Revelation 4:4-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
4 Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders[a] sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.(A) 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder.[b] Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 (B)In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal.[c]
In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 4:4 Twenty-four elders: these represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles; cf. Rev 21:12–14.
- 4:5 Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder: as in other descriptions of God’s appearance or activity; cf. Rev 8:5; 11:19; 16:18; Ex 19:16; Ez 1:4, 13. The seven spirits of God: the seven “angels of the presence” as in Rev 8:2 and Tb 12:15.
- 4:6 A sea of glass like crystal: an image adapted from Ez 1:22–26. Four living creatures: these are symbols taken from Ez 1:5–21; they are identified as cherubim in Ez 10:20. Covered with eyes: these suggest God’s knowledge and concern.
Revelation 4:4-6
New International Version
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.(A) They were dressed in white(B) and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.(C) In front of the throne, seven lamps(D) were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a](E) of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,(F) clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,(G) and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.(H)
Footnotes
- Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
Revelation 4:4-6
King James Version
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
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.
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