Description
Ancient city gates were sometimes constructed with guardrooms on either side of the entrance. These usually came in sets of two, four, or six rooms (see City gate).
Translation
The Hebrew word t’a means simply “chamber,” “room,” “cell,” or “compartment.” The purpose of the room in 1KI 14:28 and 2CH 12:11 is different from that in EZK 40:0. Many languages will need to use two different words or expressions.
1KI 14:28; 2CH 12:11: In these verses t’a refers to a room where valuable objects were kept under guard, although it is possible that the room in question was not actually designed as a treasury. In this context most translations render it “guardroom” (RSV, GNT). NJPSV has “armory of the guards.” GECL avoids a technical term and has “their [bronze shields] place.” This might be expanded to “the place where they were kept” or “the place where they were guarded.”
EZK 40:0: In this chapter the prophet Ezekiel describes the gates of an ideal Temple he saw in a vision. Each gate was constructed as a kind of corridor or covered passageway. On each side of this corridor were three small three-sided rooms (t’a in Hebrew) facing each other. In these rooms sat soldiers who guarded the access to the outer and inner courts of the Temple. Here again, most translations have “guardrooms” (GNT, CEV). Luther (followed by GECL) provides an alternative, translating t’a as “niche.” This may actually be more accurate than “room,” since the area had walls on three sides with the side facing the passageway remaining open, making it more of a “recess” or “alcove.”