וְאֵלַמָּ֗ו אֶל־חָצֵר֙ הַחִ֣צוֹנָ֔ה וְתִמֹרִ֖ים אֶל־אֵילָ֑ו וּמַעֲל֥וֹת שְׁמוֹנֶ֖ה מַעֲלָֽו׃
And its porches were toward the outer court, and palm trees were upon its posts, and its ascent had eight steps.
Morphology
- וְאֵלַמּוֹ (ve-elammo) – Root: אֵילָם (ʾēlam); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular with suffix 3ms; Translation: “and its porch”; Notes: Refers to the vestibule attached to the gate structure, opening toward the outer court.
- אֶל־חָצֵר (el-ḥatser) – Root: חצר (ḥatser); Form: Preposition אֶל + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “toward the court”; Notes: Indicates orientation of the porch toward the external court area.
- הַחִצּוֹנָה (ha-ḥitsonah) – Root: חוץ (ḥuts); Form: Definite adjective feminine singular; Translation: “the outer”; Notes: Specifies that this refers to the outer court as opposed to the inner court.
- וְתִמֹרִים (ve-timorim) – Root: תמר (tamar); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “and palm trees”; Notes: Decorative palm motifs carved upon the posts, symbolizing life and righteousness.
- אֶל־אֵילָו (el-eilav) – Root: אֵיל (ʾēl); Form: Preposition אֶל + noun masculine plural construct + suffix 3ms; Translation: “upon its posts”; Notes: Indicates the placement of palm tree engravings upon the supporting pillars of the gate.
- וּמַעֲלוֹת (u-maʿalot) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Conjunction וּ + noun feminine plural; Translation: “and steps”; Notes: Refers to the stairs or steps leading upward toward the gate entrance.
- שְׁמוֹנֶה (shemoneh) – Root: שׁמנה (shemoneh); Form: Numeral; Translation: “eight”; Notes: Specifies the number of steps ascending to the gate—eight, representing elevation and completeness in temple imagery.
- מַעֲלוֹ (maʿalo) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + suffix 3ms; Translation: “its ascent”; Notes: Refers to the individual staircase or ascent belonging to this particular gate.