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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 4:6 - 4:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
As it were a glassy sea (hōs thalassa hualinē). Old adjective (from hualos, glass, Rev 21:18, Rev 21:21), in N.T. only here and Rev 15:2. Possibly from huei (it rains), like a raindrop. At any rate here it is the appearance, not the material. Glass was made in Egypt 4,000 years ago. In Exo 24:10 the elders see under the feet of God in the theophany a paved work of sapphire stone (cf. Eze 1:26). The likeness of the appearance of sky to sea suggests the metaphor here (Beckwith).
Like crystal (homoia krustallōi). Associative-instrumental case after homoia. Old word, from kruos (ice and sometimes used for ice), in N.T. only here and Rev 22:1, not semi-opaque, but clear like rock-crystal.
In the midst of the throne (en mesōi tou thronou). As one looks from the front, really before.
Round about the throne (kuklōi tou thronou). Merely an adverb in the locative case (Rom 15:19), as a preposition in N.T. only here, Rev 5:11; Rev 7:11. This seems to mean that on each of the four sides of the throne was one of the four living creatures either stationary or moving rapidly round (Eze 1:12.).
Four living creatures (tessera zōa). Not thēria (beasts), but living creatures. Certainly kin to the zōa of Ezek 1; Eze 2:1-10 which are cherubim (Eze 10:2, Eze 10:20), though here the details vary as to faces and wings with a significance of John’s own, probably representing creation in contrast with the redeemed (the elders).
Full of eyes (gemonta ophthalmōn). Present active participle of gemō, to be full of, with the genitive, signifying here unlimited intelligence (Beckwith), the ceaseless vigilance of nature (Swete).