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Rev 10:9. Δοῦναι) Some few read δὸς, for the sake of an easy construction: by far the greatest number read δοῦναι: whence formerly the Latin translator rendered it, ut daret (to give), and thus also the Syriac Version. But the direct style agrees with the present address in preference to the indirect. As to what remains, the Infinitive is put for the Imperative. For this change of Mood is frequent with the Greeks, as we have shown on Chrysost. de Sacerd. p. 510, and the next page. Add Biblioth. Brem. Class, viii. p. 945, and following. The very word δοῦναι for δὸς is found in Theocritus. The Hebrew idiom also admits of this, on which see Dign. Speidelii Gramm. Hebr. p. 139. And the Septuagint on Gen 45:19, renders קחו, λαβεῖν-καὶ παραγίνεσθε. Add Luk 9:3; Rom 12:15; Php 3:16. Such a figure makes the style characteristic of feeling,[104] and gives to it either a sense of majesty, especially where God is the speaker, or modesty, as here. For John from time to time, in this book, has expressed great reverence, and that almost to excess, towards the inhabitants of heaven: ch. Rev 7:14, Rev 19:10, Rev 22:8 : δοῦναι therefore, instead of δὸς,[105] corresponds with that modesty, which he exhibited towards the angel in asking for the little book. After the example of John, we ought to unite humility of heart and searching of the prophets: and Lampe on Psalms 131, if you take it rightly, befittingly explains this union.
[104] See Appendix on Moratus Sermo.
[105] Δοῦναι, ABC; “ut daret,” h Vulg. Δὸς, Rec. Text, without good authority.-E.