Vincent's Word Studies And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, In the midst (ἀνά μεσον)
See on Revelation 5:6. Shall feed (ποιμανεῖ) See on shall be shepherd of, Matthew 2:6; see on Acts 20:28; see on 1 Peter 5:2. Compare Psalm 23:1. Shall lead (ὁδηγήσει) See on Luke 6:39. Living fountains of waters (ζώσας πηγὰς ὑδάτων) For the participle living, read ζωῆς of life, and render as Rev., fountains of waters of life. Compare Psalm 23:2. In the Greek order, of life stands first as emphatic. All tears (πᾶν δάκρυον) Rev., correctly, every tear. Compare Isaiah 25:8. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. When (ὅτε)
Read ὅταν, the indefinite particle with the indicative mood. For a similar construction, see Mark 11:19 (correct reading). Alford observes that it occurs in the opening of this seal only, giving it an indefiniteness which does not belong to any of the rest. There was (ἐγένετο) More literally, come to pass. Rev., there followed. About (ὡς) A usual form of expression with John. See John 1:39; John 6:19; John 11:18. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. At the altar (ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον)
The best texts read θυσιαστηρίου, which justifies the Rev., "over the altar." For altar, see on Revelation 6:9. Interpreters differ as to whether the altar meant is the brazen altar, as in Revelation 6:9, or the altar of incense, as in Revelation 9:13. There seems to be no reason for changing the reference from the brazen altar (see on Revelation 6:9), especially as both altars are mentioned in this verse. The officiating priest in the tabernacle or temple took the fire for his censer from the brazen altar, and then offered the incense upon the golden altar. Censer See on Revelation 5:8. Incense See on Revelation 5:8. Offer it with the prayers (δώσῃ ταῖς προσευχαῖς) Lit., should give it unto the prayers. Rev., add it unto the prayers. So that the prayers and the incense might ascend together. Προσευχή is always used of prayer to God. Golden altar The altar of incense. Exodus 30:1-6; Exodus 39:38. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Which came with the prayers
An awkward rendering, followed by Rev., though with the omission of the italicized which came. The construction is ἀνέβη went up, with the dative case, to the prayers. "The ascending smoke had reference to the prayers, was designed to accompany them and render them more acceptable" (Winer). Of the saints (τῶν ἁγίων) See on Acts 26:10. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Took (εἴληφεν)
Lit., hath taken. So Rev., in margin. With the fire (ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς) Lit., "from or out off the fire," i.e., the coals or hot ashes. For ἐκ out off see on Revelation 2:7. Cast it into the earth See Ezekiel 10:2; Luke 12:49. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. To sound (ἵνα σαλπίσωσιν)
Lit., that they should blow the trumpets. Raised their trumpets to their mouths in act to blow. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; The first angel
Omit angel. Hail and fire mingled with blood (χάλαζα καὶ πῦρ μεμιγμένα αἵματι) Insert ἐν in before αἵματι blood. Instead of "with blood" as A.V., and Rev., we should render "in blood." The hailstones and fire-balls fell in a shower of blood. Compare the account of the plague of fire and hail in Egypt (Exodus 9:24) to which the reference is here, where the Septuagint reads and there was hail and the fire flaming in the hail. Compare Joel 2:30. And the third part of the earth was burnt up This is added by the best texts. Green (χλωρὸς) See on pale, Revelation 6:8. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. As it were (ὡς)
Not a mountain, but a fiery mass so large as to resemble one. Blood Reminding of the first plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:20, Exodus 7:21). And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Lamp (λαμπὰς)
Rev., torch. See on Revelation 4:5. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Wormwood (ἄψινθος)
Used metaphorically in the Old Testament of the idolatry of Israel (Deuteronomy 29:18); of calamity and sorrow (Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 23:15; Lamentations 3:15, Lamentations 3:19); of false judgment (Amos 5:7). And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. An angel (ἑνὸς ἀγγέλου)
For angel read ἀετοῦ eagle. Lit., one eagle. The eagle is a symbol of vengeance in Deuteronomy 28:49; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8. Mid heaven (μεσουρανήματι) Only in Revelation, here, Revelation 14:6; Revelation 19:17. It means, properly, the meridian, the highest point in the heavens which the sun occupies at noon; not the space between heaven and earth. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Fall (πεπτωκότα)
Lit., fallen. The star had fallen before and is seen as fallen. Rev., properly construes star with from heaven instead of with fallen. Compare Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18. Of the bottomless pit (τοῦ φρέατος τῆς ἀβύσσου) Rev., of the pit of the abyss. See on John 4:6, and compare Luke 14:5. It is not however a pit that is locked, but the long shaft leading to the abyss, like a well-shaft, which, in the East, is oftener covered and locked. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Smoke of a great furnace Compare Genesis 19:28; Exodus 19:18; Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:50. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
