Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 40:16
And [there were] narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the porches: and windows [were] round about inward: and upon [each] post [were] palm trees.
16. The description of the gateway building concludes with a ref. to the way in which it was lighted.
narrow windows ] Heb. closed, i.e. fastened, not capable of being opened like ordinary windows (2Ki 13:17). Windows were usually openings with lattice-work. Here they may have been loop-holed, widening out toward the inside. For little chambers, guardrooms.
to their posts ] i.e. those of the guardrooms. The ref. is to the 5 cubit thick wall fronts between the guardrooms. Cf. Eze 40:10.
to the arches ] Probably: and to the porch there of, i.e. of the gate. There are three words in this chapter which need to be distinguished: (1) “post” (ail), the meaning of which is certain from Eze 40:9. It means the front face (thickness) of a wall that projects forward ( Eze 40:9), especially the jamb (on each side) of an entrance, e.g. Eze 40:48, of the entrance to the porch of the house, and Eze 41:3 of the entrance to the house itself, cf. 1Ki 6:31. It seems also certainly used of the front (thickness) of any wall that springs forward, the side of which bounds a space, and so of the fronts of the walls which bounded the guardrooms (previous note and Eze 40:10). (2) The second is “porch” (ulam), the meaning of which is also clear. It refers to the large apartment which lay at the inner end of the outer gate ( Eze 40:8-9), and at the outer end of the inner gate, and also to the apartment which formed the outmost of the three divisions of the house ( Eze 40:48). (3) The third word is that rendered “arch” (ailam), R.V. marg., colonnade. The term occurs only in this chapter. The punctuators always make it plur., though the text appears to make it sing.: except Eze 40:16; Eze 40:30 (fem. plur.; in Eze 41:15 mas. pl. of ulam). These plurals are of doubtful authenticity. In regard to the word it appears, (1) that it is clearly distinguished from “post” (ail), Eze 40:21; Eze 40:24; Eze 40:29; Eze 40:33; Eze 40:36. (7) The LXX. does not know the pronunciation ulam, uniformly transliterating ailam. (3) Even Heb. uses ailam in the sense of ulam (porch), e.g. certainly Eze 40:31; Eze 40:34; Eze 40:37 (and probably Eze 40:23; Eze 40:26), where it is said that the “porch” (ailam) was towards the outer court There is no evidence that the word has any other sense than “porch.” The pronunciation ailam (lam) is Assyr. also, the word meaning “anything in front” (Frd. Del., Baer Ezek.).
and windows ] Probably: and the windows.
each post were palm trees ] The “post” here is that of Eze 40:9, viz. the wall front or jamb on each side of the egress from the porch into the outer court, Fig. 1, no. This alone was decorated with palm trees.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Narrow windows: these lights were made through the thickness of the wall of the chambers, and the wall was sloped for that purpose, both within toward the chamber, and without toward the cloister, this outward sloping gathering the light from without, and the inward sloping did disperse it over all the chamber; so they were windows narrowed inward, to the middle.
The little chambers; the three on each side of the porch.
To their posts; the upper lintel of each door, over which was a window to let in light from that side.
To the arches; windows under the arches between post and post, to give light to the five cubits space between chamber and chamber.
Windows were round about inward: these were on both sides of the porch within the gate exactly unlike.
Palm trees, i.e. engraven with curious art for beauty, and whose upper branches spreading themselves along under the arches seemed to bear up the arches.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. narrowlatticed[HENDERSON]. The ancientshad no glass, so they had them latticed, narrow in the interior ofthe walls, and widening at the exterior. “Made fast,” or”firmly fixed in the chambers” [MAURER].
archesrather,”porches.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there were narrow windows to the little chamber,…. 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 comments on Eze 40:7], so these windows design the word and ordinances therein administered, which are the means of letting light into them; see So 2:9, 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 desirable or delightful: through these ordinances Christ the sun of righteousness shines in upon his people; he looks in at these windows, and shows himself through these lattices; he is seen through the glass of the Gospel; he is held forth in the ordinance of the supper; and by means thereof the souls of God’s people are enlightened, comforted, and warmed: also in this way are communicated the illuminations of the Spirit, both at first conversion, and in after discoveries of the things freely given of God; of the doctrines of the Gospel; of the blessings of grace, and of the glories of heaven. The Gospel itself is a great and glorious light; and the ministers of it are the light of the world, and of the churches; and by the light being diffused through these little chambers, the churches, those who are in them see to walk on in Christ, as they have received him, and becoming his Gospel, and their profession of it; and also see to work, not for life, justification, and salvation, but to evidence their faith, and adorn their profession; to glorify God by their shining lights, and to cause others to glorify him; and by the whole, the light of joy, peace, and comfort, is transmitted to all the inhabitants of Zion. These windows are said to be “narrow”, or “shut”, or “closed” c; that is, comparatively, not absolutely, for then they would be of no use. The ordinances of the Gospel dispensation are no doubt clearer, and the light of it larger, than of the legal dispensation, but this light has been darkened by the Papacy; and though it increased at the Reformation, yet before the latter day glory will break forth it will be as a twilight, neither clear nor dark, day nor night, Zec 14:6 and though the light that then will break out will be exceeding great, as the light of the sun, and that as the light of seven days, Isa 30:26, yet in comparison of the light of the New Jerusalem state, when there will be no need of the sun or moon, but the Lord will be the everlasting light of his people; and in comparison of the ultimate glory, when the saints shall see face to face; the light even of this dispensation will be like what is let in at narrow windows; see Re 21:23.
And to their posts within the gate round about; that is, to the posts of the doors that led into these chambers, over the lintel of them, were windows to let in light to those that were entering them, as well as were in them; and so there were to all the chambers round about the porch on one side and the other, between the two gates:
and likewise to the arches; or “porches” d; to these doors, to which there were windows giving light to those that passed through:
and the windows were round about inward; in all the chambers within the grand porch, on the north and south:
and upon each post were palm trees; that is, on every post, column, or pillar, belonging to the chambers; and very probably on all the other before mentioned, Eze 40:9, these posts or pillars signify either the ministers of the Gospel; so called for their strength, being mighty in the Scriptures, able ministers of the New Testament, capable of retaining and defending the truths of the Gospel, and of bearing reproach and persecution for them, and also the infirmities of weak believers; and for their stability, being steadfast and immovable in the work and cause of Christ, and not to be taken off from it either by the frowns or flatteries of men; and for their usefulness, in supporting the cause and interest of the Redeemer, and the minds of weak Christians, as well as the glorious truths of the Gospel; and may with great propriety be called the pillar and ground of truth; see Pr 9:1, yea, all true believers, and proper members of the churches of Christ, are pillars there, and such as shall never go out, Re 3:12, the word e used has the signification of strength, as pillars should be strong; and such believers are, not in themselves, but in Christ, in his power and grace, and through his Spirit; whereby they can do all things, perform all duties, exercise all grace, and engage with all enemies. They are like pillars that stand firm and stable; grounded in the love of God; secured in election grace; settled in the everlasting covenant; laid on the sure foundation Christ, and established in the truths of the Gospel; so that they never go out of the heart of God, the hands of Christ, the family of the saints, or church of God. They are as pillars; some more useful to support in an external way the interest of religion, giving liberally to the maintenance of ministers, the relief of the poor, and the defraying of all necessary charges; and others to strive and contend for, and so maintain and preserve, the truths and ordinances of the Gospel; and others to comfort and confirm weak believers. Now on these posts or pillars were “palm trees” painted, two on each, one on one side, and one on the other, as appears from Eze 40:26, which are also an emblem of true believers in Christ; see Ps 92:12 comparable to them for their uprightness, Jer 10:5 these looking upwards to Christ by faith, and moving heavenwards in their affections and desires, and being upright in heart and life; and for their bearing pressures, and growing the more under them, as the palm tree does. Saints have many weights on them, a body of sin and death, reproaches, afflictions, and persecution; but they bear up under all, and are not left to desert the cause, they are engaged in; yea, grow the more hereby, in numbers and grace, like the children of Israel, Ex 1:12 the force of the palm tree is in its top or head; if that is taken away it dies: Christ is the believers’ head, from him they have their life, grace, strength, nourishment, and fruitfulness; could they be separated from him, all would be gone. The palm tree grows best in sunny places, is fruitful, an ever green, and lasts long: and such are the people of God; they grow most under the warm beams of divine love, and rays of the sun of righteousness; in the churches of Christ, where the Gospel is preached, and ordinances administered, which make their hearts burn within them; they are fruitful in grace and good works, retain their leaf of profession, and never perish. Once more, the palm tree is a token of joy and victory, and has been used on such occasions, Le 23:40, and may denote the victory and joy upon it, which saints have through Christ, over sin, Satan, the world, and death.
c “clausae”, Montanus, Vatablus, Junius Tremellius, Piscator. d “in vestibulis”, Vatablus, Montanus, Piscator “porticibus”, Cocceius, Starckius. e “fortitudo, hinc” “fortis”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16. Narrow windows R.V., “closed windows.”
Arches R.V., margin, “colonnade.” Toy translates, “The guardrooms and their pilasters had latticed windows within the gateway round about, and so the vestibule had windows round about within; and beside its jambs stood palm trees.” The palm tree was one of the most common symbolic forms to be seen on the Assyrian sculptures, signifying fruitfulness and fullness of life. Often in ancient architecture pillars are shaped to represent palm trees, or are crowned with palm-tree ornamentation. (Compare 1Ki 6:29-35.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“And there were narrowing windows in the side rooms, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the colonnade. And windows were round about inward. And on each post were palm trees.’
Windows of the kind described (compare 1Ki 6:4) were scattered all round the gateway, providing light and air, (the meaning of the word translated ‘colonnade’ is a technical architectural term and is uncertain), and palm trees were engraved on the posts. This latter was a common decoration in Solomon’s temple symbolising creation (1Ki 6:29-35). Palm trees were also symbols of beauty and fruitfulness (see Lev 23:40 ; 1Ki 6:29; 1Ki 6:32; 1Ki 6:35 ; 1Ki 7:36; 2Ch 3:5; Son 7:7; Psa 92:12-14; Neh 8:15; Zec 14:16-21). The detail of the whole would confirm to any sceptics that Ezekiel was actually describing something that he had seen, and that what he claimed to have seen had thus at least some degree of reality and was not just an illusion.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 40:16 And [there were] narrow windows to the little chambers, 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.
Ver. 16. Narrow windows, ] i.e., Narrowed, the better to let in light, and so shadowing out that spiritual illumination and joy wrought in the hearts of the children of light. See Isa 42:7 ; Isa 49:6 ; Isa 60:19-20 Mic 7:8 2Jn 1:32Jn 1:32Jn 1:32Jn 1:3 :19 ; Joh 8:12 ; Joh 9:5 ; Joh 12:35-36 ; Joh 12:46 .
Were palm trees.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
narrow = latticed. Compare Eze 41:16, Eze 41:26, 1Ki 6:4.
arches = projections, or porches.
inward: or, within.
upon = against.
palm trees. Artificial. Compare Eze 41:18.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
narrow: Heb. closed, Eze 41:16, 1Ki 6:4, 1Co 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: 1Ki 6:29, 1Ki 6:32, 1Ki 6:35, 2Ch 3:5, Psa 92:12, Rev 7:9
Reciprocal: 1Ki 7:4 – windows Jer 35:2 – into one Eze 40:26 – palm trees Eze 40:29 – and there Eze 41:18 – palm trees Eze 41:26 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 40:16. Narrow means somewhat closed in the way of a lattice, and a window was a place that was perforated. This may be understood by remembering that glass and other transparent substances for admission of light had not been devised in those times. It is reasonable to suppose that the kind of windows just described would not admit the amount of light that could be done with transparent glass. That is why they had to have them round about. The palm trees were some kind of ornaments either carved or painted upon the posts.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
There were shuttered windows or alcoves in the exterior walls of the guardrooms and vestibule, perhaps creating cupboards for storing the utensils. [Note: Block, The Book . . . 48, p. 523.] Representations of palm trees decorated the doorframes, one on each side of each door (Eze 40:26). Palm trees were symbols of beauty, fruitfulness, salvation, glory, and the millennial age (cf. Lev 23:40; 1Ki 6:29; 1Ki 6:32; 1Ki 6:35; 1Ki 7:36; 2Ch 3:5; Son 7:7; Psa 92:12-14; Neh 8:15; Zec 14:16-21).
"The entire gate system resembled the multiple entry gates archaeologists discovered from the Solomonic period. There were several guard rooms (cf. 1 Kings 24 [sic 14]:28; 2Ch 12:11), or alcoves, on either side of the inner part of the Solomonic gate." [Note: Alexander, "Ezekiel," p. 956.]