### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H1146}}` (binyân) is derived from the verbal root `{{H1129}}` (bânâh), which means "to build," "to construct," or "to establish." As a noun, `{{H1146}}` denotes the *result* of this building activity: an "edifice" or a "building." Its core meaning is thus concrete and architectural, referring to a physical structure that has been built or is in the process of being designed as such. The semantic range of `{{H1146}}` is quite narrow, consistently pointing to a constructed entity, whether a complete building or a specific part of a larger complex. It emphasizes the material and structural aspects of construction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H1146}}` are notably concentrated almost exclusively within the book of Ezekiel, particularly in the detailed vision of the new temple (Ezekiel chapters 40-48). This specific usage imbues the word with profound contextual significance.
* In [[Ezekiel 40:2]], the prophet is taken in a vision to a very high mountain "on which was a structure like a city to the south." Here, `{{H1146}}` describes the initial, overarching impression of the vast, divinely ordered complex.
* Throughout chapters 41 and 42, `{{H1146}}` is used repeatedly to refer to specific components and dimensions of the visionary temple. For instance, [[Ezekiel 41:12]] mentions "the building that was in front of the separate area at the side toward the west," and [[Ezekiel 41:15]] refers to "the building that was in front of the separate area at the back."
* In [[Ezekiel 42:1]], [[Ezekiel 42:10]], and [[Ezekiel 42:13]], it designates the "chambers" or the overall "building" associated with the temple's priestly functions.
* [[Ezekiel 42:15]] uses `{{H1146}}` to describe the entire "interior of the temple area" as a measured building.
* The word also appears in [[Ezekiel 43:11]] in reference to the "design of the temple" and in [[Ezekiel 46:24]] for the "kitchens" within the temple complex.
The consistent application of `{{H1146}}` in Ezekiel underscores the meticulous detail and precise measurements of the visionary temple. This is not merely a vague concept but a divinely ordained, tangible structure, emphasizing its reality and importance within God's future plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{H1146}}` is intimately connected to its verbal root `{{H1129}}` (bânâh), which encompasses the act of building, establishing, or restoring. While `{{H1129}}` can be used both literally (e.g., building a house) and figuratively (e.g., building a family or a nation), `{{H1146}}` itself remains firmly rooted in the literal, physical sense of a constructed edifice.
Other related terms include:
* `{{H1004}}` (bayit): "house," "dwelling," or "temple." While bayit is a general term for a structure, binyân specifies that it is a constructed building. The temple is a prominent bayit, and in Ezekiel, it is described as a detailed binyân.
* `{{H1964}}` (heykal): "palace," "temple." This term often refers to a grand, significant structure, aligning with the nature of the temple as a binyân.
* `{{H4720}}` (miqdaš): "sanctuary," "holy place." This term emphasizes the sacred purpose of a building, which is often a binyân in its physical form.
The concept of "building" extends metaphorically in the New Testament (e.g., `{{G3619}}` - oikodomē), referring to the spiritual edification of believers or the church as a spiritual temple. While `{{H1146}}` is strictly physical, its Old Testament context of a divinely designed sanctuary provides a foundational understanding for later spiritual applications of "building."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1146}}` is primarily derived from its specific usage within Ezekiel's temple vision. This precise and detailed description of a "building" points to several profound truths:
1. **Divine Design and Order:** The meticulous measurements and structural descriptions using `{{H1146}}` highlight God's absolute precision, order, and intentionality in His plans. The temple is not an arbitrary structure but a carefully designed binyân, reflecting the holiness and majesty of the God who dwells within it.
2. **The Future Hope of God's Presence:** The visionary temple, described in terms of its binyân, represents God's future dwelling among His people in a restored and sanctified state. It is a tangible promise of God's continued covenant faithfulness and His desire for a pure worship environment.
3. **Holiness and Separation:** The intricate design of the binyân in Ezekiel's vision, with its various courts and chambers, underscores the concept of holiness and the necessary separation between the sacred and the common. Every part of this divine "building" serves a specific, holy purpose.
4. **A Type of Spiritual Reality:** While `{{H1146}}` describes a physical building, the detailed nature of this divine blueprint in Ezekiel can be seen as a type or shadow of the spiritual "building" of God's people in the New Covenant. The church is depicted as a spiritual temple, built on the foundation of Christ (`{{G2061}}` - oikodomeō; `{{G3619}}` - oikodomē), echoing the divine intentionality seen in the Old Testament binyân.
### Summary
`{{H1146}}` (binyân) is a Hebrew noun meaning "edifice" or "building," denoting a physical structure that has been constructed. Its usage is almost exclusively found in the book of Ezekiel, where it is employed with meticulous detail to describe the various components and the overall design of the visionary temple. This precise application of `{{H1146}}` underscores God's meticulous planning and divine blueprint for His dwelling place. Theologically, it signifies the divine order, the future hope of God's presence among His people, and the sacred nature of His sanctuary. While strictly referring to a physical construction, the detailed binyân of Ezekiel's temple serves as a powerful testament to God's intentionality, foreshadowing the spiritual "building" of His people in the New Covenant.
TRV