וְאֵילָ֗ו לֶֽחָצֵר֙ הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה וְתִמֹרִ֥ים אֶל־אֵילָ֖ו מִפּ֣וֹ וּמִפּ֑וֹ וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מַעֲל֖וֹת מַעֲלָֽו׃
And its posts were toward the outer court, and palm trees were upon its posts on this side and on that side, and its ascent had eight steps.
Morphology
- וְאֵילָו (ve-eilav) – Root: אֵיל (ʾēl); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine plural with suffix 3ms; Translation: “and its posts”; Notes: Refers to the supporting pillars or posts of the gate’s structure, marking architectural strength and symmetry.
- לֶחָצֵר (le-ḥatser) – Root: חצר (ḥatser); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “toward the court”; Notes: Indicates the direction of the posts, facing or adjoining the courtyard area.
- הַחִיצוֹנָה (ha-ḥitsonah) – Root: חוץ (ḥuts); Form: Definite adjective feminine singular; Translation: “the outer”; Notes: Specifies that this is the external court in contrast with the inner one.
- וְתִמֹרִים (ve-timorim) – Root: תמר (tamar); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “and palm trees”; Notes: Refers to decorative palm motifs engraved or carved on the posts, a common ornamental feature in temple architecture symbolizing beauty and victory.
- אֶל־אֵילָו (el-eilav) – Root: אֵיל (ʾēl); Form: Preposition אֶל + noun masculine plural construct + suffix 3ms; Translation: “upon its posts”; Notes: Indicates that the palm decorations were placed or carved on the gate’s supporting posts.
- מִפּוֹ (mi-po) – Root: —; Form: Preposition מִן + adverb פּוֹ (“here”); Translation: “on this side”; Notes: Marks one of the two symmetrical sides of the gate where the palm motifs were located.
- וּמִפּוֹ (u-mi-po) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וּ + preposition מִן + adverb פּוֹ; Translation: “and on that side”; Notes: Completes the bilateral symmetry, showing identical ornamentation on both sides of the gate’s posts.
- וּשְׁמֹנֶה (u-shemoneh) – Root: שׁמנה (shemoneh); Form: Conjunction וּ + numeral; Translation: “and eight”; Notes: Refers to the number of steps leading upward to the gate—eight steps indicating elevated sanctity and completion.
- מַעֲלוֹת (maʿalot) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Noun feminine plural; Translation: “steps”; Notes: Refers to the stairs or ascents connecting the court levels within the temple complex.
- מַעֲלוֹ (maʿalo) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + suffix 3ms; Translation: “its ascent”; Notes: Denotes the specific stairway or ascent belonging to this gate, completing the verse’s description of architectural precision.