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Ezekiel 40:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 40:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And there were closed windows to the lodges, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches; and windows were round about inward; and upon [each] post were palm-trees.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And there were closed windows to the lodges, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches; and windows were round about inward; and upon [each] post were palm-trees.
Ezekiel 40:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 40

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And he measured the gate from the roof of the one lodge to the roof of the other, a breadth of five and twenty cubits; door against door.
14He made also posts, threescore cubits; and the court [reached] unto the posts, round about the gate.
15And [from] the forefront of the gate at the entrance unto the forefront of the inner porch of the gate were fifty cubits.
16And there were closed windows to the lodges, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches; and windows were round about inward; and upon [each] post were palm-trees.
17Then brought he me into the outer court; and, lo, there were chambers and a pavement, made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.
18And the pavement was by the side of the gates, answerable unto the length of the gates, even the lower pavement.
19Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, a hundred cubits, [both] on the east and on the north.
← Ezekiel 40:15Ezekiel 40:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And there were narrow windows to the little chamber, &c.] The walls being sloped both within and without, that the light let in might be spread the more: as those “little chambers” signify the several congregated churches of Christ in the Gospel dispensation; (see Gill on “<264007>Ezekiel 40:7”), so these windows design the word and ordinances therein administered, which are the means of letting light into them; (see <220209>Song of Solomon 2:9 <234412>Isaiah 44:12 60:8), in attending on these, the light of God’s countenance is enjoyed, which lies in the discoveries of his love; in the manifestations of himself; in his gracious presence, and in communion with him; than which nothing is more…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“narrow--latticed [HENDERSON]. The ancients had no glass, so they had them latticed, narrow in the interior of the walls, and widening at the exterior. "Made fast," or "firmly fixed in the chambers" [MAURER]. arches--rather, "porches."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The east gate-building. See Plan III. Ezekiel 40:6 Stairs - Seven in number Ezekiel 40:22. Each threshold of the gate (was) one reed broad (or 9 ft.). The measurements are being taken from East to west, i. e., in depth. Ezekiel 40:7 Every little chamber - The guard-chambers (a) for the use of the Levites who kept watch in the temple. The threshold of the gate by the porch - The second threshold in the easternmost gate-way (c). Porch - Hebrew אולם 'ûlâm; the Septuagint: αἰλάμ ailam; Vulgate: vestibulum. The word probably means porch or portico, connected with “ail” post or pillar. Ezekiel 40:9 The porch is now measured from north to south in “wide.” “The breadth of the entry of the gate”…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Narrow windows - Windows narrowed inward to the middle. Their posts - The upper lintel of each door over which was a window. To the arches - Windows under the arches between post and post, to give light to the five cubits space between chamber and chamber. Round about - These were on both sides of the porch within the gate, exactly alike. Ezekiel 40:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“40:16 The carved palm trees recall the rich fertility of the Garden of Eden (see also 1 Kgs 6:29).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“narrow: Heb. closed, Eze 41:16; Kg1 6:4; Co1 13:12 the little: Eze 40:7, Eze 40:12 arches: or, galleries, or porches, Eze 40:21, Eze 40:22, Eze 40:25, Eze 40:30, Eze 41:15, Eze 42:3; Joh 5:2 inward: or, within palm trees: Kg1 6:29, Kg1 6:32, Kg1 6:35; Ch2 3:5; Psa 92:12; Rev 7:9 Ezekiel 40:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification