Revelation 21:14-12
Bible, KJV Translation:
(Repeating) 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Re-evaluation Translation:
(Repeating) 21:14 The protective structure around Yehuveh’s people is based on twelve foundation principles, defined as the twelve core structures of the Lamb-king.
Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 21:14 continued (20 July 2008): “The wall of the city had twelve foundations,” that is, twelve fundamental principles on which all the rest of the moral code is established. Torah presents these twelve commandments or foundation structures in Exodus 20:3-17 and Deuteronomy 5:7-21.
Explanation and Scriptural foundation of the twelfth:
Structure #12: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife,
nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy
neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21.
Corresponding Quality from Qabbalah, the Tree of Life: self-direction, full development
Companion Statutes and Right-Rulings (judgments) which raise a protective wall on this foundation.
Corresponding Foundation Stone, Tribe, and Sign of Zadok
Significance: Coveting, the intense desire for that which is rightfully the property or jurisdiction of
another, has been the underlying cause of extensive evil. The problem isn’t the intense desire,
craving, yearning for, which can motivate effective industry, but rather lies in the fact that the
object desired is not legitimately obtainable. Therefore, gratifying this “illegitimate” intense
desire can only produce some form of violating behavior—theft, adultery, kidnapping,
manslaughter. Covetousness led Eve to take fruit which Yehuveh had withheld from them
(Genesis 3:6); became the prince of Shechem’s appeal to his fellow townsmen in his efforts to
secure Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, in marriage (Genesis 34:23); drove Achan to bury gold and fine
clothing under his tent and refuse to confess (Joshua 7:21); and moved Saul to openly disregard
Yehuveh’s command to destroy every living thing from the Amelakite camp, and then lie to Samuel
about his treachery (1 Samuel 15:19). By contrast, Abraham openly declined to even appear covetous
of the wealth of Sodom (Genesis 14:23).
Covetousness is an incurable disease: “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor
he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” “They covet fields, and take them by
violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and
his heritage.” Yehuveh would spare us this incredibly unsatisfying way of life and the crime it
promotes. Covetousness can only destroy in every way, heart, mind, and soul! Whether driving
greed, materialism, avariciousness, cupidity, acquisitiveness, gluttony, or any other form of
self-indulgence, covetousness only produces insatiability, and knowing how destructive
unrequited desire can be, Yehuveh hates every form of it: “The wicked boasteth of his heart’s
desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom Yehuveh abhorreth.” Yehuveh appeals for us to trust in His
provisions as the only safeguard against this intense soul-consuming drive. With David we must plead:
“Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.” “He that hateth covetousness
shall prolong his days.” Ecclesiastes 5:10; Micah 2:2 [also see: 1 Kings 21:2-19; Job 31:38;
Psalms 52:1, 7; 62:10; Proverbs 30:15, 16; Ecclesiastes 4:8; 6:7; Isaiah 5:8; Jeremiah 22:17;
Amos 8:4; Habakkuk 2:5-9]; Psalms 10:3; 119:36; Proverbs 28:16.
Intense desire, appropriately directed, is a good quality. It motivates us to success and
ultimately to prosperity. Only when misdirected is intense longing forbidden by Yehuveh, and
that for our own best good. Continued . . .
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 20 July 2008
Latest Update: 5 November 2008
Continue to #12b Return One Page
Return to Zadok Home Page Continue . . . Return to List of 12 Go to Revelation Intro