Revelation 21:13

On the north . . . on the south--A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "And on the north and on the south." In Ezekiel, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan (for which Manasseh is substituted in Rev 7:6), are on the east (Eze 48:32); Reuben, Judah, Levi, are on the north (Eze 48:31); Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, on the south (Eze 48:33); Gad, Asher, Naphtali, on the west (Eze 48:34). In Numbers, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun are on the east (Num 2:3, Num 2:5, Num 2:7). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, on the south (Num 2:10, Num 2:12, Num 2:14). Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, on the west (Num 2:18, Num 2:20, Num 2:22). Dan, Asher, Naphtali, on the north (Num 2:25, Num 2:27, Num 2:29).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 13. On the east three gates] The city is here represented as standing to the four cardinal points of heaven, and presenting one side to each of these points.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

13. east … north … south … west] The order of enumeration in Numbers is E. S. W. N., in Ezekiel N. E. S. W. in Enoch N. W. S. E., as in each of them the surveyor goes round methodically in order: in this more ecstatic book, the whole is apprehended simultaneously, perhaps rather confusedly.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

On the east three gates,.... On which were written the names of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan:

on the north three gates; on which were written the names of Reuben, Judah, and Levi:

on the south three gates; on which were written the names of Simeon, Issachar, and Zabulon:

and on the west three gates; on which were written the names of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali; see Eze 48:31. This denotes the collection of the saints from all parts of the world, who shall come from east, west, north, and south, and sit down in the kingdom of God; and therefore here are gates at every point to enter in at; see Isa 43:5.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Ver. 13. On the east three gates] The Church is collected and heaven filled from all quarters of the earth. Hence it is by one compared to the Samaritan’s inn (πανδοχειον), because it recciveth and lodgeth all strangers that come. In the synagogue there was not lodging for all; the Ammonites and the Moabites were excluded the congregation of Israel. But Christ was born in an inn, to signify that in his kingdom all may be entertained. He is called the second Adam; the Greek letters of which name (as Cyprian noteth) do severally signify all the quarters of the earth. {a} His garments were divided into four parts, because out of what coast or part soever we come (saith a divine) Christ hath garments to clothe us, and room to receive us. There are those who have observed that the name of God in all the chief languages consisteth of four letters (as יהוה Θεος, Deus, Dieu, Gott, & c.), to intimate that he hath his people in all the four quarters of the earth, out of all countries, nations, and languages.

{a} Α ανατολη, Δ δυσις, Α αρκτος, Μ μεσηυβρια.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

On the east three gates ... - The city was square Rev 21:16, and the same number of gates is assigned to each quarter. There does not appear to be any special significancy in this fact, unless it be to denote that there is access to this city from all quarters of the world, and that they who dwell there will have come from each of the great divisions of the earth - that is, from every land,

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

To signify it was made up of persons from all parts of the world. This agreeth with Ezekiel’s vision, Eze 48:31-34. The triumphant church will be a collection of believers, who from all nations have come into it.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

13. Three gates on each side, always open, with an angel welcomer at each gate for all the rural excursionists to the capital.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. The following are the dispositions of the tribes in the Old Testament:

Order in Nu 2.

East

Judah.

Issachar.

Zebulun.

North

Dan.

Asher.

Naphtali.

South

Reuben.

Simeon.

Gad.

West

Ephraim.

Manasseh.

Benjamin.

Order in Eze 48.

East

Joseph.

Benjamin.

Dan.

North

Reuben.

Judah.

Levi.

South

Simeon.

Issachar.

Zebulon.

West

Gad.

Asher.

Naphtali.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

13. βορρᾶ, νότου, δυσμῶν. A am[827] have βορρᾶ … δυσμῶν … νότου.

[827] Codex Amiatinus 6th century in Laurentian Library at Florence.

13. ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς … ἀπὸ δυσμῶν. The order of enumeration in Numbers is E.S.W.N., in Ezekiel N.E.S.W., in Enoch N.W.S.E., as in each of them the surveyor goes round methodically in order: here the Seer stands as it were on a new Mount of Olives with the east front of the city facing him, its northern and southern fronts to his right and left, while the western battlements bound the view.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

East [ανατολης] . See on Mt 2:2, and on day - spring, Luk 1:78. See the tribes arranged by gates in Eze 48:31 - 34.

West [δυσμων] . Lit., the goings down or settings.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.