Revelation 4:4
New English Translation
4 In[a] a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were[b] dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns[c] on their heads.
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- Revelation 4:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 4:4 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were” to indicate the connection to the preceding material.
- Revelation 4:4 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
Revelation 4:6
New English Translation
6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.[a]
In[b] the middle of the throne[c] and around the throne were four living creatures[d] full of eyes in front and in back.
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- Revelation 4:6 tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.
- Revelation 4:6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 4:6 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
- Revelation 4:6 tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zōon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”
Revelation 5:8
New English Translation
8 and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the ground[a] before the Lamb. Each[b] of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints).[c]
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- Revelation 5:8 tn Grk “fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
- Revelation 5:8 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Revelation 5:8 sn This interpretive comment by the author forms a parenthesis in the narrative.
Revelation 5:9
New English Translation
9 They were singing a new song:[a]
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals
because you were killed,[b]
and at the cost of your own blood[c] you have purchased[d] for God
persons[e] from every tribe, language,[f] people, and nation.
Footnotes
- Revelation 5:9 tn The redundant participle λέγοντες (legontes) has not been translated here.
- Revelation 5:9 tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.”
- Revelation 5:9 tn The preposition ἐν (en) is taken to indicate price here, like the Hebrew preposition ב (bet) does at times. BDAG 329 s.v. ἐν 5.b states, “The ἐν which takes the place of the gen. of price is also instrumental ἠγόρασας ἐν τῷ αἵματί σου Rv 5:9 (cp. 1 Ch 21:24 ἀγοράζω ἐν ἀργυρίῳ).”
- Revelation 5:9 tc The Greek text as it stands above (i.e., the reading τῷ θεῷ [tō theō] alone) is found in codex A. א 2050 2344 M sy add the term “us” (ἡμᾶς, hēmas), either before or after τῷ θεῷ, as an attempt to clarify the object of “purchased” (ἠγόρασας, ēgorasas). A few mss (1 vgms) delete the reference to God altogether and simply replace it with “us” (ἡμᾶς). This too is an attempt to remove ambiguity in the phrase and provide an object for “purchased.” The shorter reading, supported by the best witness for Revelation, best accounts for the other readings.
- Revelation 5:9 tn The word “persons” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
- Revelation 5:9 tn Grk “and language,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
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