Ezekiel 41 16

Ezekiel 41:16 kjv

The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows were covered;

Ezekiel 41:16 nkjv

their doorposts and the beveled window frames. And the galleries all around their three stories opposite the threshold were paneled with wood from the ground to the windows?the windows were covered?

Ezekiel 41:16 niv

as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows and galleries around the three of them?everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered.

Ezekiel 41:16 esv

the thresholds and the narrow windows and the galleries all around the three of them, opposite the threshold, were paneled with wood all around, from the floor up to the windows (now the windows were covered),

Ezekiel 41:16 nlt

were all paneled with wood, as were the frames of the recessed windows. The inner walls of the Temple were paneled with wood above and below the windows.

Ezekiel 41 verses

Ezekiel 41 16 meaning

Ezekiel 41:16 meticulously describes the interior finishing of the visionary temple, detailing that the thresholds, specialized window openings, and the encircling galleries across all three levels were uniformly covered with wooden paneling. This paneling extended from the floor upwards to the windows, and the wood itself was adorned with intricate carvings. The verse highlights a pervasive and highly decorated construction, emphasizing the beauty, holiness, and structural integrity of God’s dwelling.

Ezekiel 41 16 Context

Ezekiel 41:16 is situated within Ezekiel's elaborate vision of a new temple, chapters 40-48. This vision, received in the twenty-fifth year of his exile (573 BC), occurs long after the destruction of Solomon's Temple and while the people of Israel are in Babylon. The detailed description in chapter 41 focuses specifically on the interior measurements, structure, and materials of the temple's sanctuary and the surrounding side chambers. The preceding verses (41:1-15) give the dimensions of the nave (Holy Place), the Holy of Holies, and the extensive side chambers that enveloped the main structure. This verse builds upon that, moving from structural dimensions to internal finishing. The entire vision serves as a beacon of hope and a blueprint for Israel's spiritual restoration, prophesying a time when God’s glory would return to a meticulously designed and pure dwelling place among His people. It implicitly counters the memory of pagan temples known to the exiles, asserting the singular grandeur and purity of YHWH's house.

Ezekiel 41 16 Word analysis

• The thresholds (הַסִּפִּים, ha-sippim): The entryways or door sills. In biblical architecture, thresholds held significant importance, marking the boundary between sacred and profane spaces, and regulating access. They are key transition points.
• And the window openings (וְהָאֶטֻּמִים, ve-ha-eṭṭu̇mim): This term, related to "closed" or "covered," suggests the windows were not for outward viewing but for regulated light, design, or ventilation, possibly narrow or recessed, fostering an internal, sacred focus. Contrast with general "windows" elsewhere, this implies a specific architectural style for the temple.
• And the galleries (וְהַיְצִיעִים, ve-ha-yᵉtzī‘im): These likely refer to projecting ledges, balconies, or passages, especially connected to the multi-story side chambers described earlier. They served functional purposes, such as access or storage, reinforcing the complexity of the temple structure.
• All around (סָבִיב סָבִיב, sāḇîḇ sāḇîḇ): The repetition of "all around" (doubled in Hebrew) intensely emphasizes thoroughness and universality. Every specified area was encompassed by the description, leaving no part unfinished.
• On their three levels (לִשְׁלָשְׁתָּם, li-shlosh'tam): Directly refers to the three stories of the side chambers detailed in Ez 41:6. This specifies the vertical extent of the mentioned architectural features and their paneling.
• Opposite the threshold (נֶגֶד הַסִּף, neḡeḏ ha-siph): Indicates a specific spatial relationship or alignment of these features in relation to the main entry threshold, maintaining architectural precision and order.
• Were paneled with wood (צִפּוּי עֵץ, tẓīpûy ‘ētz): Signifies an overlay or covering of wood. This contrasts with rough-hewn stone, indicating a finished, refined, and often decorative interior. Wood, especially cedar, was a valuable and dignified building material for sacred spaces (e.g., Solomon's temple), symbolizing permanence and natural beauty dedicated to God.
• All around (סָבִיב סָבִיב, sāḇîḇ sāḇîḇ): Another instance of the repeated phrase, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the wood paneling throughout these specified areas.
• From the floor up to the windows (מֵהָאָרֶץ עַד הַחַלֹּונוֹת, me-hā'āretz ‘aḏ ha-ḥallonot): Precisely defines the vertical scope of the wood paneling. It implies complete wall covering from bottom to top, except for the window areas themselves.
• The window now being covered (וְהַחַלֹּונוֹת כָּנוּי, ve-ha-ḥallonot kānûy): This parenthetical clarification, similar to eṭṭumîm earlier, confirms the unique design of these windows – possibly obscured, latticed, or in a way that diffused light, contributing to the solemn atmosphere of the sanctuary. It also might describe the paneling surrounding the windows.
• And the wood was carved (וּמַעֲשֵׂה הַזִּקִּים, ū-ma‘ăśēh ha-ziqqīm): The phrase ma‘ăśēh ha-ziqqīm refers to intricate, detailed work. While "ziqqim" can mean "sparks" or "fetters" in other contexts, here, in the architectural context, it points to ornate, artistic, and decorative carvings or intricate patterns etched into the wood paneling, similar to the cherubim and palm tree carvings in Solomon's Temple. It signifies beauty and skilled craftsmanship.

Words-group Analysis

• "The thresholds and the window openings and the galleries all around": This grouping lists key architectural features, spanning both horizontal transitions (thresholds) and vertical/peripheral structures (windows, galleries), setting the stage for the universal application of the paneling.
• "On their three levels": Specifies the multi-story application, demonstrating the vertical dimension and comprehensive scope of the building's intricate design.
• "Were paneled with wood all around": The central action. "Paneled with wood" points to high-quality interior finishing, while "all around" emphasizes the extent, leaving no surface untouched. This is not just structural; it's decorative and sanctifying.
• "From the floor up to the windows (the window now being covered)": This phrase meticulously defines the vertical boundaries of the paneling, confirming a thorough, wall-to-ceiling (excluding actual window opening) coverage, with a special note on the nature of the window itself – adding a layer of architectural specificity and potentially symbolic control over light or visibility.
• "And the wood was carved": This final detail elevates the wood paneling from merely being a covering to being an artistic and reverential expression. The presence of carving indicates exquisite craftsmanship and a dedication of beauty to God’s dwelling, reflecting His own intricate and beautiful creation.

Ezekiel 41 16 Bonus section

The "covered" or "sealed" nature of the windows, mentioned twice in this verse (eṭṭu̇mim and kānûy), presents an intriguing detail. It suggests either windows designed for diffusing rather than direct light, creating a particular ambiance within the temple, or windows that provided little to no outward view. This could symbolize the inner-focused nature of true worship, directing attention towards God's presence within, or maintaining the sanctity and mystery of the divine space from the external world. Typologically, this attention to exquisite detail in material and design can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Covenant's "spiritual house" (1 Pet 2:5), the Church, where believers are living stones built into a dwelling place for God. The intricate carvings also parallel the "manifold wisdom of God" (Eph 3:10) expressed through the church. The cedar, or a similar high-quality wood, is also an indirect connection to the imagery of "trees of life" (Rev 22:2) or the paradisical elements associated with God's ultimate dwelling in the New Heavens and New Earth, combining natural glory with divine purpose.

Ezekiel 41 16 Commentary

Ezekiel 41:16 paints a vivid picture of exquisite internal detailing within the visionary temple, emphasizing that the most significant architectural features – thresholds, distinct window structures, and surrounding galleries across multiple levels – were meticulously finished with wood paneling. The repeated phrase "all around" underscores the thorough and encompassing nature of this decorative work, extending from the floor to the base of the special windows. Crucially, the verse notes the wood was not just a covering but was "carved," signifying an elaborate, artistic ornamentation. This detailed account reflects divine instruction for sacred architecture, highlighting the beauty, preciousness, and reverence inherent in God’s dwelling place. The emphasis on detailed, beautiful finishes points to the unparalleled glory and holiness of the anticipated temple, representing an ideal structure that surpasses human ingenuity and points towards the meticulous care of God for His habitation among His people.