Revelation 21:16a
Revelation 21, Page 19

Bible, KJV Translation
21:16  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.

Re-evaluation Translation
21:16  All aspects of Yehuveh’s instruction are equal, each commandment has its own statutes and judgments: the instructed people had twelve mind-establishing truths, with equal values of
commandments, statutes, and wisdom.

Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 21:16 (25 July 2008):  This is the only verse in Revelation which speaks of all three dimensions together, and clearly states that they are all equal. Dimensions denote three distinct aspects of instruction: length represents foundational instruction: Yehuveh’s twelve commandments; breadth represents broadening the understanding of these foundations, providing additional insights, without altering the base: His statutes and sound judgments. And height represents the elevating wisdom to apply this knowledge to life.  [Like swimming lessons, the beginner class teaches the basic strokes, the advanced class further develops them, and the swimmers’ class refines them.] All three of these dimensions must, necessarily, be equal. It would be impossible to explain or apply anything but the foundational commandments!
       
“The city lieth foursquare,” that is, Yehuveh’s people are taught foundational information, commandments, and corresponding broadening information, statutes and sound judgment. Though very distinct, these two forms of instruction must always be equal. Each of Yehuveh’s twelve commandments (Revelation 21:14) has affiliate statutes and sound judgments explaining them and how they are to be lived. None of the commandment are without statutes and judgments, and every statute or judgment attaches to one of the twelve commandments. Thus they are foursquare (all four sides perfectly equal), “the length is as large as the breadth.” Foursquare is from tetragonos [G5068], meaning “quadrangular, square,” and used only here in Revelation. This word states very simply what the phrase “the length is as large as the breadth,” spells out. Lieth is from keimai [G2749], meaning “to lie (things set in place); destined, appointed; of laws laid down.” Keimai is used but twice in Revelation [4:2 (set), 21:16 (lieth)] and indicates being established, settled, appointed. City is discussed by Revelation 11:8. Length is from mekos [G3372], simply meaning “length,” and used only here in Revelation. Breadth, discussed by Revelation 20:9, is used only once there and twice here.
        To illustrate, the sixth command is
“six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work” (Exodus 20:9; Ezekiel 46:1). This commandment is not altered by its companion statutes and judgment, but their brief explanations broaden our understand of the reason for and purpose of this boundary: (1) Yehuveh established the pattern at creation: “For in six days Yehuveh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” Exodus 20:11. (2) This work-rest pattern refreshes family, servants, livestock, and guests alike: “In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou;” “that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.” Deuteronomy 5:14; Exodus 23:12. (3) Regulation of life continues regardless of life’s demands: Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.” Exodus 34:21. (4) Regulated labor is essential to life and prosperity: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” Genesis 3:19; Proverbs 13:4.


Gael Bataman
Originally Written:               25 July 2008
Latest Update:                     25 July 2008


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