KJV: And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
YLT: and the city lieth square, and the length of it is as great as the breadth; and he did measure the city with the reed -- furlongs twelve thousand; the length, and the breadth, and the height, of it are equal;
Darby: And the city lies four-square, and its length is as much as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand stadia: the length and the breadth and height of it are equal.
ASV: And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.
| πόλις | city |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: πόλις Sense: a city. |
|
| τετράγωνος | foursquare |
|
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: τετράγωνος Sense: quadrangular, square. |
|
| κεῖται | lies |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: κεῖμαι Sense: to lie. |
|
| μῆκος | length |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: μῆκος Sense: length. |
|
| αὐτῆς | of it [is] |
|
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
|
| ὅσον | the same as |
|
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: ὅσος Sense: as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever. |
|
| [καὶ] | also |
|
Parse: Conjunction Root: καί Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but. |
|
| πλάτος | width |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: πλάτος Sense: breadth. |
|
| ἐμέτρησεν | he measured |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: μετρέω Sense: to measure, to measure out or off. |
|
| πόλιν | city |
|
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: πόλις Sense: a city. |
|
| τῷ | with the |
|
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
|
| καλάμῳ | reed |
|
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: κάλαμος Sense: a reed. |
|
| ἐπὶ | at |
|
Parse: Preposition Root: ἐπί Sense: upon, on, at, by, before. |
|
| σταδίων | stadia |
|
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: στάδιον Sense: a space or distance of about 600 feet (85 m). |
|
| δώδεκα | twelve |
|
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: δώδεκα Sense: twelve. |
|
| χιλιάδων | thousand |
|
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural Root: χιλιάς Sense: a thousand, the number one thousand. |
|
| πλάτος | breadth |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: πλάτος Sense: breadth. |
|
| ὕψος | height |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: ὕψος Sense: height. |
|
| αὐτῆς | of it |
|
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
|
| ἴσα | equal |
|
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: ἴσος Sense: equal, in quantity or quality. |
|
Greek Commentary for Revelation 21:16
Present middle indicative of κειμαι keimai The predicate adjective is from τετρα tetra (Aeolic for τεσσαρες tessares four) and γωνος gōnos (γωνια gōnia corner, Matthew 6:5) here only in N.T. As in Ezekiel 48:16, Ezekiel 48:20. It is a tetragon or quadrilateral quadrangle (Revelation 21:12.). [source]
It is rectangular, both walls and city within. Babylon, according to Herodotus, was a square, each side being 120 stadia. Diodorus Siculus says that Nineveh was also foursquare.With the reed (τωι καλαμωι tōi kalamōi). Instrumental case (cf. Revelation 21:15 for καλαμος kalamos) and for μετρεω metreō (aorist active indicative here)Twelve thousand furlongs This use of the genitive σταδιων stadiōn with επι epi is probably correct (reading of Aleph P), though A Q have σταδιους stadious (more usual, but confusing here with χιλιαδων chiliadōn). Thucydides and Xenophon use επι epi with the genitive in a like idiom (in the matter of). It is not clear whether the 1500 miles (12,000 furlongs) is the measurement of each of the four sides or the sum total. Some of the rabbis argued that the walls of the New Jerusalem of Ezekiel would reach to Damascus and the height would be 1500 miles high.Equal (ισα isa). That is, it is a perfect cube like the Holy of Holies in Solomon‘s temple (1 Kings 6:19.). This same measurement (πλατοσ μηκοσ υπσος platosβατος mēkoshupsos) is applied to Christ‘s love in Ephesians 3:18, with bathos (depth) added. It is useless to try to reduce the measurements or to put literal interpretations upon this highly wrought symbolic language. Surely the meaning is that heaven will be large enough for all, as Jesus said (John 14:1.) without insisting on the materialistic measurement of a gorgeous apartment house full of inside rooms. [source]
Instrumental case (cf. Revelation 21:15 for καλαμος kalamos) and for μετρεω metreō (aorist active indicative here) [source]
This use of the genitive σταδιων stadiōn with επι epi is probably correct (reading of Aleph P), though A Q have σταδιους stadious (more usual, but confusing here with χιλιαδων chiliadōn). Thucydides and Xenophon use επι epi with the genitive in a like idiom (in the matter of). It is not clear whether the 1500 miles (12,000 furlongs) is the measurement of each of the four sides or the sum total. Some of the rabbis argued that the walls of the New Jerusalem of Ezekiel would reach to Damascus and the height would be 1500 miles high.Equal (ισα isa). That is, it is a perfect cube like the Holy of Holies in Solomon‘s temple (1 Kings 6:19.). This same measurement (πλατοσ μηκοσ υπσος platosβατος mēkoshupsos) is applied to Christ‘s love in Ephesians 3:18, with bathos (depth) added. It is useless to try to reduce the measurements or to put literal interpretations upon this highly wrought symbolic language. Surely the meaning is that heaven will be large enough for all, as Jesus said (John 14:1.) without insisting on the materialistic measurement of a gorgeous apartment house full of inside rooms. [source]
That is, it is a perfect cube like the Holy of Holies in Solomon‘s temple (1 Kings 6:19.). This same measurement (πλατοσ μηκοσ υπσος platosβατος mēkoshupsos) is applied to Christ‘s love in Ephesians 3:18, with bathos (depth) added. It is useless to try to reduce the measurements or to put literal interpretations upon this highly wrought symbolic language. Surely the meaning is that heaven will be large enough for all, as Jesus said (John 14:1.) without insisting on the materialistic measurement of a gorgeous apartment house full of inside rooms. [source]
From τέτρα fourand γωνία anangle. Only here in the New Testament. Compare Ezekiel 48:16, Ezekiel 48:20. Twelve-thousand furlongs ( ἐπὶ σταδίων δώδεκα χιλιάδων ). Strictly, to the length of ( ἐπί ) twelve, etc. For the collective term χιλιάδες thousandssee on Revelation 5:11. For furlongs see on Revelation 14:20. The twelve-thousand furlongs would be 1378.97 English miles. Interpretations vary hopelessly. The description seems to be that of a vast cube, which may have been suggested by the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle, which was of that shape. But opinions differ as to whether the twelve thousand furlongs are the measure of the four sides of the city taken together, in which case each side will measure three thousand furlongs; or whether the twelve-thousand furlongs are intended to represent the length of each side. The former explanation is prompted by the desire to reduce the vast dimensions of the city. Another difficulty is raised about the height. Düsterdieck, for example, maintains that the houses were three-thousand stadia in height. The question arises whether the vertical surface of the cube includes the hill or rock on which the city was placed, a view to which Alford inclines. These are enough to show how utterly futile are attempts to reduce these symbolic visions to mathematical statement. Professor Milligan aptly remarks: “Nor is it of the smallest moment to reduce the enormous dimensions spoken of. No reduction brings them within the bounds of verisimilitude; and no effort in that direction is required. The idea is alone to be thought of.” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 21:16
Predicate accusative with ηγησατο hēgēsato Originally words in μος ̇mos signified the act, not the result The few examples of αρπαγμος harpagmos (Plutarch, etc.) allow it to be understood as equivalent to αρπαγμα harpagma like βαπτισμος baptismos and βαπτισμα baptisma That is to say Paul means a prize to be held on to rather than something to be won (“robbery”). To be on an equality with God (το ειναι ισα τεοι to einai isa theoi). Accusative articular infinitive object of ηγησατο hēgēsato “the being equal with God” (associative instrumental case τεωι theōi after ισα isa). Ισα Isa is adverbial use of neuter plural with ειναι einai as in Revelation 21:16. Emptied himself First aorist active indicative of κενοω kenoō old verb from κενος kenos empty. Of what did Christ empty himself? Not of his divine nature. That was impossible. He continued to be the Son of God. There has arisen a great controversy on this word, a Κενοσις Kenosis doctrine. Undoubtedly Christ gave up his environment of glory. He took upon himself limitations of place (space) and of knowledge and of power, though still on earth retaining more of these than any mere man. It is here that men should show restraint and modesty, though it is hard to believe that Jesus limited himself by error of knowledge and certainly not by error of conduct. He was without sin, though tempted as we are. “He stripped himself of the insignia of majesty” (Lightfoot). [source]
Accusative articular infinitive object of ηγησατο hēgēsato “the being equal with God” (associative instrumental case τεωι theōi after ισα isa). Ισα Isa is adverbial use of neuter plural with ειναι einai as in Revelation 21:16. [source]
Χιλιάς , a collective term like, μυριάς , meaning the number one thousand, is almost invariably used with men in Revelation. See Revelation 7:4; Revelation 11:13. Only once with a material object (Revelation 21:16). With inferior objects χίλιοι athousand is used. See Revelation 11:3; Revelation 12:6. These words are the theme of Alford's noble hymn - “Ten thousand times ten thousandIn sparkling raiment bright, The armies of the ransomed saints-DIVIDER- Throng up the steeps of light:-DIVIDER- 'Tis finished, all is finished,-DIVIDER- Their fight with death and sin;-DIVIDER- Fling open wide the golden gates,And let the victors in.” [source]
The word originally means that part of the arm between the hand and the elbow-joint, the forearm. Hence a cubit or ell, a measure of the distance from the joint of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, i.e., about a foot and a half. The precise length, however, is disputed. Cubit is from the Latin cubitus the elbow, on which one reclines (cubat ). Some take the one hundred and forty-four cubits as representing the height of the wall; others the thickness. If the height, then they must be interpreted as equal to the twelve thousand furlongs, since the length and the breadth and the height of the city are equal (Revelation 21:16). It is to be noted, however, that there is a distinction between the measure of the city and the measure of the wall. “The most inconsiderable wall” remarks Düsterdieck, “is sufficient to exclude all that is impure.” [source]
Πλατος Platos is old word, in N.T. only here, Revelation 21:16; Ephesians 3:18. The hosts of Satan spread over the earth.Compassed (εκυκλευσαν ekukleusan). First aorist (prophetic) active indicative of κυκλευω kukleuō to encircle, late verb (Strabo) from κυκλος kuklos (circle), in N.T. only here and margin in John 10:24 (for εκυκλωσαν ekuklōsan from κυκλοω kukloō).The camp of the saints Παρεμβολη Parembolē Perfect passive participle of καταβαινω agapaō “the city the beloved.” See Psalm 78:68; Psalm 87:2 for Jerusalem so described. So Charles takes it here, but Swete holds it to be “the Church the New Zion” that is meant.And fire came down out of heaven Second aorist (prophetic) active indicative of κατεστιω katabainō Cf. Genesis 19:24; Genesis 39:6; Ezekiel 38:22; 2 Kings 1:10, 2 Kings 1:12; Luke 9:54 (about John).Devoured them (katephagen autous). Second aorist (prophetic) active of katesthiō to eat up (down). Vivid climax to this last great battle with Satan. [source]
“Temple I did not see in it.” The whole city is a temple in one sense (Revelation 21:16), but it is something more than a temple even with its sanctuary and Shekinah Glory in the Holy of Holies. [source]