Revelation 21:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#3
πόλιν
G4172
the city
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
#4
τετράγωνος
G5068
foursquare
four-cornered, i.e., square
#5
κεῖται
G2749
lieth
to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively)
#6
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#7
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
μῆκος
G3372
The length
length (literally or figuratively) length
#9
αὐτῆς
G846
of it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#10
τοσοῦτόν
G5118
as large
apparently from g3588 and g3739) and g3778 (including its variations); so vast as this, i.e., such (in quantity, amount, number of space)
#11
ἐστιν
G2076
are
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#12
ὅσον
G3745
as
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
#13
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
πλάτος
G4114
the breadth
width
#16
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
ἐμέτρησεν
G3354
he measured
to measure (i.e., ascertain in size by a fixed standard); by implication, to admeasure (i.e., allot by rule)
#18
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
πόλιν
G4172
the city
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
#20
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
καλάμῳ
G2563
with the reed
a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen
#22
ἐπὶ
G1909
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#23
σταδίων
G4712
furlongs
a stade or certain measure of distance; by implication, a stadium or race-course
#24
δώδεκα
G1427
twelve
two and ten, i.e., a dozen
#25
χιλιάδων
G5505
thousand
one thousand ("chiliad")
#26
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
μῆκος
G3372
The length
length (literally or figuratively) length
#28
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#29
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#30
πλάτος
G4114
the breadth
width
#31
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#32
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#33
ὕψος
G5311
the height
elevation, i.e., (abstractly) altitude, (specially), the sky, or (figuratively) dignity
#34
αὐτῆς
G846
of it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#35
ἴσα
G2470
equal
similar (in amount and kind)
#36
ἐστιν
G2076
are
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Revelation. The concept of divine revelation reflects the ultimate establishment of divine rule over creation. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to apocalyptic literature revealing God's ultimate victory, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within imperial persecution under Domitian's demand for emperor worship. The author writes to address persecuted Christians in Asia Minor facing pressure to compromise, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection