Ezekiel 40:26

Seven steps led up to it, and its portico was opposite them; it had palm trees on its side pillars, one on each side.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The prophet Ezekiel records architectural details of a temple gate during a divinely guided vision tour. He describes the structure's dimensions and features as part of a measured layout.

The words — שִׁבְעָה (shiv'ah) means seven, and תִמֹרִים (timorim) means palm trees. The verse literally states that seven steps ascend toward the structure, with its portico positioned opposite them and a single palm tree on each side pillar.

The thread — The seven-step ascent and palm tree motifs appear in Ezekiel 40:22 and 40:16, where similar measurements and architectural elements are noted for other gates. Ezekiel 40:6 also records the prophet climbing steps at the eastern gate.

Why it lands — The text demands precise attention to the temple's measured design rather than symbolic speculation. It requires the reader to recognize the deliberate repetition of structural details across the visionary layout.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וּמַעֲל֤וֹתu./ma.'a.Lotand/ [was] steps שִׁבְעָה֙shiv.'Ahseven עֹֽלוֹתָ֔יוo.lo.to/vstairways/ its וְאֵֽלַמָּ֖יוve./'e.la.mo/vand/ porches/ its לִפְנֵיהֶ֑םli/f.nei./Hem[were] <to>/ before/ them וְתִמֹרִ֣יםve./ti.mo.Rimand/ palm treesל֗וֹl/o[belonged] to/ itאֶחָ֥ד'e.Chadone מִפּ֛וֹmi./Pofrom/ here וְאֶחָ֥דve./'e.Chadand/ one מִפּ֖וֹmi./Pofrom/ here אֶל־'el-to אֵילָֽיו׃'ei.lo/vpillars/ its

King James Version

And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.

Cross-references

Ezekiel 40:22 Its windows, portico, and palm trees had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them.
Ezekiel 40:16 The gate chambers and their side pillars had beveled windows all around the inside of the gateway. The porticos also had windows all around on the inside. Each side pillar was decorated with palm trees.
Ezekiel 40:6 Then he came to the gate facing east and climbed its steps. He measured the threshold of the gate to be one rod deep.
Psalms 92:12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Song of Solomon 7:7 Your stature is like a palm tree; your breasts are clusters of fruit.
Ezekiel 40:29 Its 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.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.