King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The wall was made of diamond and the city of pure gold resembling pure glass.
Berean Standard Bible:
The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass.
American Standard Version:
And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} the building{G1739} of the wall{G5038} of it{G846} was{G2258} of jasper{G2393}: and{G2532} the city{G4172} was pure{G2513} gold{G5553}, like{G3664} unto clear{G2513} glass{G5194}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 21:11
- Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Revelation 21:21
- And 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.
Revelation 21:19
- And 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;
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Commentary for Revelation 21:18
Revelation 21:18 is a verse from the New Testament book of Revelation, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, which describes a vision of the end times and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. The verse is part of a broader passage detailing the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which is depicted as descending from God to the new earth.
In this particular verse, the focus is on the materials used in the construction of the city's wall, described as being made of jasper and the city itself as being made of pure gold, likened to clear glass. This imagery is rich with symbolic meaning. Jasper, in the biblical context, often symbolizes beauty and splendor, and its use here suggests the glory and magnificence of the heavenly city. Gold, frequently associated with purity, divine nature, and value in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, is used to convey the city's perfection and holiness. The comparison of the gold to clear glass emphasizes the idea of purity and transparency, suggesting that the city is free from any form of defilement or corruption.
Historically, the book of Revelation is believed to have been written during a time of persecution for the early Christian church, possibly under the reign of Emperor Domitian in the late first century. The vivid and symbolic language of the text would have provided comfort and hope to early Christians facing trials and tribulations, reassuring them of their future eternal home with God, which stands in stark contrast to the impermanence and imperfection of their current earthly lives.
The themes of Revelation 21:18 include the promise of a future eternal dwelling place for the redeemed, the beauty and perfection of God's kingdom, and the assurance of a reality where God's presence dispels all impurity and sorrow. The verse reflects the ultimate hope for believers, the culmination of God's redemptive plan, and the promise of a renewed creation where God will dwell among His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1739
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐνδόμησις
Transliteration: endómēsis
Pronunciation: en-dom'-ay-sis
Description: from a compound of ἐν and a derivative of the base of δῆμος; a housing in (residence), i.e. structure:--building. - Strong's Number: G5038
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τεῖχος
Transliteration: teîchos
Pronunciation: ti'-khos
Description: akin to the base of τίκτω; a wall (as formative of a house):--wall. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G2393
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἴασπις
Transliteration: íaspis
Pronunciation: ee'-as-pis
Description: probably of foreign origin (see יָשְׁפֵה); "jasper", a gem:--jasper. - Strong's Number: G4172
There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πόλις
Transliteration: pólis
Pronunciation: pol'-is
Description: probably from the same as πόλεμος, or perhaps from πολύς; a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city. - Strong's Number: G2513
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καθαρός
Transliteration: katharós
Pronunciation: kath-ar-os'
Description: of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively):--clean, clear, pure. - Strong's Number: G5553
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρυσίον
Transliteration: chrysíon
Pronunciation: khroo-see'-on
Description: diminutive of χρυσός; a golden article, i.e. gold plating, ornament, or coin:--gold. - Strong's Number: G3664
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅμοιος
Transliteration: hómoios
Pronunciation: hom'-oy-os
Description: from the base of ὁμοῦ; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner. - Strong's Number: G5194
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὕαλος
Transliteration: hýalos
Pronunciation: hoo'-al-os
Description: perhaps from the same as ὑετός (as being transparent like rain); glass:--glass.