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Revelation 21

Rev. 21:21 KJV (With Strong’s)

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21
And
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the twelve
dodeka (Greek #1427)
two and ten, i.e. a dozen
KJV usage: twelve.
Pronounce: do'-dek-ah
Origin: from 1417 and 1176
gates
pulon (Greek #4440)
a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule
KJV usage: gate, porch.
Pronounce: poo-lone'
Origin: from 4439
were twelve
dodeka (Greek #1427)
two and ten, i.e. a dozen
KJV usage: twelve.
Pronounce: do'-dek-ah
Origin: from 1417 and 1176
pearls
margarites (Greek #3135)
a pearl
KJV usage: pearl.
Pronounce: mar-gar-ee'-tace
Origin: from μάργαρος (a pearl-oyster)
; every
hekastos (Greek #1538)
each or every
KJV usage: any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly.
Pronounce: hek'-as-tos
Origin: as if a superlative of ἕκας (afar)
several
heis (Greek #1520)
a primary numeral; one
KJV usage: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also 1527, 3367, 3391, 3762.
Pronounce: hice
Origin: (including the neuter (etc.) ἕν)
ana (Greek #303)
properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.)
KJV usage: and, apiece, by, each, every (man), in, through. In compounds (as a prefix) it often means (by implication) repetition, intensity, reversal, etc.
Pronounce: an-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition and adverb
gate
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pulon (Greek #4440)
a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule
KJV usage: gate, porch.
Pronounce: poo-lone'
Origin: from 4439
was
en (Greek #2258)
I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
KJV usage: + agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
Pronounce: ane
Origin: imperfect of 1510
of
ek (Greek #1537)
or ἐξ (ex) a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV usage: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Pronounce: ek
one
heis (Greek #1520)
a primary numeral; one
KJV usage: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also 1527, 3367, 3391, 3762.
Pronounce: hice
Origin: (including the neuter (etc.) ἕν)
pearl
margarites (Greek #3135)
a pearl
KJV usage: pearl.
Pronounce: mar-gar-ee'-tace
Origin: from μάργαρος (a pearl-oyster)
: and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the street
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
plateia (Greek #4113)
a wide "plat" or "place", i.e. open square
KJV usage: street.
Pronounce: plat-i'-ah
Origin: feminine of 4116
of the city
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
polis (Greek #4172)
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
KJV usage: city.
Pronounce: pol'-is
Origin: probably from the same as 4171, or perhaps from 4183
was pure
katharos (Greek #2513)
clean (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: clean, clear, pure.
Pronounce: kath-ar-os'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
gold
chrusion (Greek #5553)
a golden article, i.e. gold plating, ornament, or coin
KJV usage: gold.
Pronounce: khroo-see'-on
Origin: diminutive of 5557
, as it were
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
transparent
diaphanes (Greek #1307)
appearing through, i.e. "diaphanous"
KJV usage: transparent .
Pronounce: dee-af-an-ace'
Origin: from 1223 and 5316
glass
hualos (Greek #5194)
glass
KJV usage: glass.
Pronounce: hoo'-al-os
Origin: perhaps from the same as 5205 (as being transparent like rain)
.

More on:

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Gate,
Glass; Looking Glass,
Gold,
Pearl,
Twelve

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the twelve.
Rev. 21:12• 12having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. (Rev. 21:12)
;
Rev. 17:4• 4And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and had ornaments of gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and the unclean things of her fornication; (Rev. 17:4)
;
Matt. 13:45‑46• 45Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls;
 46and having found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all whatever he had and bought it. (Matt. 13:45‑46)
every several.This may denote, that every thing will be superlatively glorious, beyond all comparison with any thing ever seen on earth.pure.
Rev. 21:18• 18And the building of its wall was jasper; and the city pure gold, like pure glass: (Rev. 21:18)
;
Rev. 17:4• 4And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and had ornaments of gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and the unclean things of her fornication; (Rev. 17:4)
;
Rev. 18:16• 16saying, Woe, woe, the great city, which was clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and had ornaments of gold and precious stones and pearls! (Rev. 18:16)
;
Rev. 22:2• 2In the midst of its street, and of the river, on this side and on that side, the tree of life, producing twelve fruits, in each month yielding its fruit; and the leaves of the tree for healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:2)
;
1 Kings 6:20• 20And the oracle within was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof; and he overlaid it with pure gold; and he overlaid the cedar-wood altar-- (1 Kings 6:20)
;
Isa. 60:17‑18• 17For bronze I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood bronze, and for stones iron; and I will make thine officers peace, and thy rulers righteousness.
 18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (Isa. 60:17‑18)
as it.
Rev. 21:11,18• 11having the glory of God. Her shining was like a most precious stone, as a crystal-like jasper stone;
 18And the building of its wall was jasper; and the city pure gold, like pure glass: (Rev. 21:11,18)
• Here the beauty of the church is set forth by a supernatural imagery: each one of the gates was made out of one pearl. They are symbols which set forth the perfect and divine beauty that God will put upon His people. This is already true of them in Christ, but actually and personally will they thus shine in that day. Each gate being of one pearl would show I suppose, the special likeness of Christ and fellowship with Christ, which God will grant to His people — to the church. [See Matt. 13] (“Lectures on Revelation 21: Part 2” by W. Kelly)
• So here, the spotless pearl, the perfection of moral beauty that had been so precious in the eyes of Christ, is the figure of what, even at the entrance, will appear in the eyes of men and angels. (“Lectures on Revelation 21: Part 2” by W. Kelly)
• That on which men walked, instead of bringing danger of defilement, was itself righteous and holy; the streets, all that men came in contact with, were righteousness and holiness- gold transparent as glass. (“Revelation 21” by J.N. Darby)
• Pearl: Christ’s estimate of the beauty and comeliness of the bride; seen externally by men and angels (Matt. 13:45-46). (“Revelation 21 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)

J. N. Darby Translation

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21
And the twelve gates, twelve pearls; each one of the gates, respectively, was of one pearl; and the street of the city pure gold, as transparent glass.

W. Kelly Translation

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21
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates severally was of one pearla: and the street of the city pure gold as transparent glass.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Some have adduced this is a "false translation," saying "A pearl, whether we consider the rotundity of the figure, or the softness of its mass, is very ill-qualified to become the gate of a city, even if that city exists only in poetical description." But we answer, what if it be morally didactic in a symbolic prophecy. It can plainly be seen how definite is the Seer’s description of the various precious stones, and the spiritual man will feel the blank created by the absence of the "pearl."

WK Verse Note

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(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)