Robertson Word Pictures - Revelation 10:9 - 10:9

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Robertson Word Pictures - Revelation 10:9 - 10:9


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

I went (apēltha). Second aorist active indicative (̇a form), “I went away” (aṗ) to the angel. John left his position by the door of heaven (Rev 4:1).

That he should give (dounai). Second aorist active infinitive of didōmi, indirect command after legōn (bidding) for dos in the direct discourse (second aorist active imperative second person singular). This use of legō to bid occurs in Rev 13:14; Act 21:21.

He saith (legei). Dramatic vivid present active indicative of legō.

Take it and eat it up (labe kai kataphage auto). Second aorist (effective) active imperatives of lambanō and katesthiō (perfective use of kata, “eat down,” we say “eat up”). See the same metaphor in Eze 3:1-3; Jer 15:6. The book was already open and was not to be read aloud, but to be digested mentally by John.

It shall make thy belly bitter (pikranei sou tēn koilian). Future active of pikrainō, for which verb see Rev 8:11; Rev 10:10; Col 3:19. There is no reference in Ezekiel or Jeremiah to the bitterness here mentioned.

Sweet as honey (gluku hōs meli). For the sweetness of the roll see Psa 19:10.; Psa 119:103. “Every revelation of God’s purposes, even though a mere fragment, a biblaridion, is ‘bitter-sweet,’ disclosing judgment as well as mercy” (Swete). Deep and bitter sorrows confront John as he comes to understand God’s will and way.