Ezekiel 40:17 kjv
Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.
Ezekiel 40:17 nkjv
Then he brought me into the outer court; and there were chambers and a pavement made all around the court; thirty chambers faced the pavement.
Ezekiel 40:17 niv
Then he brought me into the outer court. There I saw some rooms and a pavement that had been constructed all around the court; there were thirty rooms along the pavement.
Ezekiel 40:17 esv
Then he brought me into the outer court. And behold, there were chambers and a pavement, all around the court. Thirty chambers faced the pavement.
Ezekiel 40:17 nlt
Then the man brought me through the gateway into the outer courtyard of the Temple. A stone pavement ran along the walls of the courtyard, and thirty rooms were built against the walls, opening onto the pavement.
Ezekiel 40 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 40:21 | "Then I measured it: fifty cubits was the length, and forty cubits was the width." | Details dimensions of gateway |
| Ezekiel 40:22 | "As for the windows and the palm trees and the cherubim, each cubit was matched." | Describes adornments of gateway |
| Ezekiel 40:23 | "And there was a gate to the inner court facing north, and another to the east." | Mentions other gates |
| Ezekiel 40:24 | "Then he led me toward the south, and there was a gate facing south. And he led me to the south gate, and measured its structure." | Mentions southern gate |
| Ezekiel 40:25 | "And there were vent openings and palm trees on its sides, toward the north and toward the south, like the structure of the first gate; it had a seating area on each side." | Details of southern gate structure |
| Ezekiel 40:26 | "And there were vent openings and palm trees on its sides, toward the east, like the structure of the gate facing north, and it had a seating area, but with seven steps going up, and palms at the base of each." | Details of eastern gate structure |
| Ezekiel 1:4-14 | Describes the appearance of the four living creatures (cherubim) and their mobility. | Detailed cherubim description |
| Ezekiel 1:6-11 | "Each had four faces and each had four wings." | Describes cherubim's faces |
| Ezekiel 10:14 | "And each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle." | Identifies faces of cherubim |
| Revelation 4:6-8 | Describes four living creatures around the throne, each with different faces. | New Testament parallel |
| 1 Kings 6:23-35 | Describes cherubim in Solomon's Temple, adorned with gold and carved. | OT Temple parallels |
| Exodus 25:18-22 | Instructions for the Ark of the Covenant with cherubim on its mercy seat. | Cherubim significance |
| Psalm 99:1 | "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!" | Cherubim's throne |
| Isaiah 6:2-3 | Seraphim flying around the throne, crying "Holy, holy, holy." | Heavenly worship |
| Ezekiel 43:1-5 | Glory of the Lord entering the temple from the east, its presence filling the house. | Lord's presence |
| Genesis 3:24 | Cherubim guarding the Tree of Life after the Fall. | Cherubim function |
| Hebrews 9:5 | Mentions cherubim over the Ark in the Holy of Holies. | Cherubim in earthly sanctuary |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." | Incarnation connects to dwelling |
| Ezekiel 1:15-21 | Describes the wheels accompanying the cherubim, full of eyes, and their movement. | Cherubim's divine mobility |
| Ezekiel 2:1 | "And he said to me, 'Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.'" | Prophet's commission |
Ezekiel 40 verses
Ezekiel 40 17 Meaning
The verse describes the appearance of the cherubim on the "northeast side" and the "north side" of the inner temple gate. It notes that a cherub on the north side had "a face toward the north." This detail specifies the orientation of one of the celestial beings within the visionary temple.
Ezekiel 40 17 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's elaborate vision of a new temple and city, detailed from chapter 40 to 48. The vision serves as a divine blueprint, likely revealed to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile to offer hope and a renewed covenant vision to the disheartened people. Chapter 40 specifically focuses on the outer measurements and the structure of the temple complex, detailing gates, courts, and rooms. The cherubim are described as recurring decorative and symbolic elements throughout the temple, indicating divine presence and majesty. This particular verse specifies the placement and orientation of cherubim within a gate structure leading to the inner court.
Ezekiel 40 17 Word Analysis
וְאֶת־ (ve'et): "and" - A conjunction connecting this verse to the previous descriptions.
הַכְּרוּבִ֗ים (hakkeruvim): "the cherubim" - The plural form of "cherub." Cherubim are angelic beings frequently associated with God's presence, protection, and throne in biblical literature. They are depicted with multiple faces and wings, signifying divine attributes and activity.
מִזְּרַ֠ע (mizraʿ): "from the opening" or "from the entrance" - Suggests placement near or within the gateway.
קָדִ֧ים (kadim): "eastward" - Specifies a direction. This might be a contextual detail from the surrounding description of the gates, indicating a particular part of the structure.
וְצָ֧פוֹן (vetsafon): "and north" - Another directional marker.
אֶחָ֜ד (’eḥad): "one" - Refers to a single cherub.
פָּנִ֧ים (panim): "face" - Denotes the frontal aspect or orientation.
לְצָ֘פוֹן (letsafon): "toward the north" - Clearly indicates the direction the face of this particular cherub is oriented. This precise orientation implies a functional or symbolic purpose for the placement.
Words-group analysis:
- "the cherubim from the opening eastward and north": This phrase likely describes the placement and possibly the depiction of cherubim in relation to the gate structure, either on the eastern side or associated with the northern opening.
- "and one cherub [had its] face toward the north": This highlights a specific detail about one of the cherubim, emphasizing its directional orientation within the divine architecture.
Ezekiel 40 17 Bonus Section
The visionary temple described by Ezekiel is rich in symbolism, representing not just a physical structure but also the renewed presence of God among His people. The cherubim, with their multiple faces (man, lion, ox, eagle), universally represent the fullness of intelligence, strength, patience, and swiftness of execution in carrying out God's will. Their position guarding sacred spaces in Ezekiel's vision reinforces their role as sentinels of holiness, preventing unauthorized access. The specific orientation of the cherub's face, as noted in this verse, may further symbolize particular aspects of God's character or His interactions with different aspects of creation or direction, suggesting a constant watchfulness and active presence.
Ezekiel 40 17 Commentary
The precise placement and orientation of the cherubim in Ezekiel's vision are significant. Cherubim are symbolic of God's holiness, presence, and accessibility within His sanctuary. Their presence at gateways signifies the separation between the profane and the sacred, and that access to God's presence is guarded and mediated by these divine beings. The specific detail of a cherub's face pointing northward emphasizes the ordered, deliberate nature of the heavenly dwelling and the ministry of these celestial beings. This vision echoes earlier descriptions of cherubim adorning the Ark of the Covenant and in Solomon's Temple, reinforcing the continuity of divine symbolism regarding God's presence within His dwelling place. The meticulous details underscore the reverence and order required in approaching God.