The term "four-square" is used in the Bible to describe something that is perfectly symmetrical and balanced, often symbolizing completeness and stability. This concept appears in various contexts, particularly in the descriptions of sacred spaces and objects, reflecting divine order and perfection.

Biblical References:

1. The Altar of Burnt Offering: In the construction of the Tabernacle, the altar of burnt offering is described as being four-square. Exodus 27:1 states, "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar is to be square—and three cubits high." This design emphasizes the altar's stability and the completeness of the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites.

2. The Breastpiece of Judgment: The breastpiece worn by the High Priest is also described as four-square. Exodus 28:16 notes, "It must be square when folded over, a span long and a span wide." This breastpiece, adorned with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizes the comprehensive and balanced judgment of God.

3. The New Jerusalem: In the vision of the New Jerusalem, the city is described as four-square, highlighting its perfection and divine origin. Revelation 21:16 states, "The city lies foursquare, with its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with the rod: 12,000 stadia in length and width and height are equal." This imagery conveys the idea of a perfect, eternal dwelling place for God's people.

Symbolic Significance:

The use of "four-square" in these contexts underscores the biblical theme of divine order and perfection. The symmetry and balance inherent in a four-square design reflect God's nature as orderly and just. In the Tabernacle and Temple, these dimensions serve as a reminder of God's holiness and the completeness of His covenant with Israel.

In eschatological visions, such as the New Jerusalem, the four-square design represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, where His people will dwell in a perfectly ordered and harmonious relationship with Him. The imagery of a four-square city conveys the idea of eternal stability and peace, free from the chaos and imperfection of the present world.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the concept of four-square can be seen as a metaphor for the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision and plan for humanity. It reflects the idea that God's creation, redemption, and ultimate restoration are perfectly balanced and complete. The four-square design in sacred architecture and eschatological visions serves as a visual representation of God's perfect will and the hope of eternal life in His presence.5068. tetragonos -- a tetrarch (the governor of a fourth part of a ...
... rectangular, foursquare. From tessares and gonia; four-cornered, ie Square --
foursquare. see GREEK tessares. see GREEK gonia. (tetragonos) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5068.htm - 6k7243. rebii -- fourth
... foursquare, fourth part. Or rbiiy {reb-ee-ee'}; from raba'; fourth; also (fractionally)
a fourth -- foursquare, fourth (part). see HEBREW raba'. 7242, 7243. ...
/hebrew/7243.htm - 6k

7251. raba -- to square
... the reverse is the order of deriv.); compare arba'); properly, to be four (sided);
used only as denominative of reba'; to be quadrate -- (four-)square(-d). ...
/hebrew/7251.htm - 6k

The Same Methodius. Justice, as it Seems, is Four Square, on all ...
... The Same Methodius. Justice, as it seems, is four square, on all sides equal and
like.? Justice, as it seems, is four square, on all sides equal and like. ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/ix the same methodius justice.htm

The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon the Conflagration of the ...
... miseries which they madly and voluntarily bring upon themselves; for the Jews, by
demolishing the tower of Antonia, had made their temple four-square, while at ...
/.../chapter 5 the great distress.htm

The Writings of Methodius: Fragments
... self.? IX. The Same Methodius. Justice, as it seems, is four square, on
all sides equal and like.? Two Fragments, Uncertain. I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/

Preface
... They made the Ethics of Aristotle the four-square walls of the city of God; they
expressed the mysteries of the Undivided Three in terms of the Syllogism. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/preface.htm

Some Preliminary Definitions
... and the church were located at the same crossroads, and these two institutions drew
for their constituency from an area of about four square miles for the ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter i some preliminary definitions.htm

Prayer and Faith
... Is faith growing or declining as the years go by? Does faith stand strong and four
square, these days, as iniquity abounds and the love of many grows cold? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/i prayer and faith.htm

What is the Christian Home?
... "Home's not merely four square walls, Though with pictures hung and gilded; Home
is where affection calls" Filled with shrines the heart hath builded.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter i what is the.htm

Home and the Home-Maker.
... Home's not merely four square walls, Though with pictures hung and gilded, Home
is where affection calls, Filled with charms the heart hath builded. Home! ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/x home and the home-maker.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... of the world (ver.13), and at each gate an angel (ver.12), as so many porters, that
no unclean thing should enter into it (ver.27.) It is four square (ver.16 ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the blessed state.htm

Methodius, Bishop, to those who Say: what Doth it Profit us that ...
... enjoy the light that is there, the engine by which those who are fitted for the
edifice of the Church are raised up from below, like a stone four square, to be ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/i methodius bishop to those.htm

Foursquare (10 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOURSQUARE. ...Foursquare (10 Occurrences). Revelation
21:16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. ...
/f/foursquare.htm - 11k

Four-square (7 Occurrences)
Four-square. Foursquare, Four-square. Fourteen . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV). Foursquare, Four-square. Fourteen . Reference Bible.
/f/four-square.htm - 8k

Shittim (34 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and
five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall ...
/s/shittim.htm - 20k

Four-sided (1 Occurrence)
... 6:33 So also made he for the entrance of the temple door-posts of olive-wood, within
a frame four-square; (See NAS NIV). Fourscore, Four-sided. Foursquare ...
/f/four-sided.htm - 6k

Doubled (5 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Exodus 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length
thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/d/doubled.htm - 8k

Measured (91 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Revelation 21:16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as
its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. ...
/m/measured.htm - 35k

Square (94 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Revelation 21:16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as
its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. ...
/s/square.htm - 39k

Height (109 Occurrences)
... unless you repent. (WEY NIV). Revelation 21:16 The city lies foursquare,
and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the ...
/h/height.htm - 41k

Fourteen (26 Occurrences)

/f/fourteen.htm - 15k

Hight (48 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and
five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and its hight shall be three ...
/h/hight.htm - 22k

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