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In[a] a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were[b] dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns[c] on their heads. From[d] the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring[e] and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God,[f] were burning in front of the throne and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.[g]

In[h] the middle of the throne[i] and around the throne were four living creatures[j] full of eyes in front and in back.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 4:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  2. 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.
  3. Revelation 4:4 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
  4. Revelation 4:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  5. 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?…).”
  6. 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.
  7. Revelation 4:6 tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.
  8. Revelation 4:6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  9. Revelation 4:6 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
  10. Revelation 4:6 tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zōon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”