Vincent Word Studies - Revelation 21:21 - 21:21

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Vincent Word Studies - Revelation 21:21 - 21:21


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Pearls (μαργαρίται)

The pearl seems to have been known from the earliest times to the Asiatic Greeks, in consequence of their intercourse with the Persians. Among the motives which impelled Caesar to attempt the conquest of Britain, was the fame of its pearl-fisheries. Pearls held the highest rank among precious stones. The Latin term unio (unity) was applied to the pearl because no two were found exactly alike; but the word became in time restricted to the fine, spherical pearls, while the generic name was margarita. Shakespeare uses union for pearl in Hamlet, Act v., Sc. 2.

“The king shall drink to Hamlet's better health:

And in the cup an union shall he throw

Richer than that which four successive kings

In Denmark's crown have worn.”

And again:

“Drink of this potion: is thy union here?”

Every several gate (ἀνὰ εἷς ἕκαστος τῶν πυλώνων)

Rev., each one of the several gates, thus bringing out the force of the genitive πυλώνων of gates. The idea several is conveyed by ἀνά, as Luk 9:3, ἀνὰ δύο χιτῶνας “two coats apiece:” Joh 2:6, ἀνὰ μετρητὰξ δύο ἣ τρεῖς “two or three firkins apiece.”

Street (πλατεῖα)

See on Luk 14:21. From πλατύς broad. Hence the broadway.