Bible Dictionary
Arch
In Ezekiel, “arch” is probably a rendering of a Hebrew word meaning porch, portico, or colonnade. The precise meaning is uncertain, though arched and corbelled construction was known in ancient Palestine.
Definition
In Ezekiel, arch is probably a mistranslation of a Hebrew word meaning porch, portico, or colonnade. The precise meaning remains uncertain.
Biblical Usage
The term occurs repeatedly in Ezekiel 40 in descriptions of the temple structure.
Historical Background
The principle of arch construction was known in antiquity, and early rude arches, including corbelled forms, have been found in Palestine. The supplied material notes that the Hebrew term may refer instead to posts or a colonnade.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An architectural term found only in Ezek. 40:16, 21, 22, 26, 29. There is no absolute proof that the Israelites employed arches in their buildings. The arch was employed in the building of the pyramids of Egypt. The oldest existing arch is at Thebes, and bears the date B.C. 1350. There are also still found the remains of an arch, known as Robinson’s Arch, of the bridge connecting Zion and Moriah. (See TYROPOEON VALLEY.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>arch ('ayil; Septuagint ta ailam, in sense of "posts" or "colonnade"): Referred to repeatedly in Eze 40:16 ff, but translation is an error for "porch" or "portico." the Revised Version (British and American) gives in marg, "or, colonnade. The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain." The principle of arch construction was known to the Jews and examples of early Jewish rude arches have been found in Palestine. An arched form need not necessarily be constructed with radiating joints; it can be corbelled as at Mycenae (Treasury of Atreus). This type of construction has been found also in Palestine.</p>