Revelation of John 14:2-3
As a voice of many waters ( ως φωνην υδατων πολλων ). For which see 1:15.Of a great thunder ( βροντης μεγαλης ). For which see 6:1; 19:6. For this voice out of heaven see 10:4; 14:15; 18:4 and note accusative with ηκουσα.
As the voice of harpers harping with their harps ( ως κιθαρωιδων κιθαριζοντων εν ταις κιθαραις αυτων ). Triple use of κιθαρα (5:8), κιθαρωιδων (18:22), κιθαριζοντων (old verb κιθαριζω, in N.T. only here and 1Co 14:7). Wonderful melody in this chorus by the angels, not by the 144,000.
They sing as it were a new song ( αιδουσιν ως ωιδην καινην ). See 5:9 for this phrase (cognate accusative) save that here ως (as if) is added. There the new song was sung by the four living creatures and the elders, but here "before" ( ενωπιον ) them and so apparently by the throng who were themselves redeemed by the Lamb.
No man could learn the song save ( ουδεις εδυνατο μαθειν την ωιδην ε μη ). Imperfect ( εδυνατο ) of δυναμα and second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive of μανθανω. In 5:9-12 the angels join in the song. In 15:3 it is the Song of Moses and the Lamb.
Even they that had been purchased out of the earth ( ο ηγορασμενο απο της γης ). Perfect passive articular participle of αγοραζω, purchased by the blood of the Lamb (5:9), masculine plural in apposition with χιλιαδες (thousands) feminine plural (7:5, 8; 14:1). Απο (from) here, though εκ (out of) in 5:9. The 144,000 are not yet separated from the earth (Joh 17:15). Whether the 144,000 here are identical with that number in 7:4-8 or not, they must embrace both men and women.
Copyright information for
RWP