square. The sanctuary faced the shape of the wooden altar, its height being three cubits. Its length was two cubits. Its corners, length, and walls were all made of wood. Seventy: It measured against the length of the house, one hundred cubits. And the remaining and separating walls, in the length of one hundred cubits. And the width against the face of the temple, and the remaining opposite one hundred cubits. And he measured the length of the separating wall facing the back of the house, and the remaining width of one hundred cubits. And the temple and the corners, and the outer Aelam covered with wood, and three windows made like a net, for light to shine through, that one could look through them. And the house and the adjacent structures, all covered with wood around. And the floor, and from the floor to the windows. And the windows were opened threefold, so that one could look through them: both into the inner and outer house, and through every wall around inside and outside the measurement, and carved cherubim, and palm trees between cherub and cherub. Two faces of cherub: the face of a man towards the palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion towards the palm tree on the other side: the entire wall was carved all around from the floor to the rafters with cherubim and carved palm trees. And the sanctuary and the temple were opened on four corners towards the face of the saints: a vision as if the appearance of a wooden altar: its height being three cubits, and its length two cubits: and its width two cubits: and it had horns, and its bases and walls were wooden.» The word 'contra', which the LXX translated at the beginning of the testimony, where it is written: 'And he measured against the house', is not found in Hebrew, and therefore it must be marked with an obelus, in order for it to be correct and true, and he measured the house with a length of one hundred cubits, and so on. The Holy of Holies and the inner sanctuary are described, which is said to have a perfect number of ten decades, after ninety cubits, with three sides having one hundred cubits each: so that we may serve the Lord with our mind, speech, and deeds, remembering that Apostolic example in which it is said: 'That we may know the breadth, and length, and depth, and height' (Ephesians 3:18). But what is said in Hebrew, the separate structure and its walls, the Septuagint translates as separating and not clinging to the walls of the temple, but having their own nearby walls. The temple itself, as well as its corners and the porch or entrance hall (propylon), were covered with wood, a symbol of wisdom, as the Scripture records the tree of life being located in paradise (Gen. II). The windows were made in the form of a net, similar to lattice screens, so that they were not covered with stone or glass, but with wooden lattices woven with twists and turns. In Hebrew, they have diagonal windows, which were only present in three parts of the temple: on the right, on the left, and at the back, that is, to the South, North, and West. The eastern part, however, did not have windows because the entrance itself let in bright light from within, and all the interior of the temple was filled with the light of the doors, so that someone could look inside through each window and opening. And not only were the exterior areas covered with wood, but there was such an abundance of wood all around that the floor and everything up to the windows were connected with wood. The windows were opened in three ways according to the Seventy, so that when they were opened, a triple understanding of God's temple would be revealed, according to what is said elsewhere: 'But you, write down these things in three ways' (Prov. 22:20). And through them, both the interior and the exterior are seen: so that we may know the invisible things that are within, and the visible things that are without; so that one thing may show the mind, another the flesh, another the spiritual understanding, and another the simple historical account; and through all the surrounding walls, internally and externally, their measurements were consistent. For nothing is done in the temple of God without reason and measure, especially in the holy of holies made by God. The Cherubim were also carved, no doubt in wood, extending from the floor to the windows, and the carvings were so finely made that they appeared not sculpted, but applied. Cherubim are interpreted as a multitude of knowledge. Therefore, within the innermost part of the temple, after the multitude of knowledge, there are carvings and palm trees, in which the sign of victory is, as the Apostle says: But I press on to the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God, in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Which palms were between the Cherub and the Cherub, so that one Cherub was surrounded on both sides by two palms: which Cherub did not, as we read at the beginning of this prophet, have four faces, namely, of a man, a lion, a calf, and an eagle; but only two, that is, of a man and a lion, of which the first pertains to reason, and the second to fury, which is more significantly called θυμὸς in Greek. By fury, however, we mean not that which is close to disturbance and vice, but that which consolidates the softness of the mind and makes the soul of the combatant stronger. For in the beginning, we are subject to concupiscence, which pertains to the earthly works; and some are carnal, others are spiritual, of which the ultimate is attributed to eagles. But when we enter the innermost sanctuary, and possess the inner parts of the temple, we have no need for anything else except reason and strength, of which one pertains to perception and prudence, the other to the perseverance of the soul. Therefore, every wall around the temple, from the floor to the ceiling, had Cherubim and palms skillfully carved: after which the sanctuary and the temple were opened from the four corners opposite the faces of the holy ones. First, we have a multitude of knowledge, through which we achieve victory over the enemy, and then a sanctuary and temple are opened to us, which has four angles, and a very strong position, and which is inclined in no direction. For it has the nature of a square measure, so that it may stand on a stable base, and it possesses, in a mystical number that is clear to the wise reader, four elements from which all things consist, solid and everlasting. And they looked at everything opposite the face of the sanctuary: before which was the sanctuary, or in which was the image of the wooden altar three cubits high, and two cubits long, and two cubits wide, which together make seven cubits. This altar had horns; and both its bases and its walls, that is, its sides, were made of wood, in which the holy Scriptures mysteries, human speech cannot explain: how the altar, in which the fire was to be kindled, namely the incense offering, should suffer nothing from the fire, but, so to speak, becomes more pure through the fire. For just as the works of the saints, of which the Apostle writes, 'The work of each will be made manifest; for the Day will disclose it' (1 Corinthians 3:13), do not perish, but are made even more pure through fire, so too the wood of the altar, which is from the trees of paradise, is not consumed by nearby fire, but is made even more pure. It is not surprising to believe this about the sanctuary and the inner parts of the temple and the altar of incense, since even linen, which is a type of flax, or something with a similar appearance to linen, is found to be cleaner the more it is burned. Forgive, reader, the difficulty, and grant pardon to the impoverished understanding. For through slanted and net-like windows, which are always closed, we can barely allow our eye to enter into the inner chamber of our heart, so that all that we see, we see in shadow and in image, and with the Apostle, we cry out: O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways (Rom. XI, 13)! And: Who has known the mind of God (Isaiah XL, 13), except the one who is the angel of great counsel, and who has the power to reveal worthy mysteries? And in Rome, they call the projections on the walls of dining rooms 'solaria,' or 'Meniana' from the one who first invented them, which some Greeks call 'exōstras.'
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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