In biblical architecture and symbolism, the term "side-post" refers to the vertical components of a doorframe, particularly in the context of ancient Israelite dwellings and sacred spaces. The side-posts, along with the lintel, form the structural framework of a doorway. This term is notably mentioned in the context of the Passover narrative, where the side-posts play a crucial role in the divine instructions given to the Israelites.

Passover and the Side-posts

The most significant biblical reference to side-posts is found in the account of the first Passover in Exodus 12. God commanded the Israelites to mark their doorframes with the blood of a lamb to protect their households from the final plague on Egypt, the death of the firstborn. The instructions were explicit: "Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and apply some of the blood to the top and both sides of the doorframe" (Exodus 12:22). The blood on the side-posts and the lintel served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the house, sparing the inhabitants from the plague.

Symbolism and Significance

The act of marking the side-posts with blood is rich in symbolism. It signifies obedience to God's command and faith in His promise of deliverance. The side-posts, as part of the doorframe, represent the threshold between the safety of the home and the dangers outside. By marking the side-posts, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God's protection and their separation from the judgment that befell the Egyptians.

In a broader theological context, the blood on the side-posts prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood provides salvation and protection from spiritual death for believers. The Passover event, with its emphasis on the side-posts, is thus seen as a foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern architecture, doorframes, including side-posts, were often constructed from wood or stone. They were integral to the structural integrity of a building and served both functional and symbolic purposes. In Israelite culture, doorframes could also be places of inscription or decoration, bearing witness to the identity and beliefs of the household.

The use of side-posts in the Passover narrative underscores the importance of household faith and communal identity in the Israelite tradition. Each family was responsible for marking their own doorframe, highlighting the personal and familial nature of faith and obedience.

Conclusion

The side-posts, as mentioned in the Bible, carry significant theological and symbolic weight. They are a testament to the faith and obedience of the Israelites during the Passover and serve as a powerful symbol of God's protection and deliverance. Through the lens of Christian theology, the side-posts also point to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, offering a profound connection between the Old and New Testaments.4201. mezuzah -- a doorpost, gatepost
... door, side post. Or mzuzah {mez-oo-zaw'}; from the same as ziyz; a door-post (as
prominent) -- (door, side) post. see HEBREW ziyz. 4200, 4201. ...
/hebrew/4201.htm - 6k

Lection ii one Day, Therefore, While He was Occupied with the ...
... churchyard at Hampole carrying great stones, his poor beasts by an unhappy accident
turned aside from the path, and the cart collided with the side-post of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/lection ii one day therefore.htm

Christ Our Passover
... It was sprinkled on the lintel, the top of the door, on the side-post, but never
on the threshold, for woe unto him who trampleth under foot the blood of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

The Death of the Christian
... of shades. As the man went, he clutched at every side post by the way;
but Death, with iron hands, still pulled him on. There was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

Side-post (2 Occurrences)
Side-post. Side-growth, Side-post. Side-posts . Multi-Version
Concordance Side-post (2 Occurrences). Exodus 21:6 then ...
/s/side-post.htm - 7k

Side-posts (7 Occurrences)
Side-posts. Side-post, Side-posts. Side-roads . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Side-post, Side-posts. Side-roads . Reference Bible.
/s/side-posts.htm - 8k

Bored (2 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:6 then hath his lord brought him nigh unto God, and hath brought him nigh
unto the door, or unto the side-post, and his lord hath bored his ear with ...
/b/bored.htm - 7k

Side-growth (1 Occurrence)
Side-growth. Sided, Side-growth. Side-post . Multi-Version Concordance
Side-growth (1 Occurrence). ... (See NAS). Sided, Side-growth. Side-post . Reference ...
/s/side-growth.htm - 6k

Served (182 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:6 then hath his lord brought him nigh unto God, and hath brought him nigh
unto the door, or unto the side-post, and his lord hath bored his ear with ...
/s/served.htm - 37k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:9 And Hannah riseth after eating in Shiloh, and after drinking, and Eli
the priest is sitting on the throne by the side-post of the temple of Jehovah ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Riseth (165 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:9 And Hannah riseth after eating in Shiloh, and after drinking, and Eli
the priest is sitting on the throne by the side-post of the temple of Jehovah ...
/r/riseth.htm - 37k

Throne (181 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:9 And Hannah riseth after eating in Shiloh, and after drinking, and Eli
the priest is sitting on the throne by the side-post of the temple of Jehovah ...
/t/throne.htm - 48k

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