Revelation 21:17

21:17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits ¹  according to human measurement, which is also the angel’s. ² 

Deuteronomy 3:11

3:11 Only King Og of Bashan was left of the remaining Rephaites. (It is noteworthy ³  that his sarcophagus ⁴  was made of iron. ⁵  Does it not, indeed, still remain in Rabbath ⁶  of the Ammonites? It is thirteen and a half feet ⁷  long and six feet ⁸  wide according to standard measure.) ⁹ 

Romans 3:5

3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates ¹⁰  the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he? ¹¹  (I am speaking in human terms.) ¹² 

¹ tn Here the measurement was kept in cubits in the translation because of the possible symbolic significance of the number 144 (12 times 12). This is about 216 ft (65 m).

² tn Here L&N 81.1 translate the phrase μέτρον ἀνθρώπου, ὅ ἐστιν ἀγγέλου (metron anqrwpou, {o estin angelou) “‘the unit of measurement used by a person, that is, by an angel’ Re 21:17.” It is more likely that μέτρον is an accusative of respect or reference.

³ tn Heb “Behold” (הִנֵּה, hinneh).

⁴ tn The Hebrew term עֶרֶשׂ (’eres), traditionally translated “bed” (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT) is likely a basaltic (volcanic) stone sarcophagus of suitable size to contain the coffin of the giant Rephaite king. Its iron-like color and texture caused it to be described as an iron container. See A. Millard, “King Og’s Iron Bed: Fact or Fancy?” BR 6 (1990): 16-21, 44; cf. also NEB “his sarcophagus of basalt”; TEV, CEV “his coffin.”

⁵ tn Or “of iron-colored basalt.” See note on the word “sarcophagus” earlier in this verse.

⁶ sn Rabbath. This place name (usually occurring as Rabbah; 2 Sam 11:11; 12:27; Jer 49:3) refers to the ancient capital of the Ammonite kingdom, now the modern city of Amman, Jordan. The word means “great [one],” probably because of its political importance. The fact that the sarcophagus “still remain[ed]” there suggests this part of the verse is post-Mosaic, having been added as a matter of explanation for the existence of the artifact and also to verify the claim as to its size.

⁷ tn Heb “nine cubits.” Assuming a length of 18 in (45 cm) for the standard cubit, this would be 13.5 ft (4.1 m) long.

⁸ tn Heb “four cubits.” This would be 6 ft (1.8 m) wide.

⁹ tn Heb “by the cubit of man.” This probably refers to the “short” or “regular” cubit of approximately 18 in (45 cm).

¹⁰ tn Or “shows clearly.”

¹¹ tn Grk “That God is not unjust to inflict wrath, is he?”

¹² sn The same expression occurs in Gal 3:15, and similar phrases in Rom 6:19 and 1 Cor 9:8.