And there was an enlarging, and a winding about still upward to the side chambers: for the winding about of the house went still upward round about the house: therefore the breadth of the house was still upward, and so increased from the lowest chamber to the highest by the midst.

EZEKIEL 41:7KJV
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Ezekiel 41:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 41:7 mean?

Ezekiel 41:7 describes how the side rooms of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision became larger as they went higher, with a spiral or winding structure allowing access upward from the lowest to the highest level. The verse explains that the building’s design caused the upper chambers to be wider than the lower ones, increasing in size as they rose.

In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel is being shown detailed measurements and features of a future temple by a heavenly guide. This verse focuses on the architecture of the temple’s side chambers, highlighting a unique construction where the rooms expand in width on each ascending story. The winding passage or staircase enabled movement between these levels, showing careful planning in the temple’s design.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 41:7

  • "enlarging" (רָחַב, rachav): This word means to widen or become broader. It points out that the side rooms were designed to get bigger as they went up, which is unusual compared to most ancient buildings.
  • "winding about" (סָבַב, savav): This word means to go around or encircle. Here, it refers to a spiral or winding structure, likely a staircase, that allowed access to the higher chambers.
  • "chambers" (צֵלָע, tselāʿ): This word refers to side rooms or compartments. The verse’s focus on these chambers shows their importance in the temple’s layout.
  • "breadth" (רֹחַב, rochav): This word means width. The verse emphasizes that the width of the house increased as one went higher, which is a key architectural detail.

Why Ezekiel 41:7 matters

  • Ezekiel 41:7 clears up the unusual design of the temple’s side rooms, showing that the structure was intentionally made so the upper rooms were larger, not just stacked evenly.
  • The verse highlights the careful and complex planning of the temple, emphasizing the importance of every detail in Ezekiel’s vision.
  • This architectural detail connects to the larger theme of order and holiness in the temple vision, showing that every part of God’s house was thoughtfully arranged.

Where else these words appear

“midst” Hebrew H8484 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 26:28 And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.
  • Judges 7:19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
  • 2 Kings 20:4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

“lowest” Hebrew H8481 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:24 (And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.)
  • Ezekiel 40:19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.

“enlarging” Hebrew H7337 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
  • Psalms 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

“chambers” Hebrew H6763 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • Exodus 36:25 And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,
  • 1 Kings 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.