And the gateway had windows all around, narrowing inwards toward the side rooms and toward their jambs, and likewise the vestibule had windows all around inside, and on the jambs were palm trees.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The often overlooked detail here is the specific description of the windows: they were "narrow" or "closed," likely meaning they were fixed or latticed rather than openings that could be opened and closed like modern windows. This suggests a design focused on controlled light and perhaps security, rather than ventilation, and the way they were sloped within the thick walls helped diffuse the light throughout the space.
And the gateway had windows all around, narrowing inwards toward the side rooms and toward their jambs, and likewise the vestibule had windows all around inside, and on the jambs were palm trees.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel's vision continues with a detailed description of the temple's outer gateway, focusing on its architectural features and decorative elements. This verse specifically describes the windows within this gateway structure and the ornate palm tree carvings on its posts, contributing to the overall sense of order, beauty, and divine presence that Ezekiel is meant to convey. The preceding verses set the stage by introducing the gateway's dimensions, and the following verses will elaborate on other parts of the temple complex.
Imagine stepping through an ancient gateway. What would the lighting be like? This verse paints a detailed picture, not just of windows, but of how they were designed to function.
Ezekiel describes 'narrow windows' that 'narrow inwards'. This wasn't a flaw, but a brilliant design!
Purposeful Illumination
Why palm trees? In ancient Near Eastern culture, these weren't just decorative. They carried deep meaning that speaks volumes about the nature of God's dwelling and His people.
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The recurring image of palm trees on the 'jambs' (the side posts of the doorways) is rich with symbolism.
Pillars of Faith
Understand the original words
shaʿar · Hebrew Noun
The point of entry into a structure, often symbolic of access, judgment, authority, or the threshold between holy and common spaces. In the context of the temple, gates represent the transition into the presence of God.
ʾayil · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the temple architecture, these represent the pillars or vertical supports flanking a doorway, often serving as structural and symbolic boundaries. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, they were frequently adorned with carvings.
tōmer · Hebrew Noun
A decorative motif common in ancient Near Eastern temples, often symbolizing beauty, righteousness, victory, and the fruitful presence of God. Their presence in the temple imagery connects back to the Garden of Eden and the abundance of the promised land.
Ezekiel's detailed vision of a new Temple, including its intricate gateway architecture with palm motifs and symbolic windows, was given during the deep despair of the Babylonian exile. It served as a divine reassurance of future restoration and God's enduring presence, even after the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants and scattering them among their vast territories. This event served as a stark warning to the southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience and political unfaithfulness.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, exiling King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the Judean elite, including the prophet Ezekiel. This marked the beginning of Judah's decline and foreshadowed greater devastation.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, the central place of worship for Israel. The remaining population is largely exiled to Babylon, leaving the land devastated and the people in despair.
c. 573 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Vision of the New Temple
Ezekiel receives an elaborate vision of a new Temple, its precincts, and a restored city. This vision, described in detail from chapter 40 onwards, offers hope and a blueprint for future restoration during the Babylonian exile.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This conquest led to the eventual decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
520-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest, the Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem and complete the rebuilding of the Temple. While a significant achievement, it was a less glorious structure than Solomon's original Temple.
This passage describes windows in Solomon's temple, drawing a parallel to the architectural details mentioned in Ezekiel's vision, suggesting continuity in sacred building traditions.
Song of Solomon 2:9The imagery of looking through windows is used poetically here to describe Christ's loving gaze upon His people, resonating with the idea of divine presence and observation within the sacred space described in Ezekiel.
Revelation 21:16The New Jerusalem is described with precise dimensions and precious materials, echoing the detailed architectural vision of Ezekiel and pointing to a future, perfect dwelling place of God.
Ezekiel 41:16This verse continues the detailed description of the temple's inner chambers, further illuminating the architectural features and decorative elements, like the palm motifs, introduced in the gateway.
jfbEzekiel 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."
- narrow—latticed [Henderson]. The ancients had no glass, so they had them latticed, narrow in the interior of the walls, and widening at the exterior. "Made fast," or "firmly fixed in the chambers" [Maurer].arches—rather, "porches."
pooleEzekiel 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."
Narrow windows: these lights were made through the thickness of the wall of the chambers, and the wall was sloped for that purpose, both within toward the chamber, and without toward the cloister, this outward sloping gathering the light from without, and the inward sloping did…
The often overlooked detail here is the specific description of the windows: they were "narrow" or "closed," likely meaning they were fixed or latticed rather than openings that could be opened and closed like modern windows. This suggests a design focused on controlled light and perhaps security, rather than ventilation, and the way they were sloped within the thick walls helped diffuse the light throughout the space.
Ezekiel's vision continues with a detailed description of the temple's outer gateway, focusing on its architectural features and decorative elements. This verse specifically describes the windows within this gateway structure and the ornate palm tree carvings on its posts, contributing to the overall sense of order, beauty, and divine presence that Ezekiel is meant to convey. The preceding verses set the stage by introducing the gateway's dimensions, and the following verses will elaborate on other parts of the temple complex.
Ezekiel's vision continues with a detailed description of the temple's outer gateway, focusing on its architectural features and decorative elements. This verse specifically describes the windows within this gateway structure and the ornate palm tree carvings on its posts, contributing to the overall sense of order, beauty, and divine presence that Ezekiel is meant to convey. The preceding verses set the stage by introducing the gateway's dimensions, and the following verses will elaborate on other parts of the temple complex.
"And the gateway had windows all around, narrowing inwards toward the side rooms and toward their jambs, and likewise the vestibule had windows all around inside, and on the jambs were palm trees." — The often overlooked detail here is the specific description of the windows: they were "narrow" or "closed," likely meaning they were fixed or latticed rather than openings that could be opened and c…
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Last reviewed October 2026