Revelation 4:6 - Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

Revelation 4:6

4 ^aAround the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, ^bclothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

5 And from the throne proceeded ^alightnings, thunderings, and voices. ^bSeven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are ^cthe seven Spirits of God.

6 Before the throne there¹ was ^aa sea of glass, like crystal. ^bAnd in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

7 ^aThe first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

8 The four living creatures, each having ^asix wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
^b“Holy,¹ holy, holy,
^cLord God Almighty,
^dWho was and is and is to come!”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, ^awho lives forever and ever,

10 ^athe twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You^a are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
^bFor You created all things,
And by ^cYour will they exist and were created.”

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

<< Revelation 4:5

Revelation 4:7 >>

Revelation 4:6

As it were a glassy sea (wv qalassa ualinh). Old adjective (from ualov, glass, Revelation 21:18, Revelation 21:21), in N.T. only here and Revelation 15:2. Possibly from uei (it rains), like a raindrop. At any rate here it is the appearance, not the material. Glass was made in Egypt 4,000 years ago. In Exodus 24:10 the elders see under the feet of God in the theophany a paved work of sapphire stone (cf. Ezekiel 1:26). The likeness of the appearance of sky to sea suggests the metaphor here (Beckwith).

Like crystal (omoia krustallw). Associative-instrumental case after omoia. Old word, from kruov (ice and sometimes used for ice), in N.T. only here and Revelation 22:1, not semi-opaque, but clear like rock-crystal.

In the midst of the throne (en mesw tou qronou). As one looks from the front, really before.

Round about the throne (kuklw tou qronou). Merely an adverb in the locative case (Romans 15:19), as a preposition in N.T. only here, Revelation 5:11; Revelation 7:11. This seems to mean that on each of the four sides of the throne was one of the four living creatures either stationary or moving rapidly round (Ezekiel 1:12 f.).

Four living creatures (tessera zwa). Not qhria (beasts), but living creatures. Certainly kin to the zwa of Eze. 1, 2 which are cherubim (Ezekiel 10:2, Ezekiel 10:20), though here the details vary as to faces and wings with a significance of John's own, probably representing creation in contrast with the redeemed (the elders).

Full of eyes (gemonta ofqalmwn). Present active participle of gemw, to be full of, with the genitive, signifying here unlimited intelligence (Beckwith), the ceaseless vigilance of nature (Swete).

Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 4:6:

2 Peter 2:12
Revelation 1:13
Revelation 4:1
Revelation 4:8
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 7:11
Revelation 9:7
Revelation 11:15
Revelation 15:2
Revelation 17:3
Revelation 17:12
Revelation 21:11
Revelation 22:1

<< Revelation 4:5

Revelation 4:7 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,262+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning