Lexical Summary tsurah: Form, shape, figure Original Word: צוּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance form, rock Feminine of tsuwr; a rock (Job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out) -- form, rock. see HEBREW tsuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsur Definition form, fashion NASB Translation design (2), designs (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צוּרָה] noun feminine form, fashion; — construct צוּרַת Ezekiel 43:11 see foregoing; suffix צוּרַתוֺ Ezekiel 43:11 (ᵐ5 מִצְוֺתָיו, so Co, or תּוֺרֹתָיו, so Berthol Krae; Toy as MT); so also Kt Ezekiel 43:11; Ezekiel 43:11 (Qr plural suffix צוּרֹתָיו) 2nd of these strike out as dittograph all moderns; 1st read as Kt Co Berthol, as Qr Toy; singular suffix צוּרָם (Ges § 91 e Köii.1, 440) Psalm 49:15 Qr (Kt צירם) their form (of the dead). Topical Lexicon Summary of Meaning The word צוּרָה denotes an outward form, shape, or configuration. In Scripture it points to the concrete, visible expression of something conceived in the mind of God—especially His appointed pattern for worship. Occurrences in Scripture All four occurrences appear in the same verse, Ezekiel 43:11, where the prophet is commanded to show Israel “the form of the temple.” Here the term is repeated for emphasis, underscoring the completeness of the pattern God is revealing. Context in Ezekiel’s Temple Vision Ezekiel 40–48 records a detailed blueprint of a future sanctuary. After witnessing the return of the glory of the LORD, Ezekiel is told: “and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the form of the temple—its arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole form and all its statutes and ordinances. Put these in writing before them so that they may observe and follow its whole form and all its statutes.” (Ezekiel 43:11) צוּרָה anchors the divine imperative: repentance must be joined to conformity with God’s revealed design. The vision offers exiles hope of restored fellowship, but only on God’s terms. Theological Emphasis on Divine Pattern 1. Holiness Regulated—The form is not aesthetic preference but moral necessity. God’s holiness demands an environment reflecting His nature (Leviticus 19:2). Relationship to Other Biblical Terms for Pattern While צוּרָה appears only in Ezekiel 43, other Hebrew words reinforce the motif: Together they show that accurate external form and faithful internal obedience belong together. Historical Background Ezekiel received this vision in Babylonian exile (circa 573 B.C.). Solomon’s temple lay in ruins; the people needed assurance that covenant worship had a future. By specifying the form before any return to the land, God established that restoration would proceed according to His blueprint, not political convenience. Prophetic and Eschatological Perspectives Many scholars see Ezekiel’s temple as a literal millennial sanctuary (Isaiah 2:2–3; Zechariah 14:16–21). Others view it typologically, prefiguring the Church as a spiritual house (Ephesians 2:21–22). Either way, צוּרָה highlights that the final dwelling place of God with humanity conforms perfectly to His revealed will. New Testament Resonances The Greek Scriptures echo the same principle. Jesus is the ultimate “image” (ἐικών) of God (Colossians 1:15), embodying the exact form. Paul exhorts believers to “hold to the pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13), and the writer to the Hebrews reminds readers that Moses built the tabernacle according to the pattern shown him on the mountain (Hebrews 8:5). These texts trace an unbroken line from צוּרָה to Christ and the gospel. Practical Ministry Application • Worship: Churches must shape liturgy and practice by Scripture rather than culture. Reflection for Worship and Discipleship צוּרָה confronts modern readers with a timeless question: Will we submit to the form God has revealed, or craft our own? True renewal, then as now, begins with humble alignment to the divine pattern, culminating in the worship of the One whose form is perfect—our Lord Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations צ֨וּרֹתָ֤יו צֽוּרֹתָ֡ו צוּרַ֣ת צוּרָת֛וֹ צורת צורתו צורתיו ṣū·rā·ṯōw ṣū·raṯ ṣū·rō·ṯāw ṣūraṯ ṣūrāṯōw ṣūrōṯāw tzuRat tzuraTo tzuroTavLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 43:11 HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ עָשׂ֗וּ צוּרַ֣ת הַבַּ֡יִת וּתְכוּנָת֡וֹ NAS: make known to them the design of the house, KJV: shew them the form of the house, INT: they have done the design of the house and the fashion Ezekiel 43:11 Ezekiel 43:11 Ezekiel 43:11 4 Occurrences |
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