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Revelation 21

Rev. 21:12 KJV (With Strong’s)

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12
And
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
te (Greek #5037)
both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532)
KJV usage: also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.
Pronounce: teh
Origin: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition
had
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
a wall
teichos (Greek #5038)
a wall (as formative of a house)
KJV usage: wall.
Pronounce: ti'-khos
Origin: akin to the base of 5088
great
megas (Greek #3173)
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
KJV usage: (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
Pronounce: meg'-as
Origin: (including the prolonged forms, feminine μεγάλη, plural μεγάλοι, etc.; compare also 3176, 3187)
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
high
hupselos (Greek #5308)
lofty (in place or character)
KJV usage: high(-er, -ly) (esteemed).
Pronounce: hoop-say-los'
Origin: from 5311
, and had
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
twelve
dodeka (Greek #1427)
two and ten, i.e. a dozen
KJV usage: twelve.
Pronounce: do'-dek-ah
Origin: from 1417 and 1176
gates
pulon (Greek #4440)
a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule
KJV usage: gate, porch.
Pronounce: poo-lone'
Origin: from 4439
t, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
at
epi (Greek #1909)
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
KJV usage: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ep-ee'
Origin: a primary preposition
the gates
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pulon (Greek #4440)
a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule
KJV usage: gate, porch.
Pronounce: poo-lone'
Origin: from 4439
twelve
dodeka (Greek #1427)
two and ten, i.e. a dozen
KJV usage: twelve.
Pronounce: do'-dek-ah
Origin: from 1417 and 1176
angels
aggelos (Greek #32)
a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
KJV usage: angel, messenger.
Pronounce: ang'-el-os
Origin: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings)
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
names
onoma (Greek #3686)
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
KJV usage: called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
Pronounce: on'-om-ah
Origin: from a presumed derivative of the base of 1097 (compare 3685)
written thereon
epigrapho (Greek #1924)
to inscribe (physically or mentally)
KJV usage: inscription, write in (over, thereon).
Pronounce: ep-ee-graf'-o
Origin: from 1909 and 1125
, which
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
are
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
the names of the twelve
dodeka (Greek #1427)
two and ten, i.e. a dozen
KJV usage: twelve.
Pronounce: do'-dek-ah
Origin: from 1417 and 1176
tribes
phule (Greek #5443)
an offshoot, i.e. race or clan
KJV usage: kindred, tribe.
Pronounce: foo-lay'
Origin: from 5453 (compare 5444)
of the children
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
huios (Greek #5207)
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
KJV usage: child, foal, son.
Pronounce: hwee-os'
Origin: apparently a primary word
of Israel
Israel (Greek #2474)
Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: Israel.
Pronounce: is-rah-ale'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03478)
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t
Ezek. 48:31‑34• 31And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
 32And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
 33And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
 34At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. (Ezek. 48:31‑34)

More on:

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Angels,
Gate,
Israel,
The Twelve Tribes,
Twelve,
Twelve Tribes,
Walls,
Writing

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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a wall.
Rev. 21:17‑20• 17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
 18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
 19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (Rev. 21:17‑20)
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Ezra 9:9• 9For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. (Ezra 9:9)
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Neh. 12:27• 27And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. (Neh. 12:27)
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Psa. 51:18• 18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. (Psa. 51:18)
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Psa. 122:7• 7Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. (Psa. 122:7)
twelve gates.
Rev. 21:21,25• 21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. (Rev. 21:21,25)
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Isa. 54:12• 12And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. (Isa. 54:12)
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Isa. 60:18• 18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (Isa. 60:18)
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Ezek. 48:31‑34• 31And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
 32And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
 33And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
 34At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. (Ezek. 48:31‑34)
twelve angels.
Matt. 18:10• 10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 18:10)
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Luke 15:10• 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)
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Luke 16:22• 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (Luke 16:22)
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Heb. 1:14• 14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Heb. 1:14)
and names.
Rev. 7:4‑8• 4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
 5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
 6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
 7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
 8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. (Rev. 7:4‑8)
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Num. 2:2‑32• 2Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
 3And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
 4And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
 5And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar.
 6And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
 7Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.
 8And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
 9All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
 10On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
 11And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
 12And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
 13And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
 14Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
 15And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
 16All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
 17Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
 18On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
 19And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
 20And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
 21And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
 22Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
 23And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
 24All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
 25The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
 26And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
 27And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.
 28And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
 29Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
 30And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
 31All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.
 32These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. (Num. 2:2‑32)
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Acts 26:7• 7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. (Acts 26:7)
• the church, the Lamb’s wife, is displayed, not in her intimate relationship to Christ as seen in Paul’s epistles, but rather in connection with the government of the earth in the hands of Christ during the thousand years. (article #56798)
• All that God is, and all that God is in display, is the wall round about the New Jerusalem. But, as we may see further on, the wall not only encloses and secures the holy city, but it also excludes all evil (article #56798)
• But God is pleased to remember that He is dealing with people on the earth, and the New Jerusalem has a very special relation to men during the millennium. Accordingly, there are twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written upon them. At the gates stand twelve angels, showing their subordination. (“Revelation 21” by J.N. Darby)
• It is secure, having a wall great and high. (“Revelation 21” by J.N. Darby)
• The twelve gates are full of human perfectness of governmental administrative power. The gate was the place of judgment. Twelve, we have often seen, denotes perfection and governmental power. (“Revelation 21” by J.N. Darby)
• it may be well to call attention to the recurrence of the number twelve in this description. It has the fixed meaning in Scripture of the perfection of governmental administration in man, that is, in Christ, and this in connection with Israel. (“Revelation 21” by J.N. Darby)
• Wall: Security; salvation (Isa. 26:1; 60:18; Zech. 2:5). (“Revelation 21 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• Twelve Gates: Perfect judicial administration. [Twelve is administrative perfection in man.] (Gen. 19:1; Deut. 22:15; Dan. 2:49; Amos 5:15). (“Revelation 21 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• At the Gates Twelve Angels: Providential administration. (“Revelation 21 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• Names of the Twelve Tribes: Direct earthly government, as in Israel. (“Revelation 21 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)

J. N. Darby Translation

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12
having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.

W. Kelly Translation

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12
it hada a wall great and high; it had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angelsb, and names written thereon, which are the namesc of the twelve tribes of thed sons of Israel:

WK Translation Notes

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a
Critics generally adhere to the solecism without the word "te" (also) as read in the best copies, and largely.
b
Lachmann alone of the editors was bold enough to leave out "and at the gates twelve angels." It is a mere omission through similar ending in some copies.
c
Many and ancient copies support the addition of "names" (with or without "the") in the last clause. The T. R. and many Edd. omit them.
d
"The" should vanish before "sons" on good and full authority.

WK Verse Note

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(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)