Cities were surrounded by walls, as distinguished from "unwalled villages" (Eze 38:11; Le 25:29-34). They were made thick and strong (Nu 13:28; De 3:5). Among the Jews walls were built of stone, some of those in the temple being of great size (1Ki 6:7; 7:9-12; 20:30; Mr 13:1-2). The term is used metaphorically of security and safety (Isa 26:1; 60:18; Re 21:12-20). (See Fence.)
As Jesus was walking out of the Temple courts, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and buildings these are!" "You see these mighty buildings? There shall not be left here one stone upon another which shall not be thrown down," he answered.
with a wall great and high, and twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east were three gates; and on the north, three gates; and on the south, three gates; and on the west, three gates. read more. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who spoke had a golden reed, as a measure, to measure the city and its gates and walls. And the city lies foursquare; the length of it is as great as the breadth. Then he measured the city with the reed, fifteen hundred miles; the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured its wall, two hundred and sixteen feet, man's measure, which is an angel's. And its wall is made of jasper; but the city is of pure gold, like pure glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kings of precious stones. The first foundation-stone was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.