τετράγωνος

square

Definition

The adjective τετράγωνος (tetragōnos) means 'square' or 'four-cornered,' describing a shape with four equal sides and four right angles. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in Revelation 21:16 to describe the perfect, symmetrical dimensions of the New Jerusalem, which the angel measures as being 'laid out as a square.' This geometric precision conveys the city's divine order, stability, and completeness, contrasting with the irregularity often associated with earthly constructions.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 21:16. It is used in the context of the angelic measurement of the holy city, New Jerusalem, stating its length, width, and height are equal, forming a perfect cube or square. The usage is purely descriptive within a visionary, apocalyptic setting to emphasize the city's ideal and heavenly architecture.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words τέτταρες (tettares, meaning 'four') and γωνία (gōnia, meaning 'angle' or 'corner'). It literally means 'four-angled' or 'having four corners.' This compound formation is straightforward, directly describing a geometric shape, and is related to the English word 'tetragon,' another term for a quadrilateral.

Semantic Range

In Revelation 21:16, the 'square' shape of the New Jerusalem is theologically significant. It symbolizes perfection, divine order, and completeness, echoing the holy of holies in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple (1 Kings 6:20), which was also a cube. This geometric perfection reflects God's flawless, stable, and eternal kingdom, contrasting with the imperfect and transient world. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reader's appreciation of the text's symbolic architecture, pointing to the holiness and immutable nature of God's ultimate dwelling place with humanity.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, geometric perfection, especially the square, was often associated with harmony, balance, and ideal form in architecture and philosophy. For Jewish readers familiar with the Scriptures, a square or cubic shape would specifically recall the Most Holy Place (1 Kings 6:20), the innermost sanctuary of the temple where God's presence dwelt. Thus, the term would carry connotations of sacred space and divine perfection, not merely a neutral geometric description.

κύβος (kubos, G2957) — specifically denotes a cube, a three-dimensional square solid; used in Revelation 21:16 in conjunction with τετράγωνος to describe the city's equal dimensions.

Word Details

Scripture References