Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Out of the throne (ek tou qronou). Back to the throne itself. The imagery is kin to that in Exodus 19:16; Exodus 24:9 f.; Ezekiel 1:22, Ezekiel 1:27.
Proceed (ekporeuontai). Graphic historical present.
Lightnings and voices and thunders (astrapai kai fwnai kai brontai). So exactly in Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18, but in Revelation 8:5 with brontai first, astrapai last, all old and common words. "The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., I Samuel 2:10; Psalms 18:9 f.; Job 37:4 f." (Swete).
Seven lamps of fire (epta lampadev purov). Return to the nominative (idou, not eidon) with hsan (were) understood. Metaphor drawn from Ezekiel 1:13; Zechariah 4:12 ff. Our word "lamp," but here a torch as in Revelation 8:10, identified with the Holy Spirit (the Seven Spirits of God) as in Revelation 1:4; Revelation 3:1, not luxniai (lampstands) as in Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:20, nor luxnov a hand-lamp with oil (Matthew 5:15). "These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God" (Swete).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 4:5:
Revelation 1:4
Revelation 4:1
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 8:5
Revelation 8:10
Revelation 10:3
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