Original Word: בִּנְיָן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: binyan
Pronunciation: bin-YAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (bin-yawn')
KJV: building
NASB: building
Word Origin: [from H1129 (בָּנָה - built)]

1. an edifice

building

From banah; an edifice -- building.

see HEBREW banah

Word Origin
from banah
Definition
a structure
NASB Translation
building (6).

בִּנְיָן noun masculine structure (loan-word = image u%navailable according to Lag^{BN 205}) applied

a. to enclosing wall of Ezekiel's temple Ezekiel 40:5;

b. to rear-building of same Ezekiel 41:12 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 41:15, but read probably בִּנְיָה q. v.; so Sm Co;

c. apparently to whole temple Ezekiel 42:1,10 (Co reads הבית); compare Ezekiel 42:5 (strike out Co); — Sm refers Ezekiel 42:1 to enclosing wall, see

a.

Occurrences in Ezekiel

The noun בִּנְיָן appears seven times, all within the detailed visionary description of the future temple (Ezekiel 40–42):

• Ezekiel 40:5
• Ezekiel 41:12 (twice)
• Ezekiel 41:15
• Ezekiel 42:1
• Ezekiel 42:5
• Ezekiel 42:10

In every case the term denotes a specific structure within the temple complex, often distinguished from courts, chambers, and gateways.

Context in Ezekiel’s Temple Vision

After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel is transported in a vision to a “very high mountain” where he is shown a meticulously measured sanctuary (Ezekiel 40:2). The repeated use of בִּנְיָן underscores:

1. Precision: The angelic guide measures each building “with a measuring rod of six long cubits” (Ezekiel 40:5).
2. Separation: The buildings lie on the outer fringes of the sacred area, marking degrees of holiness from outer courts to the most holy place (Ezekiel 42:1,10).
3. Permanence: The vision promised an enduring dwelling for God among His people after exile, contrasting the destroyed Solomonic temple.

Historical Significance

For exiles in Babylon, the detailed mention of each building conveyed assurance that the covenant-keeping God would restore worship in an ordered, glorious house. The specificity anchored hope in concrete reality, not mere abstraction.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Presence and Order

Each building is situated by divine measurement, affirming that worship, access, and service are regulated by God’s own design (cf. Exodus 25:9).

2. Holiness and Separation

The location of the buildings delineates holy space. “The building facing the temple courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits wide” (Ezekiel 41:12), placing a clear boundary behind the Most Holy Place.

3. Eschatological Fulfillment

Many view Ezekiel’s temple as foreshadowing a millennial sanctuary (Ezekiel 43:7). The prominent buildings supply tangible architecture for anticipated future restoration (Isaiah 2:2–3; Zechariah 6:12–13).

Typological Connections

Scripture progressively reveals God’s dwelling:

• Tabernacle in the wilderness – Exodus 40
• First Temple – 1 Kings 8
• Ezekiel’s visionary buildings – Ezekiel 40–42
• Incarnate Christ – John 2:19–21
• The Church – “built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22)
• The New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:3,22

Thus, בִּנְיָן in Ezekiel stands in a continuum pointing ultimately to the consummate dwelling of God with redeemed humanity.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Reverence for God-ordained Structure

The careful articulation of each building encourages churches to value order in corporate worship (1 Corinthians 14:40).

2. Commitment to Building God’s House

Believers are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), called to participate in a spiritual construction no less intentional than Ezekiel’s visionary complex.

3. Hope in Restoration

Like the exiles, congregations facing loss or decline can look to God’s promise of rebuilding. “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

Summary

בִּנְיָן, though limited to seven occurrences in Ezekiel, contributes significantly to biblical theology. It accents the meticulous care with which God designs His dwelling, nourishes eschatological expectation, and instructs the present-day people of God to pursue ordered, holy, and hopeful ministry as participants in His everlasting house.

בִּנְיָֽן׃ בנין׃ הַ֠בִּנְיָן הַבִּנְיָ֖ן הַבִּנְיָ֛ן הַבִּנְיָן֙ הבנין וְהַבִּנְיָ֡ן והבנין bin·yān binYan binyān hab·bin·yān habbinYan habbinyān Habbinyon vehabbinYan wə·hab·bin·yān wəhabbinyānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts