Rev 5:9-12 | RWP | e4.org | They sing ( αιδουσιν ). Present active indicative of αιδω . Old verb, to chant with lyrical emotion ( ). A new song ( ωιδην καινην ). Cognate accusative for οιδε ( ωιδη , song) is αοιδε from αειδω , that is αιδω (the verb used), old word already used ( ; ), called καινην because a fresh song for new mercies ( ; ; , etc.), here in praise of redemption to Christ ( ) like the new name ( ; ), the new Jerusalem ( ; ), the new heaven and the new earth ( ), not the old song of creation ( , ) to God. For thou wast slain ( οτ εσφαγης ). Second aorist passive indicative of σφαζω . Αγοραζω used by Paul and Peter of our purchase from sin by Christ ( ; ; ; ; ; cf. .). Unto God ( τω θεω ). Dative case of advantage as also in verse . With thy blood ( εν τω αιματ σου ). Instrumental use of εν as in . The blood of Christ as the price of our redemption runs all through the Apocalypse. This is the reason why Christ is worthy to "take the book and open its seals." That is, he is worthy to receive adoration and worship ( ) as the Father does. Men of every ( εκ πασης ). No ανθρωπους (men) or τινας (some) before εκ in the Greek. See a like ellipsis in with a like grouping of words for all mankind, representatives of all races and nations ( ; ; ).

‏ Revelation of John 5:9-12

They sing ( αιδουσιν ). Present active indicative of αιδω. Old verb, to chant with lyrical emotion (Col 3:16).

A new song ( ωιδην καινην ). Cognate accusative for οιδε ( ωιδη, song) is αοιδε from αειδω, that is αιδω (the verb used), old word already used (Col 3:16; Eph 5:19), called καινην because a fresh song for new mercies (Isa 42:10; Ps 33:3; 40:3, etc.), here in praise of redemption to Christ (14:3) like the new name (2:17; 3:12), the new Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2), the new heaven and the new earth (21:1), not the old song of creation (4:8, 11) to God.

For thou wast slain ( οτ εσφαγης ). Second aorist passive indicative of σφαζω. Αγοραζω used by Paul and Peter of our purchase from sin by Christ (1Co 6:20; 7:23; Ga 3:13; 4:5; 2Pe 2:1; cf. 1Pe 1:18f.).

Unto God ( τω θεω ). Dative case of advantage as also in verse 10.

With thy blood ( εν τω αιματ σου ). Instrumental use of εν as in 1:5. The blood of Christ as the price of our redemption runs all through the Apocalypse. This is the reason why Christ is worthy to "take the book and open its seals." That is, he is worthy to receive adoration and worship (4:11) as the Father does.

Men of every ( εκ πασης ). No ανθρωπους (men) or τινας (some) before εκ in the Greek. See a like ellipsis in 11:9 with a like grouping of words for all mankind, representatives of all races and nations (7:9; 13:7; 14:6).

Madest ( εποιησας ). First aorist active indicative of ποιεω, a prophetic use anticipating the final result.

A kingdom and priests ( βασιλειαν κα ιερεις ). As the correct text in 1:6.

They reign ( βασιλευουσιν ). Present active indicative, futuristic use, though Aleph P have the future βασιλευσουσιν (shall reign) as in 20:6.

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).