On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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,
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
To signify it was made up of persons from all parts of the world. This agreeth with Ezekiels vision, Eze 48:31-34. The triumphant church will be a collection of believers, who from all nations have come into it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. On the north . . . on thesouthA, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read,”And on the north and on the south.“In Ezekiel, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan (for which Manasseh is substitutedin Re 7:6), are on the east (Eze48:32); Reuben, Judah, Levi, are on the north (Eze48:31); Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, on the south (Eze48:33); Gad, Asher, Naphtali, on the west (Eze48:34). In Numbers, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun are on the east(Num 2:3; Num 2:5;Num 2:7). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, onthe 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).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Three gates ( ) on each of the four sides as in Eze 42:16ff.; “on the east” ( , as in 16:12, starting from the east), “on the north” ( , from the north, as in Lu 13:29), “on the south” ( , from the south, as in Lu 13:29), “on the west” ( , from the west, as in Mt 8:11).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
East [] . See on Mt 2:2, and on day – spring, Luk 1:78. See the tribes arranged by gates in Eze 48:31 – 34.
West [] . Lit., the goings down or settings.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “On the east three gates,” (apo anatoles puloones treis) “From the east there were three gates; In Ezekiel’s Day for Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan, one gate each, for their continual entrance, Eze 48:32.
2) “On the north three gates,” (kai apo borra puloones treis) “And from the north there were three gates,” one each for entrance of the tribes of Reuben, Judah, and Levi, Eze 48:31.
3) “On the south three gates,” (kai apo notou puloones treis) “And from the south there were three gates,” one each was for entrance of each of the tribes of Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun, Eze 48:33.
4) “And on the west three gates,” (kai apo dusmon puloones treis) “And from the west there were three gates; one was for entrance of each of the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Napthali, Eze 48:34.
The names of these twelve tribes or elders of Israel seem to have adorned the gates as God’s representatives of Israel’s Universal Divine Government, entering or with entrance to, the Holy City new Jerusalem, which the Bride, the Lamb’s Wife, and from which the twelve apostles sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Luk 22:30; Luk 1:33; Eph 3:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13. Three gates on each side, always open, with an angel welcomer at each gate for all the rural excursionists to the capital.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
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 ( ), 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 , 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 , , , .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
On. Greek. apo. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 48:31-34
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 21:13. The distribution of the gates follows in this verse.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Evidently geographical directions will exist in the new creation as they do in the old, suggesting that space will exist throughout eternity as well as time (cf. Rev 20:10). Which names will be on which gate-towers remains to be seen. The placement of the tribes around the tabernacle in the wilderness and the gates in the millennial temple do not necessarily provide this information.