Rev 11:3-4 | RWP | e4.org | I will give ( δωσω ). Future active of διδωμ . The speaker may be God (Beckwith) or Christ (Swete) as in ; or his angel representative ( , .). The idiom that follows is Hebraic instead of either the infinitive after διδωμ as in ; ; ; ; , ; or ινα with the subjunctive ( ; ) we have κα προφητευσουσιν (and they shall prophesy). Unto my two witnesses ( τοις δυσιν μαρτυσιν μου ). Dative case after δωσω . The article seems to point to two well-known characters, like Elijah, Elisha, but there is no possible way to determine who they are. All sorts of identifications have been attempted. Clothed ( περιβλημενους ). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω as often before ( , ; , etc.). But Aleph A P Q here read the accusative plural in -ους , while C has the nominative in -ο . Charles suggests a mere slip for the nominative, but Hort suggests a primitive error in early MSS. for the dative περιβεβλεμενοις agreeing with μαρτυσιν . In sackcloth ( σακκους ). Accusative retained with this passive verb as in , . See for σακκος and also . The dress suited the message ( ).

‏ Revelation of John 11:3-4

I will give ( δωσω ). Future active of διδωμ. The speaker may be God (Beckwith) or Christ (Swete) as in 2:13; 21:6 or his angel representative (22:7, 12ff.). The idiom that follows is Hebraic instead of either the infinitive after διδωμ as in 2:7; 3:21; 6:4; 7:2; 13:7, 15; 16:8 or ινα with the subjunctive (9:5; 19:8) we have κα προφητευσουσιν (and they shall prophesy).

Unto my two witnesses ( τοις δυσιν μαρτυσιν μου ). Dative case after δωσω. The article seems to point to two well-known characters, like Elijah, Elisha, but there is no possible way to determine who they are. All sorts of identifications have been attempted.

Clothed ( περιβλημενους ). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω as often before (7:9, 13; 10:1, etc.). But Aleph A P Q here read the accusative plural in -ους, while C has the nominative in -ο. Charles suggests a mere slip for the nominative, but Hort suggests a primitive error in early MSS. for the dative περιβεβλεμενοις agreeing with μαρτυσιν.

In sackcloth ( σακκους ). Accusative retained with this passive verb as in 7:9, 13. See 6:12 for σακκος and also Mt 3:4. The dress suited the message (Mt 11:21).

The two olive trees ( α δυο ελαια ). The article seems to point to what is known. For this original use of ελαια see Ro 11:17, 24. In Zec 4:2, 3, 14 the lampstand or candlestick ( λυχνια ) is Israel, and the two olive trees apparently Joshua and Zerubbabel, but John makes his own use of this symbolism. Here the two olive trees and the candlesticks are identical.

Standing ( εστωτες ). Masculine perfect active participle agreeing with ουτο instead of εστωσα (read by P and cursives) agreeing with ελαια κα λυχνια, even though α (feminine plural article) be accepted before ενωπιον του κυριου (before the Lord).