Ezekiel 41:20 kjv
From the ground unto above the door were cherubims and palm trees made, and on the wall of the temple.
Ezekiel 41:20 nkjv
From the floor to the space above the door, and on the wall of the sanctuary, cherubim and palm trees were carved.
Ezekiel 41:20 niv
From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the main hall.
Ezekiel 41:20 esv
From the floor to above the door, cherubim and palm trees were carved; similarly the wall of the nave.
Ezekiel 41:20 nlt
from the floor to the top of the walls, including the outer wall of the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 41 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 41:18 | ...carved cherubim and palm trees on the walls of the temple. | Temple imagery |
| Genesis 3:24 | So he drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim... | Cherubim guarding Eden |
| Exodus 25:18-20 | And you shall make two cherubim of gold. Made of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread up their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. | Cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant |
| 1 Kings 6:29 | And on all the walls of the temple all around he carved ... figures of cherubim and palm trees and opening flowers, inside and outside. | Solomon's Temple carvings |
| Psalm 92:12 | The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. | Palm tree as symbol of righteousness |
| Revelation 7:9 | After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation... | Palm branches symbolizing victory |
| Revelation 22:2 | ...on either side of the river, the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and on the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations. | Tree of life, continuous fruitfulness |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Christ as the dwelling place |
| Hebrews 10:19-20 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he has opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh... | Jesus as the new and living way |
| Revelation 21:3 | And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man." | God dwelling with humanity |
| Revelation 21:22 | And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. | The Lord Himself as the Temple |
| Psalm 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. | Symbol of righteous life |
| Romans 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | Spiritual victory through Christ |
| 2 Corinthians 3:18 | And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. | Transformation into Christ's image |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruit of the Spirit |
| Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Strength through Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 15:57 | But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Victory through Christ |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... | God dwelling among people |
| Matthew 16:18 | ...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. | The church built on Christ |
| Isaiah 11:1 | There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse... | Messiah from Jesse |
Ezekiel 41 verses
Ezekiel 41 20 Meaning
This verse describes a symbolic vision of the Temple. It states that the cherubim and palm trees are carved into the wall. The cherubim represent divine presence and God's heavenly messengers. The palm trees symbolize victory, righteousness, and fruitfulness. Their placement signifies that the Lord's presence in the Temple and the blessings associated with His rule are eternal and unyielding.
Ezekiel 41 20 Context
Ezekiel 41 describes the dimensions and features of a visionary future Temple. Following earlier chapters that detail judgment and restoration, this section presents a restored Temple, symbolizing God’s presence with His people in a future redeemed era. Chapter 41 specifically details the chambers and ornamentation of this new sanctuary, emphasizing its sanctity and completeness. Verse 20 contributes to this detailed architectural vision, focusing on decorative elements that carry significant symbolic meaning. The overall context is one of hope and a reaffirmation of God’s covenant relationship with Israel, envisioning a future where God's presence is central. This vision contrasts with the destruction of the first two Temples, offering a picture of ultimate divine dwelling and perfection.
Ezekiel 41 20 Word Analysis
- And (וְ - wə): A conjunctive particle, connecting this verse to the preceding descriptions.
- upon (עַל - ʿal): Preposition indicating position or placement.
- all (כָּל - kōl): Denoting completeness or entirety.
- the wall (הַקִּיר - haqqîr): Refers to the inner walls of the Temple building.
- within (פְּנִימָה - pənîmāh): Indicating the interior side or space.
- without (חֻצָה - ḥuṣâ): Denoting the exterior side or space.
- both (גַּם - gam): Reinforces the inclusivity of the carving.
- likeness (תַּבְנִית - tavnît): A pattern, form, or likeness, referring to the design.
- of (word - implied connection): Grammatical connector.
- cherub (כְּרוּב - kərûḇ): A supernatural being, often depicted as a winged creature associated with God's throne and presence. Plural is cherubim (כְּרוּבִים - kərûḇîm).
- and (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
- palm tree (תָּמָר - tāmār): A tree symbolizing uprightness, victory, and fruitfulness.
- every (אֶחָד - ʼeḥāḏ): Meaning "one" or "each," emphasizing the pervasive nature of the carving.
- two (שְׁנַיִם - šənayim): Two, indicating the pair of images on each section.
- walls (קִיר - qîr): Referring again to the inner walls.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Cherubim and palm trees": This pairing is significant. Cherubim represent the divine realm and God's active presence, while palm trees represent the redeemed people and their state of blessing and victory. Their presence together signifies that God's presence is inherently tied to His redeemed, victorious people.
- "upon all the wall within... without": This indicates that the decorative carvings were not confined to one side or surface but were universally applied to the interior walls of the Temple, emphasizing the thoroughness and beauty of God's dwelling place.
Ezekiel 41 20 Bonus Section
The pairing of cherubim and palm trees is a recurring motif in Ezekiel’s visionary Temple (Ezekiel 41:18, 41:25). This imagery contrasts with the pagan temple decorations that often featured sensuous or demonic figures. The biblical depiction emphasizes divine order, holiness, and fruitfulness. The meticulous detailing in chapter 41 serves not just as architectural description but as a theological statement about the perfect and enduring presence of God. The thoroughness of the carvings – "within and without" – speaks to the all-encompassing nature of God's perfection and the complete renovation of His dwelling place, reflecting the complete salvation promised to His people. This vision can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Testament understanding of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit, indwelt by God through Christ.
Ezekiel 41 20 Commentary
This verse highlights the artistic and symbolic embellishment of the future Temple. The cherubim, as divine guardians and symbols of God's glory, were central in earlier sanctuaries. Their continued presence signifies the enduring reality of God's active presence and authority. The palm tree, a common motif in ancient Near Eastern art, carried specific meaning in Israelite tradition, symbolizing righteousness and victory. Its placement alongside the cherubim suggests the blessings of righteousness and triumph that accompany God's presence. The carving appearing on both the inner and outer surfaces of the walls underscores the comprehensive nature of God's holiness and presence permeating the entire sanctuary. This vision of the Temple’s rich symbolism offers a profound statement about the ultimate restoration of God's dwelling among His people, marked by His unfailing presence and the people’s state of righteousness and victory.