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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 2:17 - 2:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Of the hidden manna (tou manna tou kekrummenou). “Of the manna the hidden” (perfect passive articular participle of kruptō). The partitive genitive, the only N.T. example with didōmi, though Q reads to (accusative) here. For examples of the ablative with apo and ek see Robertson, Grammar, p. 519. See Joh 6:31, Joh 6:49 for the indeclinable word manna. The golden pot of manna was “laid up before God in the ark” (Exo 16:23). It was believed that Jeremiah hid the ark, before the destruction of Jerusalem, where it would not be discovered till Israel was restored (2 Macc. 2:5ff.). Christ is the true bread from heaven (Joh 6:31-33, Joh 6:48-51) and that may be the idea here. Those faithful to Christ will have transcendent fellowship with him. Swete takes it to be “the life-sustaining power of the Sacred Humanity now hid with Christ in God.”
A white stone (psēphon leukēn). This old word for pebble (from psaō, to rub) was used in courts of justice, black pebbles for condemning, white pebbles for acquitting. The only other use of the word in the N.T. is in Act 26:10, where Paul speaks of “depositing his pebble” (katēnegka psēphon) or casting his vote. The white stone with one’s name on it was used to admit one to entertainments and also as an amulet or charm.
A new name written (onoma kainon gegrammenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of graphō. Not the man’s own name, but that of Christ (Heitmuller, Im Namen Jesu, p. 128-265). See Rev 3:12 for the name of God so written on one. The man himself may be the psēphos on which the new name is written. “The true Christian has a charmed life” (Moffatt).
But he that receiveth it (ei mē ho lambanōn). “Except the one receiving it.” See Mat 11:27 for like intimate and secret knowledge between the Father and the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal the Father. See also Rev 19:12.