Ezekiel 41 6

Ezekiel 41:6 kjv

And the side chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in order; and they entered into the wall which was of the house for the side chambers round about, that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the wall of the house.

Ezekiel 41:6 nkjv

The side chambers were in three stories, one above the other, thirty chambers in each story; they rested on ledges which were for the side chambers all around, that they might be supported, but not fastened to the wall of the temple.

Ezekiel 41:6 niv

The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty on each level. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports were not inserted into the wall of the temple.

Ezekiel 41:6 esv

And the side chambers were in three stories, one over another, thirty in each story. There were offsets all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side chambers, so that they should not be supported by the wall of the temple.

Ezekiel 41:6 nlt

These side rooms were built in three levels, one above the other, with thirty rooms on each level. The supports for these side rooms rested on exterior ledges on the Temple wall; they did not extend into the wall.

Ezekiel 41 verses

Ezekiel 41 6 meaning

Ezekiel 41:6 describes the design of the side chambers attached to the visionary temple. It specifies three stories of these chambers, built one above another. The verse states there were thirty such chambers (commonly understood as thirty per story across three sides of the sanctuary). Crucially, it explains how these chambers were meant to derive support from the main temple wall without actually having their structural beams embedded directly into the sacred wall of the house. This design emphasized the inviolable holiness and structural integrity of the main sanctuary.

Ezekiel 41 6 Context

Ezekiel 41:6 is part of the extensive temple vision received by the prophet Ezekiel, documented in chapters 40-48. This vision occurred in 573 BC, the 25th year of his exile in Babylon, fourteen years after the destruction of Jerusalem and its First Temple by the Babylonians. At a time of deep despair for the exiled Israelites, Ezekiel's vision offers a meticulous and glorious blueprint of a new, perfect temple.

Chapter 41 specifically describes the structure and dimensions of the main sanctuary building (the House) within this vision. It covers the nave, the Holy of Holies, and the side chambers that surrounded the outer walls of the temple building. These details underscore the immense holiness and the divine order governing this future dwelling place of God. The entire vision served to offer hope of God's restored presence and future blessings to His people, while also implicitly criticizing the defilement of the previous temple. The precision in this verse, particularly about how the side chambers are supported, emphasizes a new level of sanctity and inviolability for the main structure, representing God's uncompromised presence.

Ezekiel 41 6 Word analysis

• And the side chambers: (וְצֶלָעוֹת, v'tsela'ot) - The Hebrew tsela' (צֶלָע) literally means "rib," "side," or "board." In architectural contexts, it refers to side chambers or annexes. These were functional rooms attached to the main temple building, likely for storage of sacred vessels, priestly vestments, or for the use of the priests themselves. Their existence implies a supporting role to the primary worship activities of the main house.
• were three: (שָׁלֹשׁ, shalosh) - Denotes a specific quantity: three.
• one over another: (עַל שָׁלֹשׁ, al shalosh) - Literally "upon three" or "on three." This clearly indicates a stacked, multi-story arrangement, specifying three stories in height. This multiplies the available space and reflects intricate architectural planning.
• and thirty in number: (וּשְׁלֹשִׁים, u'shloshim) - This refers to the total number of chambers per story. Given the main temple structure, these side chambers would wrap around three sides (North, South, West). Thus, thirty is often understood as ten chambers on each of the three sides for each story, summing to ninety chambers over three stories (30 x 3). This abundance signifies the capacity and functionality of the visionary temple. The Hebrew actually includes "קֶשֶׁת" (qeshet, arched beam, or tier) after shalosh, meaning "three [stories], a tier [of] and thirty," potentially reinforcing the idea of a tier of thirty chambers on each level.
• and they entered into the wall which was for the house: (וְתָבֹאוֹן בַּקִּיר אֲשֶׁר לַבַּיִת, v'tavo'on baqqir asher la'bayit) - "They entered into the wall that belonged to the house." This describes the relationship of the side chambers' structure to the main temple wall. It signifies that the outer wall of the main sanctuary was to provide structural support for these adjoining chambers.
• for the side chambers round about: (לַצְּלָעוֹת סָבִיב, la'tsela'ot saviv) - Emphasizes that these side chambers surrounded the house, indicating a continuous architectural feature encircling the main building on multiple sides, increasing its overall bulk and appearance.
• that they might have hold: (לִהְיוֹת אֲחֻזָה, lihiyot akhuzah) - The Hebrew akhuzah (אֲחֻזָה) means "a holding," "support," "firm grasp," or "anchorage." This phrase expresses the purpose for the side chambers interacting with the main wall – to gain stability and support.
• but they had not hold in the wall of the house: (וְאֵין אֲחֻזָה בְּקִיר הַבָּיִת, v'ein akhuzah b'qir ha'bayit) - This is the most crucial clause. It explicitly negates the conventional method of achieving support. While the chambers were to be supported by the main temple wall, their beams were not to be inserted into the wall directly. This indicates an indirect or external method of support, later revealed (Ezek 41:7) as stepped ledges or rebates in the temple wall. This prevents weakening or defiling the sacred main structure and underscores its distinct holiness and integrity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "side chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in number": This precise numerical and spatial description communicates a structured, organized, and expansive ancillary system for the temple. It portrays a design that maximized functionality around the core sanctuary. The emphasis on layers and quantity speaks to God's lavish provision and meticulous planning for a future, ideal dwelling place, far grander than what existed before or was anticipated by the exiles.
• "entered into the wall which was for the house... that they might have hold, but they had not hold in the wall of the house": This key paradox reveals a profound theological principle. While the side chambers needed and received support from the main temple, they could not violate its fundamental integrity by penetrating its holy walls. This meticulous architectural instruction differentiates the sacred core from its functional appendages. It visually illustrates the absolute sanctity of God's presence, which provides sustenance and purpose for all connected to it, yet remains wholly separate and uncompromised by any human addition or dependency. The divine presence itself is the foundation, and it doesn't need to be intruded upon or manipulated for human benefit or stability; rather, it grants stability.

Ezekiel 41 6 Bonus section

• The concept of supporting beams resting on "rebates" or "offsets" in the temple wall, rather than penetrating it, shows an innovative and advanced architectural solution. This method, described implicitly here and in more detail in Ezek 41:7 and 1 Kgs 6:6, represents a deep understanding of structural engineering combined with an unparalleled reverence for sacred space.
• This specific detail offers a symbolic contrast to ancient pagan temples, where it was common for various cultic structures, even sometimes less sacred ones, to be built as integral parts, directly inserted into the main structure, blurring sacred boundaries. Ezekiel's temple rigidly maintains such distinctions.
• The side chambers are sometimes interpreted as symbolizing the earthly church or the people of God, who are connected to and supported by Christ (the true Temple) but do not contribute to His essential deity or holiness. He upholds them; they do not structurally support Him.
• The emphasis on "three" stories and "thirty" chambers also speaks to order, completion, and perhaps even divine numbers (three often signifying trinity, divine completeness, thirty for an age of readiness for ministry or priestly service in other contexts). The specific enumeration underscores the divine authority and precision behind the entire vision.

Ezekiel 41 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 41:6 offers a profound architectural detail about the visionary temple: its three-story side chambers, numerous in total, were to derive support from the main sanctuary wall without their beams being embedded within it. This seemingly minor construction note carries significant theological weight. It safeguards the uncompromised holiness of the hekal (temple proper), the central dwelling place of God's manifest presence. The physical separation reflects a spiritual truth: God's holiness is self-sufficient and does not rely on human integration or intrusion for its stability or integrity. Rather, it provides the necessary foundation and stability for all other structures and activities connected to it. This design prevents the defilement or weakening of the most sacred space, signifying that while human activity and service are necessary and attached to God's purposes (the side chambers), they must respect the absolute distinction and purity of God Himself. It models a reverence for the divine that never seeks to contain, control, or intrude upon His inherent holiness, but rather to align with and be upheld by it.