SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:16
Y la ciudad est situada y puesta cuadrangular, y su largura es tanta como su anchura. Y l midi la Ciudad con la caa de oro, doce mil estadios; y la largura y la altura y la anchura de ella son iguales.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 21:16
Verse 16. The city lieth foursquare] Each side was equal, consequently the length and breadth were equal; and its height is here said to be equal to its length. It is hard to say how this should be understood. It cannot mean the height of the buildings, nor of the walls, for neither houses nor walls could be twelve thousand furlongs in height; some think this means the distance from the plain country to the place where the city stood. But what need is there of attempting to determine such measures in such a visionary representation? The quadrangular form intimates its perfection and stability, for the square figure was a figure of perfection among the Greeks; antr tetragwnov, the square or cubical man, was, with them, a man of unsullied integrity, perfect in all things.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. And the city lieth four square , etc.] To the four corners of the world, from whence its inhabitants come, and denotes the regularity, uniformity, perfection, and immovableness of it. And the length is as large as the breadth ; this church state will be all of a piece, perfect, entire, and wanting nothing. And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs ; or fifteen hundred miles; a monstrously large city indeed! such an one as never was upon earth; (see Ezekiel 48:35) and which shows, that this is not to be understood literally, but mystically; and intends the capaciousness of it, here being room enough for all the twelve tribes of Israel; that is, for all the elect of God; for as in Christ's Father's house, so in this kingdom state of his, there will be many mansions, or dwelling places, enough for all his people. This city will hold them all. The Jews say of Jerusalem, that in time to come it shall be so enlarged, as to reach to the gates of Damascus, yea, to the throne of glory. The length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal . A perfectly uniform state! according to the Ethiopic version, it is in length twelve thousand furlongs, and every measure equal, so that it is so many furlongs in length, breadth, and height.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-21 - God has various employments for his holy angels. Sometimes they soun the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world; sometime they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heave as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith. The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its lustre; glorious in relation to Christ; which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformit to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we ar only to take general ideas from this description. The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separate and secured from all evils and enemies. This city is vast; here is roo for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise an power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. These foundations are set fort by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellenc of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven has gates there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall no find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the cit was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gol under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 η 3588 πολις 4172 τετραγωνος 5068 κειται 2749 5736 και 2532 το 3588 μηκος 3372 αυτης 846 τοσουτον 5118 εστιν 2076 5748 οσον 3745 και 2532 το 3588 πλατος 4114 και 2532 εμετρησεν 3354 5656 την 3588 πολιν 4172 τω 3588 καλαμω 2563 επι 1909 σταδιων 4712 δωδεκα 1427 χιλιαδων 5505 το 3588 μηκος 3372 και 2532 το 3588 πλατος 4114 και 2532 το 3588 υψος 5311 αυτης 846 ισα 2470 εστιν 2076 5748
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. Four square (tetragwnov). From tetra four and gwnia an angle. Only here in the New Testament. Compare Ezek. xlviii. 16, 20.
Twelve-thousand furlongs (epi stadiwn dwdeka ciliadwn).
Strictly, to the length of (epi) twelve, etc. For the collective term ciliadev thousands, see on ch. v. 11. For furlongs see on ch. xv. 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. 83 But opinions differ as to whether the twelve thousand furlongs are the measure of the four sides of the city taken together, in which ease 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. Dusterdieck, 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."
