H5646 H5646
architectural term of uncertain meaning; possibly threshold, canopy, or thick beam
This architectural noun appears three times but its precise meaning remains uncertain. First Kings 7:6 mentions it alongside 'pillars' in describing Solomon's palace construction. Ezekiel 41:25-26 uses it twice in the temple vision—'a canopy of wood in front of the porch' and 'the canopies' on the side chambers. Ancient versions and modern scholars propose various meanings: threshold, thick beam or plank, projecting roof, or canopy. The uncertainty reflects our limited knowledge of ancient architectural terminology. What's clear is that this was a wooden structural element associated with entrances or porches—whether overhead (canopy/beam) or underfoot (threshold).
Senses
1. sense 1 — The Kings reference pairs it with 'pillars' in palace architecture, while Ezekiel's vision uses it for temple porch elements—'before the porch on the outside' (41:25). The plural 'the canopies/thresholds' (41:26) suggests multiple instances of this feature. Cross-linguistic translations show the uncertainty: English varies between 'threshold' and 'canopy,' Spanish uses 'dosel/viga' (canopy/beam), French alternates 'plafond/seuil' (ceiling/threshold). The wooden material is specified (Ezek 41:25: 'canopy of wood'), distinguishing it from stone features. Whatever the exact structure, it marked entrances to significant buildings—palace and temple alike. 3×
AR["وَ-إِفْرِيزٌ", "وَالسُّقُوفِ", "وَسَقْفٌ"]·ben["এবং-চাদোয়া", "এবং-মোটা", "এবং-মোটা-বারান্দাগুলি"]·DE["[והעבים]", "[ועב]", "und-threshold"]·EN["and-canopy-of", "and-the-canopies", "and-threshold"]·FR["et-plafond", "et-seuil"]·heb["ו-ה-עובים", "ו-עב"]·HI["और-छज्जे", "और-निकला-हुआ-छज्जा", "और-मोटी"]·ID["dan-ambang", "dan-langkan", "dan-langkan-langkan"]·IT["[והעבים]", "[ועב]", "e-soglia"]·jav["lan-ambang-ambang", "lan-kandel", "lan-tritisan"]·KO["그리고-그-두꺼운-들보들", "그리고-두꺼운", "그리고-차양이"]·PT["e-as-vigas", "e-viga"]·RU["и-балки", "и-навес", "и-навесы"]·ES["y-dosel", "y-las-vigas", "y-viga-de"]·SW["na-nguzo", "na-ukingo"]·TR["ve-kiriş", "ve-kirişler", "ve-tavan"]·urd["اور-شہتیر", "اور-موٹے-شہتیر", "اور-چھجا"]
Related Senses
H1129 1. Qal: build, construct (316×)H2691a 1. court, courtyard, enclosure (142×)G4864 1. synagogue, place of Jewish assembly (56×)G5438 1. prison, place of confinement (41×)H4013 1. fortress, stronghold (37×)H0875 1. well, cistern (dug water source) (35×)H0352b 1. pillar or jamb of gateway (32×)H2474 1. window, opening in wall (32×)H1406 1. roof / rooftop (31×)H4609b 1. steps, stairs, stairway (31×)H1129 2. Nifal: be built, be established (30×)H0361 1. portico, porch (architectural structure) (27×)H1129 3. Qal participle: builder (27×)H1219 1. fortified, inaccessible (25×)H4581 1. fortress, stronghold (25×)H3805 1. capital of a pillar (24×)H4350 1. stand, base, pedestal (24×)H0759 1. palace, royal residence (21×)H4692 1. siege, besiegement (20×)G3618 1. build or construct physically (19×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† I. עָב [עֹב] n.m. archit. term, meaning unknown; projecting roof is conjectured (Sm Co Berthol); others landing (Da); AV RV thick beam or plank, RVm threshold; Benz Kit Toy leave untranslated; in any case a structure of wood;—abs. וְעַסֻּדִים וְעָב 1 K 7:6; appar. cstr. וְעָב עֵץ אֶל־פְּנֵי הָאוּלָם מֵהַחוּץ Ez 41:25; pl. (si vera l.) הָעֻבִּים v 26.