Rev 7:2-3 | RWP | e4.org | Ascend ( αναβαινοντα ). Present active participle of αναβαινω , "ascending," "going up," picturing the process. From the sun-rising ( απο ανατολης ηλιου ). Same phrase in . From the east, though why is not told. Swete suggests it is because Palestine is east of Patmos. The plural απο ανατολων occurs in without ηλιου (sun). The seal of the living God ( σφραγιδα θεου ζωντος ). Here the signet ring, like that used by an Oriental monarch, to give validity to the official documents. The use of ζωντος with θεου accents the eternal life of God ( ; ; ) as opposed to the ephemeral pagan gods. To whom it was given ( οις εδοθη αυτοις ). For εδοθη see on , , etc. The repetition of αυτοις in addition to οις (both dative) is a redundant Hebraism (in vernacular Koine to some extent) often in the Apocalypse ( ). The angels are here identified with the winds as the angels of the churches with the churches ( ). To hurt ( αδικησα ). First aorist active infinitive of αδικεω , subject of εδοθη , common use of αδικεω in this sense of to hurt in the Apocalypse ( ; already), in also. The injury is to come by letting loose the winds, not by withholding them.

‏ Revelation of John 7:2-3

Ascend ( αναβαινοντα ). Present active participle of αναβαινω, "ascending," "going up," picturing the process.

From the sun-rising ( απο ανατολης ηλιου ). Same phrase in 16:12. From the east, though why is not told. Swete suggests it is because Palestine is east of Patmos. The plural απο ανατολων occurs in Mt 2:1 without ηλιου (sun).

The seal of the living God ( σφραγιδα θεου ζωντος ). Here the signet ring, like that used by an Oriental monarch, to give validity to the official documents. The use of ζωντος with θεου accents the eternal life of God (1:18; 10:6; 15:7) as opposed to the ephemeral pagan gods.

To whom it was given ( οις εδοθη αυτοις ). For εδοθη see on 6:2, 4, etc. The repetition of αυτοις in addition to οις (both dative) is a redundant Hebraism (in vernacular Koine to some extent) often in the Apocalypse (3:8). The angels are here identified with the winds as the angels of the churches with the churches (1:20).

To hurt ( αδικησα ). First aorist active infinitive of αδικεω, subject of εδοθη, common use of αδικεω in this sense of to hurt in the Apocalypse (2:11; 6:6 already), in Lu 10:19 also. The injury is to come by letting loose the winds, not by withholding them.

Hurt not ( μη αδικησητε ). Prohibition with μη and the ingressive aorist active subjunctive of αδικεω, not to begin to hurt.

Till we shall have sealed ( αχρ σφραγισωμεν ). Temporal clause of indefinite action for the future with αχρ (sometimes αχρις ου or αχρις ου αν ) and the aorist subjunctive as in 15:8; 20:3, 5 or the future indicative (17:7), usually with the notion of ascent (up to) rather than extent like μεχρ.

An (modal) sometimes occurs, but it is not necessary. But there is no futurum exactum idea in the aorist subjunctive, simply "till we seal," not "till we shall have sealed."

Upon their foreheads ( επ των μετωπων ). From Eze 9:4. Old word ( μετα, ωπς, after the eye, above the eye, the space above or between the eyes), in N.T. only in the Apocalypse (7:3; 9:4; 13:16; 14:1, 9; 17:5; 20:4; 22:4). For "the servants of God" ( τους δουλους του θεου ) who are to be thus marked linked with angels in the service of God see Re 1:1; 2:20; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6.