Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Like a lion (omoion leonti). Associative-instrumental case again. In Ezekiel 1:6, Ezekiel 1:10 each zwon has four faces, but here each has a different face. "The four forms represent whatever is noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest in nature" (Swete). But it is not necessary to try to find a symbolism in each face here like the early baseless identification with the Four Evangelists (the lion for Mark, the man for Matthew, the calf for Luke, the eagle for John). Mosxov is first a sprout, then the young of animals, then a calf (bullock or heifer) as in Luke 15:23, Luke 15:27, Luke 15:30, or a full-grown ox (Ezekiel 1:10).
Had (exwn). Masculine singular (some MSS. exon neuter singular agreeing with zwon) present active participle of exw, changing the construction with the triton zwon almost like a finite verb as in verse Revelation 4:8.
A face as of a man (proswpon wv anqrwpou). Shows that the likeness in each instance extended only to the face.
Like an eagle flying (omoion aetw petomenw). Present middle participle of petomai, to fly, old verb, in N.T. only in Revelation 4:7; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17. The aetov in Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37 may be a form of vulture going after carrion, but not in Revelation 8:13; Revelation 12:14.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 4:7:
2 Peter 2:12
Revelation 4:1
Revelation 4:2
Revelation 4:7
Revelation 4:8
Revelation 8:13
Revelation 10:2
Revelation 12:14
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