Revelation 21:14; Twelve Foundations

Revelation 21:14 (KJV)  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

The wall’s twelve foundations constitute one further major feature of the city’s exterior – And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

The substantive “foundations” is an adjective functioning as a noun. Its basic meaning is “foundational”, but “stones” implied by it makes it the equivalent of the noun “foundations.” these foundations of the city wall strongly imply that the city will rest on the new earth and will not be suspended in the air above the earth (Walvoord).

A suggestion has been that the “twelve foundations” compose twelve layers of one foundation that surrounds the whole city (Lee, Smith, Walvoord). Layered foundations are hardly practical, however. Probably each portion of a vast wall joining two gates had a conspicuous basement made of a vast stone (Alford). The foundations were conceivably buttresses rising from an immense subbase. Looking at any of the four sides, John would have seen, in order, corner-base – gate – base – gate – base – gate – corner-base. The twelve foundations bring a recollection of the city with foundations for which Abraham looked (Hebrews 11:10), a city prepared by God for those who died in faith without receiving the promises (Hebrews 11:13-16) (Beckwith).

Hebrews 11:10 (KJV)  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Hebrews 11:13-16 (KJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 464]