יחזקאל, פרק מ״א, פסוק כ׳

The inner space of the future Temple is characterized by remarkable beauty, its walls adorned from the ground up with deeply symbolic carvings. Elaborate designs of cherubs and palm trees cover the walls, starting from the very floor and extending upward [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. The continuous flow of these images ensures that not a single space is left unadorned within the building [מצודת דוד]. On the eastern wall, where the main entrance is located, the artwork reaches only the area above the doorway, as the doorposts and lintel themselves remain completely plain [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. This visual style echoes the design of the First Temple, though that earlier structure incorporated additional motifs, such as a greater number of lions [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beyond their visual appeal, these carvings carry a profound spiritual message. The cherubs are depicted with two distinct faces: a human and a lion. The human face represents God's mercy and grace, while the lion face symbolizes strict judgment and destruction. Both of these figures are positioned looking toward the palm trees, which serve as a symbol for the Israelites. This specific arrangement teaches that all circumstances, whether gentle or harsh, come directly from God. He turns to the nation sometimes with compassion and sometimes with strict justice, responding entirely based on their actions [אברבנאל].

Regarding the final architectural details of the sanctuary walls, multiple perspectives exist. The primary approach among commentators is that the text simply continues its visual description, confirming that these continuous carvings cover every wall of the main hall [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This detail specifically expands the scope of the decorations to include the main sanctuary, whereas earlier descriptions focused solely on the Holy of Holies [רד״ק]. Another view links the mention of the wall to the structural design of the entrance, suggesting the sanctuary features square doorposts [רש״י]. A completely different approach argues that this final detail does not relate to the carvings at all. Rather, it introduces a major architectural change for the future Temple: a solid, physical wall will divide the Holy of Holies from the main sanctuary, replacing the simple woven curtain that served this purpose during the time of the Second Temple [אברבנאל].