Revelation 4:5-8
New American Standard Bible
The Throne and Worship of the Creator
5 Out from the throne *came (A)flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were (B)seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are [a](C)the seven spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a (D)sea of glass, like crystal; and in the [b]center and (E)around the throne, (F)four living creatures (G)full of eyes in front and behind. 7 (H)The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the (I)four living creatures, each one of them having (J)six wings, are (K)full of eyes around and within; and (L)day and night [c]they do not cease to say,
“(M)Holy, holy, holy is the (N)Lord God, the Almighty, (O)who was and who is and who [d]is to come.”
Footnotes
- Revelation 4:5 Possibly a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit in His fullness, or to seven key angels
- Revelation 4:6 Lit middle of the throne and around
- Revelation 4:8 Lit they have no rest, saying,
- Revelation 4:8 Or is coming
Revelation 4:5-8
Amplified Bible
The Throne and Worship of the Creator
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are [a]the seven Spirits of God;(A) 6 and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living [b]creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them].(B) 7 [c]The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.(C) 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,
“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”(D)
Footnotes
- Revelation 4:5 See note 1:4.
- Revelation 4:6 Some scholars identify these creatures as cherubim glorifying God and guarding the throne of heaven; others suggest the creatures represent God’s attributes (especially His omniscience and omnipresence).
- Revelation 4:7 Jewish tradition suggests that during the exodus the four standards of the tribal triads depicted these images: the triad led by Judah, the lion; the triad led by Reuben, the man; the triad led by Ephraim, the ox; the triad led by Dan, the eagle.
Revelation 4:5-8
King James Version
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
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