In biblical architecture and symbolism, side-posts refer to the vertical components of a doorframe, often mentioned in the context of significant religious and cultural practices in ancient Israel. These structural elements are not merely functional but carry deep spiritual and covenantal significance, particularly in the context of the Passover and the construction of sacred spaces.

Passover and the Side-posts

The most notable mention of side-posts in the Bible occurs in the account of the first Passover in Egypt. In Exodus 12:7, the Israelites are instructed to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the doorframes of their houses: "They are to take some of the blood and put it on the two side-posts and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs" . This act served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn. The side-posts, along with the lintel, thus became symbols of divine protection and obedience to God's command.

Symbolism and Covenant

The application of blood on the side-posts is rich in symbolism, representing the covenant between God and His people. The act of marking the doorposts with blood signifies a household's faith and trust in God's deliverance. It is a physical manifestation of the covenant relationship, where the side-posts serve as a boundary between life and death, safety and judgment.

Side-posts in Sacred Architecture

In the construction of sacred spaces, side-posts also play a significant role. The design of the Tabernacle and later the Temple included detailed instructions for doorframes and posts, emphasizing the importance of these structures in the worship and religious life of Israel. For instance, in the description of Solomon's Temple, the side-posts are part of the intricate craftsmanship that adorned the holy place (1 Kings 6:31-33). These posts were often made of olive wood and overlaid with gold, signifying their sacred purpose and the glory of God's dwelling place.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The concept of side-posts extends beyond physical structures to moral and ethical boundaries. In Deuteronomy 6:9, the Israelites are commanded to write God's commandments on the doorframes of their houses: "Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates" . This practice serves as a daily reminder of God's laws and the call to live a life of holiness and obedience. The side-posts, therefore, symbolize the constant presence of God's word in the lives of His people, marking the entrance to their homes and hearts.

Conclusion

In summary, side-posts in the Bible are more than architectural elements; they are imbued with spiritual significance, representing protection, covenant, and the presence of God's word. Whether in the context of the Passover, the construction of sacred spaces, or the daily life of the Israelites, side-posts serve as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the call to live according to His commandments.

The Blood of Sprinkling (Second Sermon. )
... I showed, in the early part of this discourse, that the blood sprinkled on the lintel
and the two side-posts of the door preserved the Israelites on the night ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling second.htm

The Lord's Supper
... On the evening of that day, they were to kill the lamb. The blood of the lamb was
to be sprinkled on the two side-posts and upper lintels of every door. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the lords supper.htm

The Flight from Egypt.
... on the evening that God had appointed, to kill a lamb, and to dip a bunch of hyssop
in its blood, sprinkling this blood upon the top and side posts of the door ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the flight from egypt.htm

The Blood
... It was so that night in Egypt. God himself was abroad with his sword; but he spared
them, because he saw the blood-mark on the lintel and on the two sideposts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood.htm

Meditation vi. The Last Pasch.
... Then he went to the door of the room, stained the sideposts and the lock with blood,
and placed the branch which had been dipped in blood above the door. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation vi the last pasch.htm

The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy
... the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.7.
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the passover an expiation and.htm

August 2 Morning
... And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the
upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it, . . . ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 2 morning.htm

Spiritual Meaning of the Passover.
... flesh thus spoken of is that of the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world; and
this is the blood, some of which was to be put on the two side posts of the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/13 spiritual meaning of the.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... The basin filled with blood was taken, and a bunch of hyssop was dipped into it,
and the lintel and the two side-posts of every house tenanted by Israelites ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling.htm

The Rod that Troubled Egypt.
... was killed in each house of the Israelites, and the doors were shut, the Lord passed
through the land, and wherever he saw the blood on the side posts and the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi the rod that.htm

Side-posts (7 Occurrences)
Side-posts. Side-post, Side-posts. Side-roads . Multi-Version
Concordance Side-posts (7 Occurrences). Exodus 12:7 And ...
/s/side-posts.htm - 8k

Oil-tree (5 Occurrences)
... height; (YLT). 1 Kings 6:31 as to the opening of the oracle, he made doors
of the oil-tree; the lintel, side-posts, a fifth. (YLT). 1 ...
/o/oil-tree.htm - 8k

Doorframe (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is
in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side-posts with the blood ...
/d/doorframe.htm - 7k

Opening (242 Occurrences)
... taken a bunch of hyssop, and have dipped 'it' in the blood which 'is' in the basin,
and have struck 'it' on the lintel, and on the two side-posts, from the ...
/o/opening.htm - 37k

Upper (99 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side
posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. ...
/u/upper.htm - 39k

Openings (27 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Kings 7:5 And all the openings and the side-posts 'are' square -- windows;
and sight 'is' over-against sight three times. (YLT). ...
/o/openings.htm - 14k

Layeth (76 Occurrences)
... the middle of the night, and riseth in the middle of the night, and layeth hold
on the doors of the gate of the city, and on the two sideposts, and removeth ...
/l/layeth.htm - 28k

Removeth (27 Occurrences)
... the middle of the night, and riseth in the middle of the night, and layeth hold
on the doors of the gate of the city, and on the two sideposts, and removeth ...
/r/removeth.htm - 14k

Doorframes (2 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two sideposts
and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. ...
/d/doorframes.htm - 7k

Doorway (221 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He
seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the LORD will pass ...
/d/doorway.htm - 35k

What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God have the cherubim guard just the east side of Eden (Genesis 3:24)? | GotQuestions.org

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