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Revelation 21

Revelation 21:17

The New Jerusalem · Revelation 21:9–27
Read Revelation 21

Translations

Modern
And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits, by the human measure the angel was using.
Traditional
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
Literal
And he measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits, the measure of man, that is, of the angel.
Latin
Et mensus est murum ejus centum quadraginta quatuor cubitorum, mensura hominis, quæ est angeli.

Original

Greek
English
And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits, by the human measure the angel was using.

Notes

Revelation 21:17

In the ancient world, walls were important for a city's defense, boundaries, and status. These walls, 65.8 meters thick (Greek 144 cubits), show the strength of God's redeemed people. The measurement of 144 cubits uses a multiple of 12 to symbolize God's people. A cubit was the length of a man's forearm, typically about 45.8 centimeters.

Revelation 21:15–17

measure the city: Measuring sets accepted boundaries. This contrasts with the unmeasured section of the temple (see Revelation 11:2 and Ezekiel 40:3–42:20).

Revelation 21:1–22:9

The final scenes of the new heaven and earth show a new community and home for God's people, created and given by God. These scenes uplift persecuted Christians. John shares his main vision (Revelation 21:1–8) and expands on it in two parts:

  1. In Revelation 21:9–27, he describes the new Jerusalem as a place of holy perfection;

  2. in Revelation 22:1–5, he portrays the new Jerusalem as the ultimate garden of Eden, which Adam and Eve could have experienced if they had not sinned.

Measurements

  • 144 cubits: About 216 ft (65.8 m)

Glossary

Abomination Beauty Book of Revelation Bride of Christ Heaven Jasper Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Land Millennium New Creation, New Creature New Jerusalem Temple Worship

Topics

Cubit: A Measure of Distance of the Cities Walls of the New Jerusalem Select Readings: The New Heaven and the New Earth