Ezekiel 40:34

Verse

Its portico faced the outer court, and its side pillars were decorated with palm trees on each side. Eight steps led up to it.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the arches thereof were toward the outer court; and palm-trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the ascent to it had eight steps.

Bible in Basic English

And the covered way was on the side nearest the outer square; there were palm-trees on the uprights, on this side and on that: and there were eight steps going up to it.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the porch thereof, that is, of the outward court: and the graven palm trees in the front thereof on this side and on that side: and the going up thereof was by eight steps.

Free Bible Version

Its porch faced the outer courtyard, and its posts were decorated with palm tree designs. It had eight steps leading up to it.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.

Translation for Translators

Its entry room faced the outer courtyard. It also had carvings of palm trees that decorated the walls, and it had eight steps up to it.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Its portico faced the outer courtyard; it had palm trees on either side of it and eight steps going up it.

Noah Webster Bible

And its arches were towards the outward court; and palm-trees were upon its posts, on this side, and on that side: and the ascent to it had eight steps.

World English Bible

Its arches were toward the outer court. Palm trees were on its posts on this side and on that side. The ascent to it had eight steps.

Young's Literal Translation

and its arches [are] toward the outer court, and palm-trees [are] toward its posts, on this side and on that side, and eight steps [are] its ascent.

Context

The Gates of the Inner Court

³³Its gate chambers, side pillars, and portico had the same measurements as the others. Both the gateway and its portico had windows all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.³⁴Its portico faced the outer court, and its side pillars were decorated with palm trees on each side. Eight steps led up to it.

Summary

In Ezekiel 40:34, the prophet describes a chamber in the temple that faced the outer court. This chamber was located in the northern part of the temple complex and had a doorway that faced north. The specific details provided by Ezekiel in this vision highlight the meticulous planning and design of the temple, emphasizing the importance of order and structure in worship. This verse serves as a reminder of the reverence and care that should be given to the sacred spaces dedicated to God, reflecting the significance of honoring God with excellence and attention to detail.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side,.... This is still the north gate of the inward court, which had a porch that reached from the outward to the inner gate of it, in which were three little chambers on each side, Eze 40:36, between each of which were a space of five cubits, Eze 40:7, so that there were two such spaces on each side; and in these spaces, as Starckius well conjectures, these tables were placed, two on one side, and two on the other: the use of them was, to slay thereon the burnt offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; all typical of the sacrifice of Christ: concerning the "burnt offering", as such; see Gill on Eze 40:38; and as for the "sin offering" and "trespass offering", which in the Hebrew language signify sin and guilt itself, they represented Christ, who had no sin in his nature, nor ever did any in his life, yet was made sin for his people; having all their sins laid upon him, with all that belong unto them, or are deserved by them: these were, the one for errors, strayings, and sins of ignorance; the other for known and wilful sins; and both show that Christ is a sacrifice for all sorts of sin, even for the most vile and enormous: now these tables were for those sacrifices to be slain upon them, or to be laid upon them, being slain; and signify in Gospel times the table of the Lord, Co1 10:21 or the ordinance of the Lord's supper; in which there is not a reiteration, but a commemoration of the sacrifice of Christ; here he is evidently set forth as crucified and slain; his death as a sacrifice is shown, and held forth to the faith of the Lord's people, for their joy and comfort, Gal 3:1.