Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 41:19

So that the face of a man [was] toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: [it was] made through all the house round about.

The face of a man, this one face, the other

of a young lion. Now as to the aspect, it was thus; the cherub between two palm trees looked towards both trees, towards the one a mans face, towards the other a young lions face, looked. And thus it was through the whole house round about, and from bottom to top, as Eze 41:20.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

So that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side,…. The cherubim in this verse are the same with the living creatures this prophet saw by the river Chebar, and which he knew to be the cherubim, Eze 10:20 and the same with John’s four beasts or living creatures in Re 4:7 and he being the last that wrote concerning them, gives the clearest account of them; and by which the best judgment may be formed about them; and from which it appears that they are men redeemed by the blood of Christ; and as they are on the one hand distinguished from angels, so on the other from the four and twenty elders, or common Christians, Re 4:8 and plainly design the ministers of the word, and who are everywhere to be understood by them: their having the face of a man shows they are men, and have to do with men, and should be humane, kind, and tender, knowing and understanding as men; [See comments on Eze 1:10], and their face being

towards the palm tree shows that they should be upright and sincere in their doctrine, ministry, and conversation; that they should bear all weights and pressures laid upon them patiently; and rise up heavenwards in their affections and desires, and in their expectation of help and assistance in their work, and triumph in Christ, through whom they are conquerors; the palm tree being an emblem of these things:

and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side; this face of the cherubim denotes the strength of Gospel ministers they have from Christ to do their work, defend the Gospel, withstand gainsayers, and support the weak, and bear with their infirmities; as also their boldness, courage, and intrepidity, in preaching the Gospel of Christ without fear of men; of this their face, and the other two not mentioned here, [See comments on Eze 1:10]:

it was made through all the house round about; that is, the cherubim and palm trees were carved or portrayed in the form and order here described throughout the holy of holies, as Jarchi interprets the house; and signifies that Gospel ministers shall have a place, and peculiar honour done them, in the New Jerusalem state, who will be particularly rewarded then, Re 11:18.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Eze 41:19 So that the face of a man [was] toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: [it was] made through all the house round about.

Ver. 19. So that the face of a man. ] See Eze 1:10 .

And the face of a young lion towards the palm tree. ] The palm tree, as it grew best in Judea, so it is probable that from the temple at Jerusalem it came at first, that the heathens put the palm for a sign of victory, and that the picture of Victory among them had in the one hand a palm, and in the other an olive branch. Wisdom (the praise of a man) and courage (the property of a lion), zeal and discretion, as they make a good mixture, so they conquer and carry it.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

man. Hebrew. ‘adam. App-14.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Reciprocal: Exo 25:18 – two cherubims of gold 1Ki 7:29 – lions Eze 10:21 – had four

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Eze 41:19, We usually think of a person who is “two-faced” In an unfavorable light, but such is not always necessary, even when the faces are not alike. Things may differ without being contradictory, and hence they may co-operate with each Other in a common interest. By having two faces the cherubims could see the palm trees from two viewpoints or with two kinds of interests. The palm tree was one of the most admired of all the plants that grew in Palestine. It is referred to in poetic speech as a symbol of peace, and it was literally used for food and other practical purposes. Since the tree therefore was useful for both man and beast, it was appropriate that the faces of the cherubims would be those of a man and a lion.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary