Rev 4:5-6 | RWP | e4.org | Out of the throne ( εκ του θρονου ). Back to the throne itself. The imagery is kin to that in ; .; , . Proceed ( εκπορευοντα ). Graphic historical present. Lightnings and voices and thunders ( αστραπα κα φωνα κα βροντα ). So exactly in ; , but in with βροντα first, αστραπα last, all old and common words. "The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., ; .; ." (Swete). Seven lamps of fire ( επτα λαμπαδες πυρος ). Return to the nominative ( ιδου , not ειδον ) with ησαν (were) understood. Metaphor drawn from ; . Our word "lamp," but here a torch as in , identified with the Holy Spirit (the Seven Spirits of God) as in ; , not λυχνια (lampstands) as in , , nor λυχνος a hand-lamp with oil ( ). "These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God" (Swete).

‏ Revelation of John 4:5-6

Out of the throne ( εκ του θρονου ). Back to the throne itself. The imagery is kin to that in Ex 19:16; 24:9f.; Eze 1:22, 27.

Proceed ( εκπορευοντα ). Graphic historical present.

Lightnings and voices and thunders ( αστραπα κα φωνα κα βροντα ). So exactly in 11:19; 16:18, but in 8:5 with βροντα first, αστραπα last, all old and common words. "The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., 1Sa 2:10; Ps 18:9f.; Job 37:4f." (Swete).

Seven lamps of fire ( επτα λαμπαδες πυρος ). Return to the nominative ( ιδου, not ειδον ) with ησαν (were) understood. Metaphor drawn from Eze 1:13; Zec 4:12ff. Our word "lamp," but here a torch as in 8:10, identified with the Holy Spirit (the Seven Spirits of God) as in 1:4; 3:1, not λυχνια (lampstands) as in 1:12, 20, nor λυχνος a hand-lamp with oil (Mt 5:15). "These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God" (Swete).

As it were a glassy sea ( ως θαλασσα υαλινη ). Old adjective (from υαλος, glass, 21:18, 21), in N.T. only here and 15:2. Possibly from υε (it rains), like a raindrop. At any rate here it is the appearance, not the material. Glass was made in Egypt 4,000 years ago. In Ex 24:10 the elders see under the feet of God in the theophany a paved work of sapphire stone (cf. Eze 1:26). The likeness of the appearance of sky to sea suggests the metaphor here (Beckwith).

Like crystal ( ομοια κρυσταλλω ). Associative-instrumental case after ομοια. Old word, from κρυος (ice and sometimes used for ice), in N.T. only here and 22:1, not semi-opaque, but clear like rock-crystal.

In the midst of the throne ( εν μεσω του θρονου ). As one looks from the front, really before.

Round about the throne ( κυκλω του θρονου ). Merely an adverb in the locative case (Ro 15:19), as a preposition in N.T. only here, 5:11; 7:11. This seems to mean that on each of the four sides of the throne was one of the four living creatures either stationary or moving rapidly round (Eze 1:12f.).

Four living creatures ( τεσσερα ζωα ). Not θηρια (beasts), but living creatures. Certainly kin to the ζωα of Eze 1; 2 which are cherubim (Eze 10:2, 20), though here the details vary as to faces and wings with a significance of John's own, probably representing creation in contrast with the redeemed (the elders).

Full of eyes ( γεμοντα οφθαλμων ). Present active participle of γεμω, to be full of, with the genitive, signifying here unlimited intelligence (Beckwith), the ceaseless vigilance of nature (Swete).