From tetra four and gwnia an angle. Only here in the New Testament. For the collective term ciliadev thousands , see on ch. For furlongs see on ch. The twelve- thousand furlongs would be 1378.97 English miles.
Interpretations vary hopelessly.
The description seems to be that of a vast cube, which may have been suggested by the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle , which was of that shape. The former explanation is prompted by the desire to reduce the vast dimensions of the city. Another difficulty is raised about the height. Dusterdieck, for example, maintains that the houses were three- thousand stadia in height. The question arises whether the vertical surface of the cube includes the hill or rock on which the city was placed, a view to which Alford inclines.