There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west.
Parallel translations
- WEB On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
- KJV On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
- NKJV three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
- NASB There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
- NLT There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.
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
Three gates face each direction, north, south, east, and west. The city is open to people coming from every direction.
Overview
The symmetrical arrangement of gates echoes the layout of Israel's encampment and Ezekiel's visionary city (Ezekiel 48). Gates on every side picture access for the redeemed gathered from all nations (cf. v. 24; Luke 13:29). It conveys both perfect order and the welcoming breadth of God's saving purpose.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Ezek 48:31–34the 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.
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Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
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Original language
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