Revelation 21:13; On the East Three Gates

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Revelation 21:13 (KJV)  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 

The four directions indicated in v13 show that in the new creation directions as known in the old creation will still exist – On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 

The “on” in each of the four usages in v13 signifies the friction from which the seer views the city (Beckwith). So, “on the east” designates the “three gates” facing the easterly direction. If this follows the pattern of Ezekiel 48:32, these three tribes are Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan.

Ezekiel 48:23 (KJV)  As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion. 

But the order of encampment in Numbers 2:3-7 is different, with Judah, Issachar and Zebulun having their standards in the east (Alford, Lee, Smith).

Numbers 2:3-7 (KJV) And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.

The sequence of directions in Numbers 2:3 is east, south, west and north. That in Ezekiel’s city is north, east, south, and west. John follows the order east, north, south, and west as found in Ezekiel 42:16-19 (Swete, Bullinger).

Ezekiel 42:16-19 (KJV)  He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 463]