(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;
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 21:12–13having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
- Isa 26:1–2In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.
- Rev 21:25Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),
- Rev 21:21The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent 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 also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.
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Original language
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