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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 5:6 - 5:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
And I saw (kai eidon). Stirred by the words of the elder in Rev 5:5 (idou, behold). “I beheld.”
In the midst (en mesōi). See Rev 4:6 for this idiom. It is not quite clear where the Lamb was standing in the vision, whether close to the throne or in the space between the throne and the elders (perhaps implied by “came” in Rev 5:7, but nearness to the throne is implied by Rev 14:1; Act 7:56; Heb 10:11).
A Lamb (arnion). Elsewhere in the N.T. ho amnos is used of Christ (Joh 1:29, Joh 1:36; Act 8:32; 1Pe 1:19 like Isa 53:7), but in the Apocalypse to arnion occurs for the Crucified Christ 29 times in twelve chapters.
Standing (hestēkos). Second perfect active (intransitive of histēmi) neuter accusative singular (grammatical gender like arnion), though some MSS. read hestēkōs (natural gender masculine and nominative in spite of eidon construction according to sense).
As though it had been slain (hōs esphagmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of sphazō, old word, in N.T. only in Rev 5:6, Rev 5:9, Rev 5:12; Rev 6:4, Rev 6:9; Rev 13:3; Rev 18:24; 1Jo 3:12. Hōs (as if) is used because the Lamb is now alive, but (in appearance) with the marks of the sacrifice. The Christ as the Lamb is both sacrifice and Priest (Heb 9:12.; Heb 10:11).
Having (echōn). Construction according to sense again with masculine nominative participle instead of echonta (masculine accusative singular) or echon (neuter accusative singular). Seven horns (keras) is a common symbol in the O.T. for strength and kingly power (1Sa 2:10; 1Ki 22:11; Psa 112:9; Dan 7:7, Dan 7:20.) and often in Rev (Rev 12:3; Rev 13:1; Rev 17:3, Rev 17:12). Fulness of power (the All-powerful one) is symbolized by seven.
Seven eyes (ophthalmous hepta). Like Zec 3:9; Zec 4:10 and denotes here, as there, omniscience. Here they are identified with the seven Spirits of Christ, while in Rev 1:4 the seven Spirits are clearly the Holy Spirit of God (Rev 3:1), and blaze like torches (Rev 4:5), like the eyes of Christ (Rev 1:14). The Holy Spirit is both Spirit of God and of Christ (Rom 8:9).
Sent forth (apestalmenoi). Perfect passive predicate participle of apostellō, masculine plural (agreeing with hoi and ophthalmous in gender), but some MSS. have apestalmena agreeing with the nearer pneumata.