Ezekiel 40:16 kjv
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.
Ezekiel 40:16 nkjv
There were beveled window frames in the gate chambers and in their intervening archways on the inside of the gateway all around, and likewise in the vestibules. There were windows all around on the inside. And on each gatepost were palm trees.
Ezekiel 40:16 niv
The alcoves and the projecting walls inside the gateway were surmounted by narrow parapet openings all around, as was the portico; the openings all around faced inward. The faces of the projecting walls were decorated with palm trees.
Ezekiel 40:16 esv
And the gateway had windows all around, narrowing inwards toward the side rooms and toward their jambs, and likewise the vestibule had windows all around inside, and on the jambs were palm trees.
Ezekiel 40:16 nlt
There were recessed windows that narrowed inward through the walls of the guard alcoves and their dividing walls. There were also windows in the entry room. The surfaces of the dividing walls were decorated with carved palm trees.
Ezekiel 40 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 40:24 | Then he brought me to the north gate, and behold, a measure of one reed this way, and a measure of one reed that way toward the north. | Specific measurement of architectural elements |
| Ezekiel 40:33 | The lower court had chambers and the paved part of the pavement, and at the side of the gate, going inward, were chambers, and at the vestibule inward was a chamber. | Description of chambers in the outer court |
| Ezekiel 40:44 | Within it were the chambers for the singers in the inner court, which were at the side of the north gate, facing toward the north, and at the side of the east gate, facing toward the south. | Location of singers' chambers |
| Ezekiel 40:45 | Then he said to me, "These chambers that face southward are for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the temple. | Designation of chambers for priests |
| Ezekiel 42:10 | these are for the outer chambers and for the storehouse. | Purpose of some chambers |
| Exodus 26:33 | And hang the veil from the clasps, and put in beyond the veil the ark of the testimony, and the veil shall separate for you between the holy place and the most holy place. | Parallel structure of separations |
| 1 Kings 6:5 | He also built chambers all around the house, on the walls of the temple, around both the temple and the inner sanctuary. | Chambers around Solomon's temple |
| 1 Chronicles 28:11-12 | Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple, its buildings, its treasuries, its upper rooms, its inner rooms, and the room for the mercy seat. | David giving Solomon the temple plan |
| Jeremiah 35:2 | Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak to them, and bring them to one of the chambers of the house of the LORD, and give them wine to drink. | Chambers used for specific purposes |
| Nehemiah 10:38 | And the priests the sons of Levi shall come up to the house of God to the chambers of the house of God. | Levitical access to temple chambers |
| Isaiah 14:32 | What shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and in it the afflicted of His people shall find refuge. | Zion as a place of refuge |
| Psalm 122:1 | A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” | Joy in going to the house of the Lord |
| John 14:2 | "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" | Christ's Father's house with many rooms |
| Hebrews 8:2 | He is the minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not man. | Christ ministering in the true tabernacle |
| Revelation 3:12 | The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he go out of it. | Overcomers as pillars in God's temple |
| Revelation 7:15 | Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. | Serving God day and night in His temple |
| Revelation 11:1 | Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. Stepping out, the angel stood and said, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there.” | Measuring the temple by God's command |
| Ezekiel 40:3 | And when the man looked, behold, there was a wall all around on the outside of the temple, and in the man's hand a measuring rod of a reed. | The measuring rod of a reed |
| Ezekiel 40:5 | Behold, there was a wall all around the outside of the temple building. The length of the measuring reed was six cubits, each of a cubit and a handbreadth. | Specification of the measuring reed |
| 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. | Believers as God's temple |
Ezekiel 40 verses
Ezekiel 40 16 Meaning
The verse describes a structure with chambers facing outwards, measured to be one reed in length and one reed in width. This detail emphasizes the precise and ordered nature of the new temple, a recurring theme in Ezekiel's vision.
Ezekiel 40 16 Context
Ezekiel chapter 40 describes the visionary tour of a new temple, given to the prophet by an angelic guide. This vision takes place after the destruction of Jerusalem and the first Temple, offering a message of future restoration and divine presence. The focus is on the meticulous dimensions and structure of this new sanctuary, highlighting God's order and holiness. Chapter 40 specifically details the outer courts, gates, and structures associated with them, setting the stage for the detailed measurements of the inner sanctuary in subsequent chapters. The verse in question is part of the description of the gate structures, emphasizing their consistent dimensions.
Ezekiel 40 16 Word Analysis
- וְ`l' (vel) - "And" or "And behold" (conjunction).
- חַדְרֵי (chadrei) - "chambers" or "rooms." This word implies enclosed spaces.
- הָֽעֶ֫מֶק (ha'emek) - "the deep" or "the valley." In this architectural context, it refers to spaces that are recessed or set back, likely meaning the chambers' fronts were recessed or recessed into the larger structure. The feminine singular noun meaning "valley" or "depth."
- חִצְנָה (chitzonah) - "outwardly," "externally," or "on the outside." indicating their orientation.
- קִּ֧ים (qim) - "standing" or "established." It emphasizes that these chambers were part of the stable, fixed structure.
- וְ“”`t (veto) - "and a." The preposition "vav" followed by "yod" in a less common form suggesting emphasis or a more specific description. This could be a grammatical scribal error or variant reading, where "vav" indicates "and" and "yod" might suggest "one" implicitly or stand for a grammatical element not easily rendered directly.
- קָמֹת (qamoth) - "height" or "length." From the root qum, to stand. When used with measurements, it refers to vertical or horizontal extent. Here it likely signifies the dimension in length.
- אַמָּה (ammah) - "cubit." A unit of measurement, typically about 18 inches (45 cm).
- וְ“”`t (veto) - "and a."
- אַמָּ֫ה (ammah) - "cubit."
- רוּחַ (ruach) - "spirit," "breath," or "width." Here, in combination with the preceding unit, it signifies the width.
- אַמָּה (ammah) - "cubit."
- לְ“”`t (leto) - "for." Or perhaps "reed" indicated by context, but
lis the prefix for "to" or "for" andrwith vowels typically follows. This appears to be a typo or a fragment of the original Hebrew. Assuming "reed" from the structure, the Hebrew for reed is "qaneh" (קָנֶה). If it's read as a fragment intending "reed," it is "kaneh." Given the pattern of measurement by reeds in Ezekiel 40, "one reed" for length and "one reed" for width is consistent. The fragment “leto” does not correspond to a standard Hebrew word here; it's highly likely a transcriptional error or a missing part of the verse’s original wording if this were a direct linguistic analysis of an actual text. However, based on the context of similar verses in Ezekiel 40, this slot would be filled by the measurement "one reed." - קָנֶה (qaneh) - "reed." The standard Hebrew word for reed, used as a measuring unit, equal to six cubits. This establishes the uniform size of the chambers.
Words Group by Words Group Analysis:
- "chambers facing outwardly" (חַדְרֵי הָֽעֶ֫מֶק חִצְנָה - chadrei ha'emek chitzonah): This phrase describes the chambers' position. They are recessed from the main structure ("emek" - deep/valley) and situated on the exterior ("chitzonah" - outwardly). This indicates they are attached to, but distinct from, the primary building, creating an architectural recess or bay.
- "one reed the length and one reed the width" (אַמָּה קָמֹת אַמָּה וְ“”
t רוּחַ אַמָּה לְ“”t קָנֶה - ammah qamoth ammah veto ruach ammah leto qaneh): This establishes a consistent, square proportion for these chambers (assuming "qamoth" refers to length and "ruach" refers to width, which is common in architectural descriptions). The unit of measurement, the reed (קָנֶה - qaneh), is significant as it's a larger, more formal measure used throughout the temple descriptions, ensuring a sense of grandeur and divine proportion.
Ezekiel 40 16 Bonus Section
The consistent use of the reed as a measuring rod throughout Ezekiel's temple vision (Ezekiel 40-48) is highly symbolic. The reed represents divine order and precise judgment, and its application here signifies that God’s future dwelling place will be built according to His perfect design. Scholars often note that the reed (approximately 12 feet or 3.7 meters) emphasizes the substantial nature and well-defined proportions of the sacred structure, a stark contrast to the perceived disorders of the nation’s past. The chambers facing outwardly, recessed, might also allude to different functions and layers of holiness within the temple complex.
Ezekiel 40 16 Commentary
The chambers are measured with uniformity—one reed in length and one reed in width. This consistent measurement of one reed signifies divine order and perfection. The use of the "reed" as a measuring unit throughout the vision in Ezekiel 40 underscores the exactness and sacred nature of this new temple. The chambers are described as "deep" (or recessed) and "outwardly" facing, suggesting they are alcoves or distinct rooms positioned along the exterior walls of the gate structures, likely for administrative, storage, or specific priestly functions, consistent with temple precincts in ancient Israel. The precision in dimensions emphasizes the sanctity of the place, reflecting God’s holy presence and detailed plan.