21:12a–b

The city had a great and high wall: This wall surrounded the city. In John’s time, a city wall helped protect the city from foreign armies. Here it is probably symbolic to indicate God’s protection for all who live in the city.

with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel: The Greek words are literally “and names having been written on/in, which are the names of the twelve tribes/clans of the sons of Israel.” One name was written on each gate. So in some languages it is more natural to indicate that each gate had one name. For example:

On each gate was written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel

with twelve gates: The names may have been written:

(a) on the gates themselves,

(b) on the stones of the arch that forms the gateway,

(c) on the wall above the gateway.

Translate this phrase so that it allows one or more of the above meanings. For example:

upon the gates
-or-
over the gates (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
over the twelve gateways (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

twelve gates: The Greek word here probably refers to gateways (as in the Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English). The gates themselves are described in 21:21a.

inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel: The Greek words are literally “and names having been written, which are the names of the twelve tribes/clans of Israel.” This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ had inscribed/written the names of the twelve tribes/clans of Israel on the gates
-or-

⌊God⌋ had inscribed/written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel on each gate
-or-
and names were on the gates/gateways, the names of the twelve tribes/clans of Israel
-or-
The names of the twelve tribes/clans of Israel were on the gates/gateways

Your translation should indicate or imply that the names were written. Indicate or imply that people could see the names.

the twelve tribes of Israel: The founder of the Jewish people was Jacob. God gave him the name Israel. Israel had twelve sons. Each of these sons became the head of a family group. Each group used the name of the son who founded that group. Use the usual word for that kind of group. For example:

twelve clans of Israel

21:12c

twelve angels at the gates: One angel stood at each gate.

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