Revelation 21:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the city {G4172} lieth {G2749} foursquare {G5068}, and {G2532} the length {G3372}{G846} is {G2076} as large {G5118} as {G3745}{G2532} the breadth {G4114}: and {G2532} he measured {G3354} the city {G4172} with the reed {G2563}{G1909}, twelve {G1427} thousand {G5505} furlongs {G4712}. The length {G3372} and {G2532} the breadth {G4114} and {G2532} the height {G5311} of it {G846} are {G2076} equal {G2470}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The city is laid out in a square, its length equal to its width. With his rod he measured the city at 1,500 miles, with length, width and height the same.

Berean Standard Bible

The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height.

American Standard Version

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 21:16 provides a profound description of the New Jerusalem, the eternal city of God, detailing its immense, perfect, and symmetrical dimensions. John's vision reveals the city as a colossal cube, measuring twelve thousand furlongs in length, breadth, and height, signifying its divine perfection, immeasurable grandeur, and the complete presence of God within it, mirroring the Holy of Holies in its sacred geometry. This precise depiction underscores the ordered, secure, and all-encompassing nature of humanity's eternal dwelling with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of John's vision of the "new heaven and new earth" in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth"), which marks the climax of God's redemptive plan. Following the passing of the old creation and the final judgment, John sees the "holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven" ([Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem Descends")). Before detailing the city's inhabitants and the absence of sorrow and pain, John focuses on the city's physical characteristics, beginning with its foundational structure and dimensions. This section, [Revelation 21:9-27](/revelation/21-9-27 "Revelation 21:9-27 - Description of the New Jerusalem"), meticulously describes the city's walls, gates, foundations, and precious materials, with verse 16 laying out its core geometric form and scale.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of a divinely designed city or sanctuary was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern and Israelite thought. The "foursquare" (cubic) shape immediately evokes the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) in both the [Tabernacle](/exodus/26-33 "Exodus 26:33 - The Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle") and [Solomon's Temple](/1_kings/6-20 "1 Kings 6:20 - The Holy of Holies in Solomon's Temple"), which was a perfect cube. This shape symbolized the concentrated presence of God, holiness, and perfection. The use of "furlongs" (Greek: _stadion_) was a common unit of measurement in the Greco-Roman world, roughly equivalent to 600 feet or 185 meters. The number "twelve" held immense symbolic significance in Jewish tradition, representing divine order, completeness, and the totality of God's people (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles). The multiplication of twelve by a thousand (a number signifying vastness or divine fullness) would have conveyed an idea of immeasurable scale and divine perfection to John's original audience.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 21:16 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Perfection and Completeness**, symbolized by the city's cubic form, which echoes the sacred geometry of the Holy of Holies, indicating God's pervasive presence throughout the entire city. The theme of **Immeasurable Grandeur and Vastness** is conveyed by the city's colossal dimensions, assuring ample room for all of God's redeemed people and reflecting His boundless provision and power, as seen in the promise of a new dwelling for His people in [Isaiah 65:17-19](/isaiah/65-17-19 "Isaiah 65:17-19 - New Heavens and New Earth"). Furthermore, the precise, unchanging dimensions underscore the theme of **Order, Stability, and Security**, portraying the New Jerusalem as an eternal, unshakeable abode, a stark contrast to the fleeting and chaotic kingdoms of this world, aligning with the promise of eternal peace found in [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **foursquare (Greek, _tetrágōnos'_):** Derived from "four" and "angle," this term literally means "four-cornered" or "square." In the context of the New Jerusalem, it signifies perfect symmetry, balance, and completeness. Its application to a three-dimensional object (a cube) emphasizes a state of ideal geometric perfection, mirroring the Holy of Holies.
* **measured (Greek, _metréō'_):** This verb means "to ascertain in size by a fixed standard" or "to allot by rule." John's vision emphasizes that the city's dimensions are not arbitrary but precisely determined by divine standard, indicating intentional design and divine order rather than spontaneous growth. It highlights the meticulous planning of God.
* **equal (Greek, _ísos'_):** Meaning "similar in amount and kind," this word confirms that the city's length, breadth, and height are precisely identical. This equality is crucial for establishing the city's cubic form, which, as noted, carries profound theological significance regarding God's omnipresent holiness and the perfection of the redeemed community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the city lieth foursquare":** This clause introduces the foundational geometric shape of the New Jerusalem. "Lieth" (from _keîmai_) suggests that the city is established, set, or positioned in this form. The term "foursquare" immediately conveys a sense of order, stability, and symmetry, hinting at its sacred nature.
* **"and the length is as large as the breadth":** This specifies the two-dimensional aspect of the city's base, confirming that its footprint is a perfect square. This sets up the expectation of balanced proportions, which is then extended to the third dimension.
* **"and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs":** This part describes the act of measurement by the angel (implied from [Revelation 21:15](/revelation/21-15 "Revelation 21:15 - The Angel Measures the City")) using a "reed" (a common ancient measuring tool). The astounding figure of "twelve thousand furlongs" (approximately 1,500 miles or 2,400 kilometers) reveals the city's incomprehensible scale, far exceeding any earthly metropolis. This vastness signifies God's boundless provision and the capacity for countless inhabitants.
* **"The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal":** This climactic statement confirms the city's three-dimensional form as a perfect cube. This equality across all dimensions is theologically significant, echoing the Holy of Holies and symbolizing the pervasive presence of God, absolute perfection, and the complete sanctification of all within its bounds.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 21:16 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "foursquare" or cubic shape directly symbolizing the Most Holy Place, signifying God's intimate, pervasive, and perfect presence throughout the entire city. The number twelve thousand furlongs is also highly symbolic; "twelve" represents divine governance and the completeness of God's people (Israel and the Church), while "thousand" denotes vastness or divine fullness. Their combination emphasizes the city's immense scale and its perfect, divinely ordered nature. The sheer size described also functions as **Hyperbole**, creating an image of grandeur so immense that it transcends human comprehension, thereby emphasizing divine power and generosity. The detailed description of dimensions and materials throughout [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth") creates vivid **Imagery**, allowing the reader to visualize this glorious, divinely designed eternal dwelling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The description of the New Jerusalem as a perfect cube in Revelation 21:16 is profoundly theological, linking the ultimate dwelling place of God's people to the most sacred space in Old Testament worship: the Holy of Holies. In both the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple, the Holy of Holies was a perfect cube, signifying the concentrated presence and holiness of God. By making the entire New Jerusalem a cube, John's vision indicates that the entire city, and by extension, all of God's redeemed people, will be fully saturated with His presence, holiness, and glory. There will be no outer courts or less holy areas; the entire eternal dwelling will be a sanctuary where God dwells intimately and universally with His people, fulfilling the promise of [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People"). This signifies a restoration not just to Eden, but to an even greater intimacy and perfection of fellowship with God, where His glory fills everything.

* [Exodus 26:33](/exodus/26-33 "Exodus 26:33 - The Veil and the Holy of Holies")
* [1 Kings 6:20](/1_kings/6-20 "1 Kings 6:20 - Dimensions of the Holy of Holies")
* [Ezekiel 48:35](/ezekiel/48-35 "Ezekiel 48:35 - The Lord Is There")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vision of the New Jerusalem's perfect, immeasurable dimensions in Revelation 21:16 offers immense hope and a profound sense of security for believers. It assures us that God's plan for His people is one of ultimate perfection, order, and boundless provision. In a world often characterized by chaos, instability, and scarcity, this vision reminds us that our ultimate home is a place of divine design, where every aspect is meticulously crafted by God Himself. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, not clinging to the temporary structures and achievements of this world, but investing in the spiritual realities that endure. This detailed glimpse into our future dwelling reinforces the trustworthiness of God's promises and His unfathomable love for His church, His bride. It calls us to live lives worthy of such a glorious inheritance, reflecting the holiness and order of our future home in our present walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vision of the New Jerusalem as a perfect cube challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His dwelling with humanity?**
* **What comfort or assurance do you find in the immense, precise, and secure dimensions of the New Jerusalem?**
* **How might living with an "eternal perspective," shaped by this vision, impact your daily decisions and priorities?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the New Jerusalem being "foursquare" and a perfect cube?**

Answer: The "foursquare" description, culminating in the city's equal length, breadth, and height, means the New Jerusalem is a perfect cube. This shape is profoundly symbolic, directly echoing the dimensions of the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) in both the [Tabernacle](/exodus/26 "Exodus 26 - The Tabernacle") and [Solomon's Temple](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon's Temple"). In these Old Testament sanctuaries, the cube symbolized the most sacred space where God's presence dwelt. By making the entire New Jerusalem a cube, the vision signifies that the entire city will be permeated with God's holy presence and glory, making it an ultimate, all-encompassing sanctuary where God dwells intimately and universally with His redeemed people. It represents perfect holiness, completeness, and divine order.

**How large is "twelve thousand furlongs," and what does its size imply?**

Answer: A furlong (Greek: _stadion_) was an ancient unit of measurement, approximately 600 feet or 185 meters. Therefore, twelve thousand furlongs translates to roughly 1,500 miles (or 2,400 kilometers) in each dimension. This immense size is staggering, far exceeding any earthly city. Its colossal scale implies several things: it assures that there will be ample room for all who are saved, emphasizing God's boundless generosity and provision; it highlights the divine majesty and power of God in creating such a dwelling; and it signifies the vastness of God's redeemed community, encompassing people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, as described in [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The New Jerusalem, with its perfect cubic dimensions and immeasurable grandeur, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment as the eternal dwelling place established by and centered on Jesus Christ. He is the architect and builder of this glorious city, as He promised, "I go to prepare a place for you" ([John 14:2](/john/14-2 "John 14:2 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). The city's perfection and holiness are a direct result of Christ's redemptive work, making it possible for sinful humanity to dwell in the unmediated presence of a holy God. The Lamb of God is explicitly stated to be its lamp and its temple ([Revelation 21:22-23](/revelation/21-22-23 "Revelation 21:22-23 - The Lamb is the Temple and Light")), signifying that all its glory, light, and access to God flow directly from Him. The cubic shape, echoing the Holy of Holies, points to Christ as the ultimate High Priest who has opened the way into God's presence, tearing the veil and granting full access to all believers ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, the New Jerusalem is not merely a physical place but a spiritual reality, a perfected communion with God made possible and sustained by the crucified and resurrected Christ, the very foundation and cornerstone of this eternal city ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 48:8

And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand [reeds in] breadth, and [in] length as one of the [other] parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.

Ezekiel 48:20

All the oblation [shall be] five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city.

Ezekiel 48:35

[It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.