Revelation 4:3-5
New English Translation
3 And the one seated on it was like jasper[a] and carnelian[b] in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald[c] encircled the throne. 4 In[d] a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were[e] dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns[f] on their heads. 5 From[g] the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring[h] and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God,[i] were burning in front of the throne
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Revelation 4:3 tn Grk “jasper stone.”sn Jasper was a semiprecious gemstone, probably green in color (L&N 2.30).
- Revelation 4:3 sn Carnelian was a semiprecious gemstone, usually red in color (L&N 2.36).
- Revelation 4:3 tn Or “a rainbow emerald-like in appearance.”
- Revelation 4:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 4:4 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were” to indicate the connection to the preceding material.
- Revelation 4:4 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
- Revelation 4:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 4:5 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
- Revelation 4:5 sn Some interpret the seven spirits of God as angelic beings, while others see them as a reference to the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 4:3-5
New International Version
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper(A) and ruby.(B) A rainbow(C) that shone like an emerald(D) encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.(E) They were dressed in white(F) and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.(G) In front of the throne, seven lamps(H) were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a](I) of God.
Footnotes
- Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
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