Rev 5:11-12 | RWP | e4.org | And I saw ( κα ειδον ). A new feature introduced by the outer and vaster circle ( κυκλω ) of angels who catch up the new song of redemption in antiphonal singing, answering the song of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. Some MSS. read ως (as if) before φωνην (voice). Ten thousand times ten thousand ( μυριαδες μυριαδων κα χιλιαδες χιλιαδων ). Literally, "myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands," a mild husteron-proteron. The regular order in I Enoch 40:I. See for χιλια χιλιαδες (thousand thousands) and μυρια μυριαδες (countless myriads). They are all efforts to express the innumerable hosts of the angels.

‏ Revelation of John 5:11-12

And I saw ( κα ειδον ). A new feature introduced by the outer and vaster circle ( κυκλω ) of angels who catch up the new song of redemption in antiphonal singing, answering the song of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. Some MSS. read ως (as if) before φωνην (voice). Ten thousand times ten thousand ( μυριαδες μυριαδων κα χιλιαδες χιλιαδων ). Literally, "myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands," a mild husteron-proteron. The regular order in I Enoch 40:I. See Da 7:10 for χιλια χιλιαδες (thousand thousands) and μυρια μυριαδες (countless myriads). They are all efforts to express the innumerable hosts of the angels.

Worthy ( αξιον ). Agreeing in gender (grammatical neuter) with αρνιον, but some MSS. have αξιος (masculine, natural gender). Note change to third person εστιν instead of second ε. The point of the song is the same as that in verses 9, 10, but the language differs. Note the repeated article το (the lamb the slain) referring to verses 6, 9. Note also the one article την before δυναμιν for all the seven grounds of praise ( δυναμιν, power, πλουτον, wealth, σοφιαν, wisdom, ισχυν, strength, τιμην, honor, δοξαν, glory, ευλογιαν, blessing), though πλουτον is masculine, in contrast with separate article for each item (all three feminine) in 4:11, here grouping them all together, "a heptad of praise" (Swete).