King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 41:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 41:16 in the King James Version says “The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cie...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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; cieled: Heb. cieling of wood and from: or, and the ground unto the windows”

Ezekiel 41:16 · KJV

Context

14

Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred cubits.

15

And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which was behind it, and the galleries thereof on the one side and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner temple, and the porches of the court; galleries: or, several walks, or, walks with pillars

16

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; cieled: Heb. cieling of wood and from: or, and the ground unto the windows

17

To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure. measure: Heb. measures

18

And it was made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces;

Read Ezekiel 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories—the architectural elements combine function and beauty. The challonot atumot (חַלּוֹנוֹת אֲטֻמוֹת, narrow/recessed windows) provided light while maintaining privacy and security, allowing illumination without exposure to profane gaze.

Cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows—the Hebrew sechuphe etz (שְׂחֻפֵה עֵץ, paneled with wood) recalls Solomon's temple's cedar and cypress paneling (1 Kings 6:15). Such costly adornment demonstrates that God deserves humanity's finest craftsmanship and materials. The church, as God's temple, should likewise pursue excellence in worship while remembering that true beauty is spiritual holiness (1 Peter 3:3-4).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient temple architecture used narrow windows for security and climate control. Wood paneling in arid regions was extremely expensive, imported from Lebanon. The vision's lavish detail emphasizes God's worthiness of supreme honor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance external excellence in worship with internal spiritual authenticity?
  2. What does the costly adornment of God's dwelling place teach about giving Him your best rather than your leftovers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הַסַּ֛ף1 of 17

“The door posts”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

וְהַֽחַלֹּנ֖וֹת2 of 17

“and the windows”

H2474

a window (as perforated)

הָ֠אֲטֻמוֹת3 of 17

“and the narrow”

H331

to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs)

וְהָאַתִּיקִ֤ים׀4 of 17

“and the galleries”

H862

a ledge or offset in a building

סָבִ֑יב5 of 17

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

לִשְׁלָשְׁתָּ֔ם6 of 17

“on their three stories”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

נֶ֧גֶד7 of 17

“over against”

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

הַסַּ֛ף8 of 17

“The door posts”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

שְׂחִ֥יף9 of 17

“cieled”

H7824

a board (as chipped thin)

עֵ֖ץ10 of 17

“with wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

סָבִ֑יב11 of 17

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

סָבִ֑יב12 of 17

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְהָאָ֙רֶץ֙13 of 17

“and from the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עַד14 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

וְהַֽחַלֹּנ֖וֹת15 of 17

“and the windows”

H2474

a window (as perforated)

וְהַֽחַלֹּנ֖וֹת16 of 17

“and the windows”

H2474

a window (as perforated)

מְכֻסּֽוֹת׃17 of 17

“were covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 41:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 41:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 6:41 Kings 6:15Ezekiel 40:16Ezekiel 40:25Ezekiel 41:25-262 Chronicles 3:5

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