Ezekiel 41 19

Ezekiel 41:19 kjv

So that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about.

Ezekiel 41:19 nkjv

so that the face of a man was toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion toward a palm tree on the other side; thus it was made throughout the temple all around.

Ezekiel 41:19 niv

the face of a human being toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other. They were carved all around the whole temple.

Ezekiel 41:19 esv

a human face toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around.

Ezekiel 41:19 nlt

One face ? that of a man ? looked toward the palm tree on one side. The other face ? that of a young lion ? looked toward the palm tree on the other side. The figures were carved all along the inside of the Temple,

Ezekiel 41 verses

Ezekiel 41 19 Meaning

The cherubim carved into the walls of the inner house of the temple had two faces: one looking towards the holy of holies and the other towards the outer room, symbolizing a constant gaze upon divine presence and the ongoing ministry of the house. The depiction of these figures, a blend of animal and human, represented divine beings who guarded holy spaces and communicated God's messages.

Ezekiel 41 19 Context

Ezekiel chapter 41 describes the dimensions and features of the future temple, emphasizing its perfection and divine order. This specific verse, Ezekiel 41:19, details the carvings of cherubim on the walls, their orientation, and their dual faces. The chapter is part of Ezekiel's extensive vision of a new temple and a restored Israel, symbolizing God's renewed presence and covenant relationship with His people after their exile. The context highlights the sacredness of the inner sanctuary and the divine nature of its adornment. Historically, cherubim were significant in Israelite worship, appearing on the Ark of the Covenant and in the design of Solomon's Temple, serving as symbols of God's majestic presence and protection.

Ezekiel 41 19 Word Analysis

• וְּ](ve'–): Conjunction, "and." Connects this verse to the preceding descriptions of the temple's inner chambers.
• הַ](ha'-): Definite article, "the." Specifies the cherubim being discussed.
• כְּר[[ker][kruv]]: Noun, masculine plural, "cherubim." These are divine angelic beings often depicted with multiple faces and wings, serving God in heavenly realms and guarding sacred spaces. They are a key feature of God's divine presence and dwelling.
• בְ[](v'): Preposition, "in," "on," "at." Indicates location, on the walls.
• קִיר](kir): Noun, masculine singular, "wall." Refers to the inner wall of the sanctuary.
• פָּ[](pa'): Noun, masculine singular, "face." The visage of the cherubim.
• תּ[[t-]]: Possessive suffix, 3rd person masculine singular, "his." His face.
• אֶחָ]('echa'): Numeral, feminine singular, "one." Referring to one face.
• פְּ[](pe'): Noun, masculine singular, "face." The other face.
• אֶחָ]('echa'): Numeral, feminine singular, "one." Referring to the other face.
• וְּ](ve'–): Conjunction, "and."
• מוּ[](mu'): Preposition, "from," "of."
• פָּ[](pa'): Noun, masculine singular, "face."
• אֶל]('el): Preposition, "to," "towards."
• הַ](ha'-): Definite article, "the."
• הֵיכָ](heychal): Noun, masculine singular, "temple," "inner sanctuary." The most holy place of the sanctuary.
• וְּ](ve'–): Conjunction, "and."
• פְּ[](pe'): Noun, masculine singular, "face."
• אֶל]('el): Preposition, "to," "towards."
• הָ](ha'-): Definite article, "the."
• בָּ[](ba'): Noun, masculine singular, "house," "room," "outer court." Refers to the holy place outside the inner sanctuary.
• יּ](y–): Demonstrative pronoun, "which," "that."
• כִּ[](ki'): Adverb, "as," "like," "when." Introduces the manner of their position.
• חָ](cha'): Noun, masculine singular, "south."
• נּ](n–): Noun, masculine singular, "wind."
• צָּפֹ](tzafon): Noun, masculine singular, "north."
• וּ](u–): Conjunction, "and."
• מִ[](mi'): Preposition, "from."
• הָ](ha'-): Definite article, "the."
• צָּ[](tza'): Noun, masculine singular, "north."
• פָּ[](pa'): Noun, masculine singular, "side," "face."
• פְּ[](pe'): Noun, masculine singular, "face."
• עַ]('a): Preposition, "upon," "on."
• אֶל]('el): Preposition, "to."
• שֶׁ](she–): Relative pronoun, "that," "which."
• לִ[li]: Preposition + Suffix, "for you."

Words-Group Analysis:

• Cherubim: Central to understanding the holiness and guarding of God's presence. Their carved presence in the inner sanctum of the temple emphasizes the divine nature of the place.
• Two faces: One towards the Holy of Holies and one towards the Outer Room. This duality signifies the interconnectedness of God's immediate presence and His outreach to humanity. It suggests vigilance and witness. The eastward orientation of temples in general reflects looking towards the place of God's glory.
• North and South: The mention of faces oriented north and south relates to the structure of the inner chamber itself, which was wider than the Holy of Holies. These orientations likely reflect their positioning relative to the temple's structure and perhaps symbolic meanings associated with directions in biblical theology.

Ezekiel 41 19 Bonus Section

The concept of divine beings with multiple faces or aspects is found in various ancient Near Eastern mythologies, often representing multifaceted divine power. However, in Ezekiel's vision, the cherubim are directly tied to the singular God of Israel and His specific covenantal relationship. The careful detail of their placement and orientation emphasizes that this is not mere decoration but functional symbolism within the divine architecture. This contrasts sharply with pagan temple iconography, where such figures might represent multiple deities or cosmic forces. Ezekiel's cherubim serve as constant, silent witnesses to God's holiness and presence within His appointed dwelling place.

Ezekiel 41 19 Commentary

The cherubim are described with dual faces, a motif common in divine throne room imagery in the ancient Near East, but here specifically serving the unique purpose of the LORD's dwelling. The face turned towards the innermost sanctuary (likely eastward, towards the veil or presence) reflects their guarding function over the Holy of Holies. The other face turned towards the outer room suggests their role in mediating God's presence or holiness to the rest of the temple and to the worshipper. This imagery underscores the exclusivity and holiness of the Holy of Holies, while also indicating that the entire temple complex is consecrated by God's presence and the ministries performed within it. The consistent orientation of these angelic beings, carved in permanence, signifies an unchanging divine presence and active guardianship.