the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.
Parallel translations
- WEB and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one.
- KJV And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
- NKJV (the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi;
- NASB shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; and the gate of Levi, one.
- NLT there will be three gates, each one named after a tribe of Israel. The first will be named for Reuben, the second for Judah, and the third for Levi.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The city's gates bear the tribes' names, with three on the north for Reuben, Judah, and Levi. Every tribe, including priestly Levi, has access to the city.
Overview
The gates are named for the tribes of Israel, signaling that the whole covenant people belongs to this city. Levi, set apart for service, is here given a gate like the rest, underscoring full inclusion. The New Testament echoes this imagery in the New Jerusalem, whose twelve gates are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes (Revelation 21:12).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Rev 21:12–13The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.
- Isa 26:1–2In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts.
- Rev 21:25Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, because there will be no night there.
- Rev 21:21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
- Isa 54:12I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
- Isa 60:11Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led in procession.
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Original language
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