In the context of biblical architecture and temple design, side-rooms refer to the auxiliary chambers or compartments that were constructed alongside the main structures, particularly in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. These rooms served various purposes, including storage, housing temple treasures, and providing space for the priests and Levites to perform their duties.

Biblical References:

1. Solomon's Temple:
The most detailed description of side-rooms is found in the account of Solomon's Temple. In 1 Kings 6:5-6 , it is recorded: "Against the walls of the main hall and the inner sanctuary he built a structure around the building, in which there were side rooms. The lowest floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits, and the third floor seven cubits. He made offset ledges around the outside of the temple so that nothing would be inserted into the temple walls."

These side-rooms were constructed in three accounts, each with increasing width, and were used for various temple-related activities. The design allowed for the structural integrity of the temple walls to remain intact, as the beams of the side-rooms did not penetrate the main walls.

2. Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple:
In Ezekiel's vision of a future temple, side-rooms are again mentioned. Ezekiel 41:5-6 states: "Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick. The width of each side room around the temple was four cubits. The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty on each level. There were ledges all around the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports would not be inserted into the temple wall."

This vision reflects a similar architectural concept as Solomon's Temple, emphasizing the importance of these rooms in the temple's design and function.

Functions and Significance:

· Storage and Treasuries:
The side-rooms were often used to store temple treasures, offerings, and other valuable items. This is implied in passages such as 1 Chronicles 28:11-12, where David gives Solomon the plans for the temple, including the treasuries.

· Priestly Activities:
The side-rooms provided space for the priests and Levites to carry out their duties, including preparing offerings and storing sacred garments and utensils. This practical use underscores the importance of these rooms in maintaining the daily operations of temple worship.

· Symbolic Meaning:
From a theological perspective, the side-rooms can be seen as representing the support and sustenance of the central place of worship. They highlight the organized and orderly nature of worship in ancient Israel, reflecting God's desire for structure and reverence in His dwelling place.

Architectural Considerations:

The construction of side-rooms required careful planning to ensure the stability and sanctity of the temple. The use of offset ledges and the non-intrusive design of the beams demonstrate a respect for the sacred space of the temple, ensuring that the main structure remained unblemished and holy.

In summary, side-rooms in biblical architecture served essential practical and symbolic roles within the temple complex. They facilitated the proper functioning of temple worship and underscored the organized nature of Israelite religious practices.

Building for Community Service
... As the idea of providing for Sunday school began to prevail gradually side
rooms were added to provide for extra Sunday school classes. ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter v building for community.htm

Meditation ii. The Supper-Room.
... I had preciously seen Jesus preach and perform miraculous cures there, and
the disciples frequently passed the night in the side rooms. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation ii the supper-room.htm

Meditation vi. The Last Pasch.
... Each party went to their own table; and two sets of disciples in the side
rooms, and our Lord and his Apostles in the supper-room. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation vi the last pasch.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... However, they had large spaces within of thirty cubits, and had on each side rooms,
and those, both in breadth and in length, built like towers, and their ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... Thereupon I saw that two priests went out into the hall to Joachim as though by
God's command, and led him through the side rooms up to the golden altar of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Carey as an Educator --The First Christian College in the East
... examinations. Of the twelve side-rooms above and below, eight were of spacious
dimensions, twenty-seven feet by thirty-five. The ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiv carey as an.htm

Ranee Khet Mission.
... Before its completion we got, close at hand, a site for a school-house, which, with
its handsome hall and four side-rooms, furnishes more accommodation than ...
/.../chapter xxii ranee khet mission.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... [1749] Shabb. 77 b. So Lightfoot in loc. [1750] The Teraqlin, from which the other
side-rooms opened (Jer. Rosh haSh. 59 b; Yoma 15 b). From Baba B. vi. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

Side-rooms (7 Occurrences)
Side-rooms. Side-roads, Side-rooms. Sides . Multi-Version
Concordance Side-rooms (7 Occurrences). Ezekiel 41:5 Then ...
/s/side-rooms.htm - 8k

Rooms (69 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:5 And against the walls all round, and against the walls of the Temple
and of the inmost room, he put up wings, with siderooms all round: (BBE NIV). ...
/r/rooms.htm - 28k

Inlets (4 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 41:6 And the side-rooms, room over room, were three times thirty;
there were inlets in the wall of the house for the side-rooms round about, for ...
/i/inlets.htm - 7k

Supports (25 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 41:6 And the side-rooms, room over room, were three times thirty;
there were inlets in the wall of the house for the side-rooms round about, for ...
/s/supports.htm - 14k

Supporting (31 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:9 The wall supporting the side-rooms on the outside was five cubits thick:
and there was a free space of five cubits between the side-rooms of the ...
/s/supporting.htm - 16k

Space (98 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:7 The side-rooms became wider as they went higher up the house, by the
amount of the space let into the wall up round about the house, because of ...
/s/space.htm - 37k

Supported (43 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 41:6 And the side-rooms, room over room, were three times thirty;
there were inlets in the wall of the house for the side-rooms round about, for ...
/s/supported.htm - 19k

Floor (69 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 41:7 The side-rooms became wider as they went higher up the house, by the
amount of the space let into the wall up round about the house, because of ...
/f/floor.htm - 32k

Overhangs (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 41:26 And there were sloping windows and palm-trees on one side and on the
other, on the sides of the covered way: and the side-rooms of the house and ...
/o/overhangs.htm - 6k

Lowest (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:8 The door to the lowest siderooms was in the right side of the house;
and they went up by twisting steps into the middle rooms, and from the middle ...
/l/lowest.htm - 15k

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