Ezekiel 41:18-20 - Exposition

As in Solomon's temple ( 1 Kings 6:29 ), the wainscoting was adorned with artistic carving of cherubim and palm trees , a palm tree and a cherub standing alternately. Each cherub had two of its four faces exhibited (since four could not be conveniently represented on a plain surface)—a man's face (symbolizing the rational creation) directed towards the palm tree on one side, and a young lion's face (symbolizing the irrational creation) turned towards the palm tree on the other side. This particular style of ornamentation was employed from the ground unto above the door , which Plumptre interprets as an indication of the height of the palm trees and cherubic figures, but which probably meant the same thing as the preceding clause, "through all the house round about." Cherubic figures formed part of the adornment of the tabernacle curtains ( Exodus 26:1 ; Exodus 36:8 ). (On the nature of the cherubim and their symbolic significance, see Ezekiel 1:5-10 .)