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Holman Bible Dictionary

KJV rendering of a Hebrew word in Ezekiel 40:16-36 . The KJV translates the word as porch elsewhere (for example, 1 Kings 6:3; 1Kings 7:12,1Kings 7:19,1 Kings 7:21 ). Other versions translate the word as porch (NAS), portico and galleries (NIV), vestibule and walls (RSV), and entrance room and galleries (TEV). Aside from 1 Kings 7:6 (where the word describes a covered porch whose roof is supported by columns; see Hall of Pillars), the word refers to the entrance room to the main building of the Temple just outside the holy place. The entrance was about thirty by fifteen feet and forty-five feet high ( 1 Kings 6:2-3; but compare 2 Chronicles 3:4 ). In Ezekiel's vision of the Temple, each gate leading into the court of the Gentiles also had a vestibule (Ezekiel 40:7-26 ) as did the gates to the court of the Israelites (Ezekiel 40:29-37 ).