Revelation 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
3 of 36
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
of it
G846
αὐτῆς
of it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 36
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
τοσοῦτόν
as large
G5118
τοσοῦτόν
as large
Strong's:
G5118
Word #:
10 of 36
apparently from g3588 and g3739) and g3778 (including its variations); so vast as this, i.e., such (in quantity, amount, number of space)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐμέτρησεν
he measured
G3354
ἐμέτρησεν
he measured
Strong's:
G3354
Word #:
17 of 36
to measure (i.e., ascertain in size by a fixed standard); by implication, to admeasure (i.e., allot by rule)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
19 of 36
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλάμῳ
with the reed
G2563
καλάμῳ
with the reed
Strong's:
G2563
Word #:
21 of 36
a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen
ἐπὶ
G1909
ἐπὶ
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
22 of 36
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
σταδίων
furlongs
G4712
σταδίων
furlongs
Strong's:
G4712
Word #:
23 of 36
a stade or certain measure of distance; by implication, a stadium or race-course
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
31 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὕψος
the height
G5311
ὕψος
the height
Strong's:
G5311
Word #:
33 of 36
elevation, i.e., (abstractly) altitude, (specially), the sky, or (figuratively) dignity
Historical Context
The Holy of Holies was the innermost sanctum where God's presence dwelt, accessible only to the high priest once yearly. Its cubic shape symbolized perfection and divine presence. This vision declares that the new creation is entirely holy—all believers have unrestricted access to God's presence. The measurements' symbolic nature (not literal architecture) communicated spiritual realities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the cubic shape (like the Holy of Holies) illustrate that all believers now have direct access to God's presence?
- What does the enormous size teach about God's abundant provision for all the redeemed—is there any shortage in His kingdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The city's cubic shape (length, breadth, height equal at 12,000 furlongs/stadia) echoes the Holy of Holies' cubic form (1 Kings 6:20), but magnified to contain the entire redeemed community. The number 12,000 (12 × 1,000) symbolizes completeness—12 tribes, 12 apostles, multiplied by 1,000 (fullness). Reformed theology sees the cube as representing perfect holiness—the entire city is now God's dwelling, not confined to a temple's inner sanctum. The enormous dimensions (about 1,400 miles) emphasize abundant space for all the redeemed. God's dwelling with humanity is now unrestricted and comprehensive.