Lexical Summary musab: Surrounding, round about, encircling Original Word: מוּסָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance winding about From cabab; a turn, i.e. Circuit (of a building) -- winding about. see HEBREW cabab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sabab Definition perhaps encompassing, surrounding NASB Translation surrounding (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מוּסָב] noun masculine encompassing, surrounding (?); — only construct מוּסַב הַבַּיִת Ezekiel 41:7 the encompassing of the house, but meaning wholly obscure; מוּסַף ֗֗֗ enlargement Ew Berthol ToyHpt after ᵐ5; Co strike out clause as dittograph Niph`al Topical Lexicon Core conceptMusab designates the circumferential structure that envelops the side chambers in Ezekiel’s visionary temple. The context presents it as an ascending ring-like framework that enables each upper tier of rooms to project farther outward than the one beneath, thereby creating broader space while maintaining stability. Textual setting (Ezekiel 41:7) “And the side rooms widened out all around the temple on all three levels, because the structure surrounding the temple went upward level by level all around the temple. Therefore the width of the temple increased as it went higher, and one would go up from the lower level to the middle and from the middle to the upper” (Berean Standard Bible). Only here is the term employed, underscoring its technical, architectural nuance within the prophet’s detailed description of a future house of worship. Architectural significance 1. Load-bearing design The upward, stepped recession of the inner wall and the concentric support of the musab transfer weight progressively inward, a principle already evident in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:6) but now elaborated with even greater precision. 2. Expanded service quarters By offsetting the inner wall, the musab allows the upper chambers—reserved for priestly storage, vestments and sacred utensils—to grow wider, reflecting an anticipated increase in priestly activity and offerings in the coming age (Ezekiel 42:13-14). 3. Continuous circulation The encircling nature of the structure facilitates unobstructed movement from one level to another, bolstering both functionality and ritual purity by minimizing intersection with the inner sanctuary’s most sacred zones. Theological symbolism 1. Divine protection Just as the musab surrounds the sanctuary, so “the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). The architectural embrace mirrors covenantal security. 2. Progressive holiness The widening of chambers as one ascends suggests ever-increasing capacity for service and fellowship with God. It anticipates the New Testament portrait of believers being “built up as a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5), growing in grace the higher they rise. 3. Ordered worship The concentric arrangement testifies to God’s insistence on order within His dwelling (1 Corinthians 14:40). Every layer has purpose, every measurement meaning, underscoring the harmony of form and function in divine worship. Historical parallels • Tabernacle: Though portable, the wilderness sanctuary was likewise encased by curtains and boards, providing a preliminary type of protective enclosure (Exodus 26). Ministry applications 1. Facility planning Modern church architects can glean principles of efficient space utilization: support that widens usable area without compromising integrity, ease of movement for ministry teams, and the protective layering of sacred and common zones. 2. Spiritual formation The ascending, widening pattern encourages believers to expect greater breadth of ministry as they mature. Initial narrowness gives way to expanded capacity for stewardship, hospitality and teaching. 3. Community life Encirclement imagery calls congregations to surround one another in prayer, accountability and service, reflecting God’s own encompassing care. Eschatological outlook Ezekiel’s temple has stirred longstanding debate—literal, symbolic or millennial. Whatever the interpretive stance, musab contributes to a portrait of future worship that is expansive, ordered and securely shielded. The term therefore feeds hope for a consummated temple presence when “the dwelling of God is with men” (Revelation 21:3). Related scriptural motifs • Surrounding deliverance: Psalm 125:2; Zechariah 2:5 Summary Musab, though occurring only once, enriches the biblical picture of God’s house as a place both safeguarded and spacious, enabling ascending service and deeper communion. Its singular appearance in Ezekiel functions as a precise architectural term and a vivid theological signpost pointing to God’s encircling grace and the ever-broadening ministry of His people. Forms and Transliterations מֽוּסַב־ מוסב־ mū·saḇ- mūsaḇ- musavLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 41:7 HEB: לַצְּלָע֗וֹת כִּ֣י מֽוּסַב־ הַ֠בַּיִת לְמַ֨עְלָה NAS: Because the structure surrounding the temple KJV: to the side chambers: for the winding about of the house INT: the side Because surrounding the temple upward 1 Occurrence |
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