Ezekiel 40 37

Ezekiel 40:37 kjv

And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:37 nkjv

Its gateposts faced the outer court, palm trees were on its gateposts on this side and on that side, and going up to it were eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:37 niv

Its portico faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.

Ezekiel 40:37 esv

Its vestibule faced the outer court, and it had palm trees on its jambs, on either side, and its stairway had eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:37 nlt

Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard, and it had palm tree decorations on the columns. There were eight steps leading to its entrance.

Ezekiel 40 verses

Ezekiel 40 37 meaning

Ezekiel 40:37 continues the detailed architectural description of the visionary temple, focusing specifically on the structural and decorative elements of one of its gates. It highlights the uniform presence of chambers, jambs, porticoes, and palm tree motifs, emphasizing symmetry ("each"). The verse also specifies that this gate was accessed by "seven steps" leading up to it, indicating an ascent and separation, and notes that its porticoes faced inward towards the temple courtyard, establishing its orientation within the complex. This meticulous detail underscores the divine precision and the sacred nature of the envisioned edifice.

Ezekiel 40 37 Context

Ezekiel 40:37 is situated at the beginning of Ezekiel's profound vision, occurring in the twenty-fifth year of the Babylonian exile. The prophet is transported by God to a very high mountain in the land of Israel, where he witnesses a vast and meticulously detailed temple complex. Chapter 40 itself is a minute, technical description of the outer wall, the outer gates (east, north, south), and the outer court of this new temple.

Immediately preceding verse 37, Ezekiel's divine guide (an angel-like figure with a measuring rod) has just finished describing the inner structures of the North Gate of the outer court (Ezek 40:35-36). Verse 37, therefore, likely concludes the description for that specific north gate or provides a general summation of elements applicable to all outer gates due to the overarching theme of symmetry ("each" in the verse). The preceding verses already detailed chambers, jambs, and porticoes. The mention of "seven steps" and "porticoes inward" confirms architectural specifics shared across the outer gates, highlighting the organized, symmetrical, and ordered nature of God's future dwelling place, in stark contrast to the destruction and disarray experienced during the exile.

Historically, this vision came at a time when the first temple (Solomon's) had been destroyed, and the people of Israel were in despair, away from their land and their sacred dwelling. The elaborate architectural detail in Ezekiel's vision served as a message of hope, reassurance, and a concrete promise of God's future restoration, indicating that His presence would once again dwell among His people in a sanctuary far surpassing the former in glory and regulated holiness.

Ezekiel 40 37 Word analysis

• its chambers (לִשְׁכֹתָיו, lish'khtav): These refer to the guardrooms or lodge rooms situated within the gate structure. In the temple context, these rooms often served as storage for sacred items, meeting places for priests, or stations for guards ensuring proper access and order. Their inclusion signifies organized service and security.
• and its jambs (וְאֵילָיו, v'eilav): These are the prominent side-posts or doorposts of the gateway. Architecturally, they are structural supports. Symbolically, they frame the entrance, emphasizing the defined boundary and entrance into a sacred space, a consistent motif throughout biblical temple and tabernacle descriptions.
• and its porticoes (וְאֵילַמָּיו, v'eilamav): These are vestibules or porches, roofed spaces open at the front, offering a transition area. In sacred architecture, porticoes provide a ceremonial entry, a place of gathering or pause before full entry into the court or building. They add to the grandiosity and sacred function of the gate.
• and its palm trees (וְתִמְרֹתָיו, v'timrotav): These refer to decorative carvings or motifs of palm trees. Palm trees are symbols of triumph, fruitfulness, life, and uprightness in the ancient Near East and biblical literature. Their presence on the gates beautifies and signifies God's blessing and the vitality of His presence in the temple. This motif also appeared in Solomon's Temple (1 Kgs 6:29, 32, 35).
• each (אִישׁ, ish): While often meaning "man," here ish serves as a distributive particle, signifying "each one" or "each of them." Its use emphasizes the uniform presence and symmetrical distribution of the aforementioned features (chambers, jambs, porticoes, palm trees) on various parts of the gate, underscoring the perfect order and precise divine design.
• and this gate had seven steps going up to it:
  • seven steps (שֶׁבַע מַעֲלוֹת, sheva ma'alot): The number seven holds immense biblical significance, representing completeness, perfection, and holiness (e.g., creation week, Sabbath, many ritual laws). Here, "seven steps" denote a deliberate, ascending passage. This ascent implies elevation, sacred separation, and a necessary process of approach, signifying increased holiness as one nears the temple courts. It suggests a removal from the common ground, symbolizing purification or consecration for entry into the holy precinct.
  • going up to it (לוֹ, lo - lit. "to it"): Reinforces the notion of elevation and physical ascent required to enter the gate, stressing the separation of the sacred space from the secular.
• and its porticoes were on the inside (וְאֵילַמָּיו לִפְנִימָה, v'eilamav lifnimah):
  • its porticoes: The vestibules mentioned again.
  • on the inside: (lit. "inward") This specifies the orientation of the gate's porticoes. Instead of facing outward (towards the outer wall), they face inward towards the outer court. This inward orientation emphasizes that the gate's function is primarily to funnel and direct worshippers into the temple complex, providing a buffer and formal entry into the sacred space. It speaks to the inner-directed focus of temple worship and access.

Ezekiel 40 37 Bonus section

The meticulous detail of Ezekiel's temple vision, as seen in verse 37, also serves as a strong contrast to the first temple which was profaned and destroyed. It's a "blueprint for holiness" – not necessarily for a literal future structure but as an ideal for what a fully consecrated people and place look like under God's governance. The emphasis on structure and order reflects God's own character and His desire for order in worship and life, which was absent during the time of Israel's apostasy that led to their exile. The very precision serves as a pedagogical tool for the exiles, showing them God's perfect plan and what a fully restored and righteous Israel might embody.

Ezekiel 40 37 Commentary

Ezekiel 40:37 provides critical, specific details about the temple gates within the larger visionary structure. These precise measurements and architectural specifications are not merely aesthetic; they are imbued with theological significance. The symmetrical inclusion of chambers, jambs, porticoes, and palm tree motifs points to a divinely ordained order, beauty, and purpose for every element of God's dwelling. The repetition implied by "each" for these features emphasizes uniformity and the consistent holy standard throughout the sanctuary.

The detail of "seven steps going up to it" is particularly profound. The ascent on seven steps marks a departure from common ground to sacred ground. This is an intentional climb, symbolically mirroring the spiritual elevation and preparation required to enter God's presence. The number seven universally signals completion and holiness, reinforcing that the temple complex is a realm of divine perfection and sanctity, accessible only through a measured, reverent approach.

Furthermore, the orientation of the porticoes "on the inside" is crucial. It directs attention inward to the sacred courts, emphasizing that the primary flow and focus are towards the core of the sanctuary where God's presence would dwell. This careful directioning signifies a purposeful, ordered, and contained worship experience, protecting the sanctity of the interior from the commonness of the exterior. This gate, like others in the vision, represents the gateway to divine order, spiritual ascent, and the carefully controlled access to God's presence, serving as a promise of future, holy fellowship for the exiles.