From the ground unto above the door were cherubims and palm trees made, and on the wall of the temple.

EZEKIEL 41:20KJV
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Ezekiel 41:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 41:20 mean?

Ezekiel 41:20 describes how the walls of the temple, from the ground up to above the door, were decorated with carvings of cherubim and palm trees. This verse highlights the detailed and specific ornamentation found throughout the temple as seen in Ezekiel’s vision.

In this part of the book, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown a vision of a future temple by God, with an angelic guide explaining its features. The focus here is on the artistic design, showing that cherubim (angelic figures) and palm trees were not just on one part, but covered the walls from the floor to above the doors, emphasizing the sacred and beautiful nature of the space.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 41:20

  • חֶרֶבִים (keruvim, "cherubims"): This word refers to angelic beings often associated with the presence of God. Their repeated depiction on the temple walls underlines the holiness and divine protection of the place.
  • תְּמָרִים (temarim, "palm trees"): Palm trees are symbols of beauty, victory, and life in the ancient Near East. Their inclusion alongside cherubim suggests a setting meant to evoke both paradise and God’s blessing.
  • הֵיכָל (heikal, "temple"): This term specifically refers to the main sanctuary building, clarifying that these decorations were not just in outer areas but on the very walls of the central holy place.

Why Ezekiel 41:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple’s decoration was extensive and intentional, not limited to a single area but covering the walls from the ground up to above the doors.
  • The combination of cherubim and palm trees connects the temple’s design to earlier biblical imagery, such as the Garden of Eden and the tabernacle, reinforcing themes of God’s presence and restored creation.
  • Understanding the detailed ornamentation helps readers appreciate the reverence and care intended in the vision of the temple, highlighting its role as a place set apart for God.

Where else these words appear

“trees” Hebrew H8561 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • 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 arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees.
  • Ezekiel 40:37 And the posts thereof were toward the utter 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.

“wall” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

“cherubims” Hebrew H3742 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 6:28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
  • Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

“temple” Hebrew H1964 · used in 76 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 6:10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
  • Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.