1
Μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ θύρα ἠνεῳγμένη ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἡ φωνὴ ἡ πρώτη ἣν ἤκουσα ὡς σάλπιγγος λαλούσης μετ’ ἐμοῦ λέγων· Ἀνάβα ὧδε, καὶ δείξω σοι ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice that I had heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."
The open door and the summonsasyndetonThe vision-cycle opens with John's seer-formula 'I looked, and behold': an opened door in heaven and the trumpet-voice (the risen Christ of 1:10) calling him up to be shown the things that must come to pass.
Μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (time)μετά + acc.: 'after'; μετὰ ταῦτα ('after these things') is a Johannine transition-formula, marking a new vision (cf. 4:1; 7:1, 9; 18:1).
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of μετάοὗτος: 'this'; the things just seen — the messages to the seven churches (chs. 2–3).
εἶδονI looked/sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, look'; the seer's vision-verb that punctuates the Apocalypse (εἶδον dozens of times).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention)ἰδού: 'behold, look!'; a frozen aorist imperative of ὁράω, calling attention to the new sight (Semitic הִנֵּה).
θύραa doorNominativenominative (in the ἰδού-clause)θύρα: 'door, gate'; the threshold of the heavenly throne-room, opened for the seer (cf. Ezek 1:1; John 1:51).
ἠνεῳγμένηstanding openPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἀνοίγωattributive participle (predicate of θύρα)→ perfect (resultant state)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; the perfect depicts a settled state — the door stands open, having been opened (by God).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐν (location)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the locus of the throne-vision, into which the door grants access.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
φωνὴvoiceNominativenominative (subject of λέγων, resumed)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; the same voice as 1:10 — the glorified Christ summoning the seer.
ἡtheNominativearticle (attributive)
πρώτηfirstNominativeattributive adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first, former'; the voice 'first' heard, i.e. earlier (1:10), now heard again.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἤκουσα)
ἤκουσαI had heardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the seer's audition-verb, paired with εἶδον throughout.
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'like, as'; the Apocalypse's pervasive comparative — analogy, not identity, for what defies plain speech.
σάλπιγγοςa trumpetGenitivegenitive of comparison (after ὡς)σάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the loud, commanding theophanic sound (cf. Exod 19:16; 1 Thess 4:16).
λαλούσηςspeakingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · λαλέωattributive participle (modifies σάλπιγγος)→ present (ongoing)λαλέω: 'speak'; the trumpet-like voice articulating words to John.
μετ’withpreposition + genitive (association)μετά + gen.: 'with'; λαλέω μετά ('speak with') is a Semitizing idiom for addressing someone.
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of μετά
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant speech (nominative pendens; constructio ad sensum)→ present (ongoing)λέγω: 'say'; the masculine λέγων against feminine φωνή is a typical Apocalyptic solecism — sense-agreement with the speaker.
Ἀνάβαcome upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωimperative (command)→ ingressive aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend'; the rapture-call summoning the seer into heaven (cf. 11:12).
ὧδεhereadverb (place)ὧδε: 'here, to this place'; into the opened heaven.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δείξωI will showFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (promise)→ predictive futureδείκνυμι: 'show, reveal'; the disclosure-verb framing the book (1:1; 21:9; 22:1, 6, 8).
σοιyouDativedative indirect object
ἃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δείξω; subject of δεῖ-clause)
δεῖmustPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (divine necessity)→ gnomic presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the prophetic-eschatological 'must' of God's decreed plan (cf. 1:1; Dan 2:28).
γενέσθαιto take placeAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (with δεῖ)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'happen, come to pass'; the things that 'must' occur in the unfolding of history.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (time)
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of μετάοὗτος: 'this'; echoing 1:19's 'what is to be after these things.'
2
εὐθέως ἐγενόμην ἐν πνεύματι· καὶ ἰδοὺ θρόνος ἔκειτο ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον καθήμενος,
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, and one seated on the throne,
In the Spirit before the throneasyndetonThe seer's rapt state ('in the Spirit') and the vision's center: a throne and the One enthroned. The throne (θρόνος, ~17× in the chapter) dominates the whole scene.
εὐθέωςat onceadverb (time)εὐθέως: 'immediately, at once'; the instantaneous translation into visionary ecstasy.
ἐγενόμηνI was/came to beAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; ἐγενόμην ἐν πνεύματι = entered the prophetic trance (cf. 1:10; 17:3; 21:10).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/state)
πνεύματιthe SpiritDativeobject of ἐν (state)πνεῦμα: 'spirit/Spirit'; ἐν πνεύματι denotes the Spirit-wrought visionary state of the prophet.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention)ἰδού: 'behold'; presenting the vision's centerpiece.
θρόνοςa throneNominativesubject of ἔκειτοθρόνος: 'throne'; the governing symbol of the chapter — God's sovereign rule (cf. Ps 11:4; Isa 6:1; Ezek 1:26).
ἔκειτοstood/was setImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κεῖμαιmain verb→ imperfect (state in view)κεῖμαι: 'lie, be set, be placed'; the throne 'stood set' fixed in heaven — the imperfect frames the abiding scene.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐν (location)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the throne is fixed in heaven, beyond all earthly thrones.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπί + acc.: 'on, upon'; the seating 'upon the throne' — the accusative is John's idiom even for static position.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θρόνονthroneAccusativeobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne'; the seat of the Enthroned One.
καθήμενοςone seatedPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (nominative; verbless)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit, be seated'; ὁ καθήμενος ('the one seated') is John's reverent circumlocution for God, never named or described as form (cf. 4:9; 5:1, 7, 13).
3
καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ὅμοιος ὁράσει λίθῳ ἰάσπιδι καὶ σαρδίῳ, καὶ ἶρις κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου ὅμοιος ὁράσει σμαραγδίνῳ.
and the one seated was, in appearance, like jasper and carnelian stone, and a rainbow was around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.
The appearance of the EnthronedκαὶGod is described not in form but in refracted light — flashing gemstones — and encircled by an emerald rainbow, the bow of covenant mercy (Gen 9) surrounding the throne of judgment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθήμενοςone seatedPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (subject; verbless clause)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; the Enthroned One of v.2, now described.
ὅμοιοςlikeNominativepredicate adjective (+ dative)ὅμοιος: 'like, similar to' (+ dat.); the Apocalypse's reticent analogy — God appears 'like' precious light, beyond direct depiction.
ὁράσειin appearanceDativedative of respectὅρασις: 'appearance, sight'; 'as to appearance' — the resemblance is visual radiance.
λίθῳstoneDativedative (object of ὅμοιος)λίθος: 'stone'; the generic 'stone' specified by the two gems following.
ἰάσπιδιjasperDativedative in apposition to λίθῳἴασπις: 'jasper'; in Revelation a clear, crystalline gem (cf. 21:11, 'clear as crystal') — brilliant, light-filled glory.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σαρδίῳcarnelianDativedative in apposition to λίθῳσάρδιον: 'carnelian, sardius'; a fiery red stone (cf. Exod 28:17, first and last of the high priest's breastplate gems).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἶριςa rainbowNominativesubject (verbless clause)ἶρις: 'rainbow, halo'; the encircling radiance recalling the bow round Ezekiel's throne-glory (Ezek 1:28) and the Noahic covenant (Gen 9:13–16).
κυκλόθενaroundimproper preposition + genitive (place)κυκλόθεν: 'all around, round about'; the bow completely encircles the throne.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with κυκλόθεν)θρόνος: 'throne'; the center the rainbow surrounds.
ὅμοιοςlikeNominativepredicate adjective (+ dative; masc. with fem. ἶρις, ad sensum)ὅμοιος: 'like'; the masculine form with feminine ἶρις is one of the chapter's solecisms.
ὁράσειin appearanceDativedative of respectὅρασις: 'appearance'; 'as to appearance,' as with the Enthroned One.
σμαραγδίνῳan emeraldDativedative (object of ὅμοιος)σμαράγδινος: 'emerald-green, of emerald' (cf. σμάραγδος, 21:19); the bow shimmers green, soft mercy round the throne.
4
καὶ κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου θρόνους εἴκοσι τέσσαρες, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς θρόνους εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πρεσβυτέρους καθημένους περιβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν στεφάνους χρυσοῦς.
And around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones twenty-four elders seated, clothed in white garments, and on their heads golden crowns.
The twenty-four elders enthronedκαὶThe heavenly court: twenty-four crowned, white-robed elders on thrones — likely the redeemed people of God (12 patriarchs + 12 apostles) or an angelic council, reigning and worshiping around the central throne.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κυκλόθενaroundimproper preposition + genitive (place)κυκλόθεν: 'all around'; the surrounding ring of subsidiary thrones.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with κυκλόθεν)θρόνος: 'throne'; the central throne, encircled.
θρόνουςthronesAccusativeaccusative (object of εἶδον carried over from v.1)θρόνος: 'throne'; twenty-four lesser thrones for the enthroned elders — shared royal dignity around God's rule.
εἴκοσιtwentyindeclinable numeral (with θρόνους)εἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable; with τέσσαρες makes the symbolic 24 (12 + 12).
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral adjective (nominative for accusative, solecism)τέσσαρες: 'four'; here in the nominative form where the accusative is expected — a characteristic Apocalyptic irregularity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπί + acc.: 'on, upon.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
θρόνουςthronesAccusativeobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne'; the same twenty-four thrones.
εἴκοσιtwentyindeclinable numeral (with πρεσβυτέρους)εἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable.
τέσσαραςfourAccusativenumeral adjective (accusative, with πρεσβυτέρους)τέσσαρες: 'four'; here correctly accusative, agreeing with πρεσβυτέρους.
πρεσβυτέρουςeldersAccusativeaccusative (object of εἶδον)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the twenty-four enthroned elders — the worshiping, reigning representatives of the redeemed (or heavenly council).
καθημένουςseatedPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · κάθημαιpredicate participle (modifies πρεσβυτέρους)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; the elders 'seated' — enthroned in dignity, sharing in rule.
περιβεβλημένουςclothedPerf Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · περιβάλλωpredicate participle (modifies πρεσβυτέρους)→ perfect (resultant state)περιβάλλω: 'clothe, wrap around'; the perfect-middle 'having clothed themselves' — robed in white, the garb of purity and victory (cf. 3:5, 18; 7:9).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (clothing idiom)
ἱματίοιςgarmentsDativeobject of ἐν (clothing)ἱμάτιον: 'garment, robe'; the festal white robes of the heavenly court.
λευκοῖςwhiteDativeattributive adjectiveλευκός: 'white, bright'; purity, glory, and triumph (a leitmotif of the Apocalypse).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
κεφαλὰςheadsAccusativeobject of ἐπίκεφαλή: 'head'; on which the crowns rest.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
στεφάνουςcrownsAccusativeaccusative (object of εἶδον)στέφανος: 'crown, wreath' (victor's garland, not royal diadem διάδημα); the reward-crowns soon to be cast down (v.10).
χρυσοῦςgoldenAccusativeattributive adjectiveχρυσοῦς: 'golden, of gold'; the gold of heavenly honor and glory.
5
καὶ ἐκ τοῦ θρόνου ἐκπορεύονται ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί· καὶ ἑπτὰ λαμπάδες πυρὸς καιόμεναι ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου, ἅ εἰσιν τὰ ἑπτὰ πνεύματα τοῦ θεοῦ,
And from the throne come flashes of lightning and voices and peals of thunder, and seven torches of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God,
Theophany and the seven spiritsκαὶSinai-like theophany issues from the throne (lightning, voices, thunder; cf. Exod 19:16; Ezek 1:13), and the seven burning torches are identified as the seven spirits of God — the fullness of the Spirit (cf. 1:4; 5:6; Zech 4).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ + gen.: 'out of, from'; the throne as the source of the theophanic phenomena.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θρόνος: 'throne'; the center from which power radiates.
ἐκπορεύονταιcome outPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb→ vivid present (descriptive)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go/come out, proceed'; the vivid present pictures the theophany streaming from the throne.
ἀστραπαὶflashes of lightningNominativesubjectἀστραπή: 'lightning, flash'; the storm-theophany of the divine presence (cf. 8:5; 11:19; 16:18).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φωναὶvoicesNominativesubjectφωνή: 'voice, sound'; here probably rumbling thunder-sounds attending the throne.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βρονταίpeals of thunderNominativesubjectβροντή: 'thunder'; with lightning and voices, the fixed triad of throne-theophany in Revelation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeral (with λαμπάδες)ἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable; the number of fullness/completion governing the book.
λαμπάδεςtorchesNominativesubject (verbless; ἦσαν implied)λαμπάς: 'torch, lamp'; the seven fiery torches before the throne (cf. Zech 4:2; Ezek 1:13).
πυρὸςof fireGenitivegenitive of material/qualityπῦρ: 'fire'; the torches are of/blazing with fire.
καιόμεναιburningPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Fem · καίωattributive participle (modifies λαμπάδες)→ present (ongoing)καίω: 'burn, kindle'; the lamps burn continuously before the throne.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in front of'; in the throne's presence.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with ἐνώπιον)θρόνος: 'throne'; before which the torches blaze.
ἅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of εἰσιν; neut. ad sensum)
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (relative clause)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the interpretive 'which are' identifying the symbol (cf. 1:20; 5:8).
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeral (with πνεύματα)ἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable.
πνεύματαspiritsNominativepredicate nominativeπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; the 'seven spirits of God' — the one Spirit in sevenfold fullness (cf. 1:4; 3:1; 5:6; Isa 11:2; Zech 4:6, 10).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/source genitiveθεός: 'God'; the Spirit belongs to and proceeds from God, sent into all the earth.
6
καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη ὁμοία κρυστάλλῳ. Καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου τέσσαρα ζῷα γέμοντα ὀφθαλμῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν.
And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
The sea of glass and the four living creaturesκαὶThe crystalline 'sea of glass' (the heavenly counterpart of the temple laver / firmament) stretches before the throne, and the four eye-covered living creatures — Ezekiel's cherubim (Ezek 1, 10) — guard the immediate presence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in front of.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with ἐνώπιον)θρόνος: 'throne'; before which the glassy sea lies.
ὡςsomething likecomparative particleὡς: 'like, as it were'; the cautious analogy for the heavenly 'sea.'
θάλασσαa seaNominativesubject (verbless; ἦν implied)θάλασσα: 'sea'; the calm, glassy expanse before the throne (cf. the bronze 'sea' of the temple, 1 Kgs 7:23; the firmament of Ezek 1:22).
ὑαλίνηof glassNominativeattributive adjectiveὑάλινος: 'glassy, of glass'; smooth, transparent, motionless — the very opposite of the restless 'sea' (cf. 15:2; 21:1).
ὁμοίαlikeNominativepredicate adjective (+ dative)ὅμοιος: 'like' (+ dat.); deepening the comparison.
κρυστάλλῳcrystalDativedative (object of ὁμοία)κρύσταλλος: 'crystal, ice'; clear and gleaming (cf. 22:1; Ezek 1:22, the firmament 'like crystal').
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
μέσῳthe midstDativeobject of ἐν (place)μέσος: 'middle, midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου — the creatures stand at the throne's very center-and-circumference, hard to localize.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with μέσῳ)θρόνος: 'throne.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κύκλῳaroundDativedative used adverbially (place)κύκλῳ: 'in a circle, around'; the fixed dative of κύκλος functioning as an adverb/preposition with the genitive.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with κύκλῳ)θρόνος: 'throne.'
τέσσαραfourNominativenumeral adjective (with ζῷα)τέσσαρες: 'four'; the four creatures, the four corners/winds — totality of the created order in worship.
ζῷαliving creaturesNominativesubject (verbless; ἦν/ἦσαν implied)ζῷον: 'living being, creature'; not 'beasts' (θηρία) but living ones — the cherubim of Ezek 1, 10 and seraphim of Isa 6 fused.
γέμονταfullPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · γέμωattributive participle (modifies ζῷα)→ present (ongoing state)γέμω: 'be full of' (+ gen.); covered all over with eyes — ceaseless, all-seeing vigilance.
ὀφθαλμῶνof eyesGenitivegenitive (with γέμοντα)ὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the eyes signify unsleeping perception (cf. Ezek 1:18; 10:12).
ἔμπροσθενin frontadverb (place)ἔμπροσθεν: 'in front, before'; the eyes cover the front.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὄπισθενbehindadverb (place)ὄπισθεν: 'behind, at the back'; and the back — full, all-round sight.
7
καὶ τὸ ζῷον τὸ πρῶτον ὅμοιον λέοντι, καὶ τὸ δεύτερον ζῷον ὅμοιον μόσχῳ, καὶ τὸ τρίτον ζῷον ἔχων τὸ πρόσωπον ὡς ἀνθρώπου, καὶ τὸ τέταρτον ζῷον ὅμοιον ἀετῷ πετομένῳ.
And the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature like an ox, and the third living creature had a face like a man's, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
The four facesκαὶThe four creatures, like Ezekiel's (Ezek 1:10), present the four faces — lion, ox, man, eagle — emblems of the noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest of living things, all of creation gathered in worship.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
ζῷονliving creatureNominativesubject (verbless; ἦν implied)ζῷον: 'living creature.'
τὸtheNominativearticle (attributive)
πρῶτονfirstNominativeattributive ordinal adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first.'
ὅμοιονlikeNominativepredicate adjective (+ dative)ὅμοιος: 'like' (+ dat.).
λέοντιa lionDativedative (object of ὅμοιον)λέων: 'lion'; the noblest and most royal of beasts (cf. 5:5).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
δεύτερονsecondNominativeattributive ordinal adjectiveδεύτερος: 'second.'
ζῷονliving creatureNominativesubjectζῷον: 'living creature.'
ὅμοιονlikeNominativepredicate adjective (+ dative)ὅμοιος: 'like.'
μόσχῳan oxDativedative (object of ὅμοιον)μόσχος: 'ox, calf, bullock'; the strongest of the domestic animals, the sacrificial beast.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
τρίτονthirdNominativeattributive ordinal adjectiveτρίτος: 'third.'
ζῷονliving creatureNominativesubjectζῷον: 'living creature.'
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωparticiple for finite verb (masc. with neut. ζῷον, solecism)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have'; the masculine ἔχων with neuter ζῷον — an Apocalyptic irregularity (ad sensum, the creature being personal).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνπρόσωπον: 'face, countenance'; the human face — the wisest, image-bearing creature.
ὡςlikecomparative particleὡς: 'like, as.'
ἀνθρώπουa man'sGenitivegenitive of comparison (after ὡς)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human being'; the third face, as in Ezek 1:10.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
τέταρτονfourthNominativeattributive ordinal adjectiveτέταρτος: 'fourth.'
ζῷονliving creatureNominativesubjectζῷον: 'living creature.'
ὅμοιονlikeNominativepredicate adjective (+ dative)ὅμοιος: 'like.'
ἀετῷan eagleDativedative (object of ὅμοιον)ἀετός: 'eagle'; the swiftest and highest-soaring — the fourth face (cf. 8:13; 12:14).
πετομένῳflyingPres Mid Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · πέτομαιattributive participle (modifies ἀετῷ)→ present (ongoing)πέτομαι: 'fly'; the eagle in mid-flight — swift, soaring service.
8
καὶ τὰ τέσσαρα ζῷα, ἓν καθ’ ἓν αὐτῶν ἔχων ἀνὰ πτέρυγας ἕξ, κυκλόθεν καὶ ἔσωθεν γέμουσιν ὀφθαλμῶν, καὶ ἀνάπαυσιν οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς λέγοντες· Ἅγιος ἅγιος ἅγιος κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ, ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος.
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings apiece, are full of eyes all around and within, and they have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."
The Trisagion: Holy, holy, holyκαὶThe cherubic-seraphic creatures (six wings, as Isa 6:2; all-eyes, as Ezek 1) lead heaven's ceaseless liturgy — the Trisagion of the thrice-holy Lord God Almighty, named by the timeless triad 'who was and is and is to come' (cf. 1:4, 8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
τέσσαραfourNominativenumeral adjective (with ζῷα)τέσσαρες: 'four.'
ζῷαliving creaturesNominativesubject (resumed)ζῷον: 'living creature.'
ἓνoneNominativedistributive (ἓν καθ’ ἕν, 'one by one')εἷς: 'one'; ἓν καθ’ ἕν = 'each one,' a distributive idiom.
καθ’bypreposition + accusative (distributive)κατά + acc.: distributive 'each, apiece.'
ἓνoneAccusativeobject of κατά (distributive)εἷς: 'one.'
αὐτῶνof themGenitivepartitive genitive
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωparticiple for finite verb (masc. sg. with neut. pl., solecism)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have'; the singular masculine ἔχων distributes over 'each one' — another characteristic irregularity.
ἀνὰapiecepreposition + accusative (distributive)ἀνά + acc.: distributive 'each, apiece' (ἀνὰ … ἕξ = 'six apiece').
πτέρυγαςwingsAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνπτέρυξ: 'wing'; six wings each, as the seraphim of Isa 6:2.
ἕξsixindeclinable numeral (with πτέρυγας)ἕξ: 'six'; indeclinable.
κυκλόθενall aroundadverb (place)κυκλόθεν: 'all around'; the eyes cover the outside.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσωθενwithinadverb (place)ἔσωθεν: 'from within, inside'; and the inside (perhaps under the wings) — eyes everywhere.
γέμουσινare fullPres Act Indic 3 Pl · γέμωmain verb→ stative presentγέμω: 'be full of' (+ gen.); the creatures are wholly covered with eyes.
ὀφθαλμῶνof eyesGenitivegenitive (with γέμουσιν)ὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the unsleeping all-perception of the throne-guardians.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνάπαυσινrestAccusativedirect object of ἔχουσινἀνάπαυσις: 'rest, cessation'; the creatures take no pause from their praise (cf. 14:11).
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχουσινthey havePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ customary presentἔχω: 'have'; 'have no rest' — the unending heavenly liturgy.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (within which)ἡμέρα: 'day'; ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός = 'by day and by night,' i.e. continually.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νυκτὸςnightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)νύξ: 'night'; with 'day,' the merism for ceaseless worship.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (masc. with neut. ζῷα, ad sensum)→ present (ongoing/iterative)λέγω: 'say'; introducing the unceasing acclamation; the masculine plural personifies the creatures.
ἍγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (acclamation; Trisagion 1)ἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the threefold ἅγιος (Isa 6:3) — the superlative of awe, God's transcendent holiness.
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (Trisagion 2)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the second cry of the Trisagion.
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (Trisagion 3)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the third cry — the consummate Hebrew superlative of the divine holiness (Isa 6:3).
κύριοςLordNominativesubject of the acclamationκύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH, here in the full theophanic title.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativeapposition to κύριοςθεός: 'God'; κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ is the chapter's full divine name (cf. 1:8; 11:17; 15:3).
ὁtheNominativearticle
παντοκράτωρAlmightyNominativeapposition to κύριος ὁ θεόςπαντοκράτωρ: 'Almighty, Ruler of all' (πᾶς + κρατέω); LXX for 'LORD of hosts' / 'Almighty' — sovereign over all (9× in Revelation).
ὁthe one whoNominativearticle (substantizes following clause)
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίfinite verb treated as a fixed title-element→ imperfect (past existence)εἰμί: 'be'; ὁ ἦν ('the [one who] was') — the indeclinable past member of the eternity-formula (the article frozen before a finite verb).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe one whoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὢνisPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίsubstantival participle (the present member of the formula)→ present (ongoing being)εἰμί: 'be'; ὁ ὤν ('the One who is') — echoing the divine name of Exod 3:14 LXX.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe one whoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐρχόμενοςis to comePres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιsubstantival participle (the future member; 'who comes')→ futuristic present (imminence)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; 'the Coming One' replaces a mere future 'will be' — God who comes in eschatological advent (cf. 1:4, 8).
9
Καὶ ὅταν δώσουσιν τὰ ζῷα δόξαν καὶ τιμὴν καὶ εὐχαριστίαν τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῷ θρόνῳ, τῷ ζῶντι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων,
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one seated on the throne, to the one who lives forever and ever,
Whenever the creatures give gloryκαὶA temporal protasis ('whenever…') whose apodosis is v.10: the creatures' praise triggers the elders' worship. God is named 'the One who lives forever and ever' — the Living One, source of all life.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτανwhenevertemporal conjunction (indefinite/iterative)ὅταν: 'whenever'; iterative — the elders' response recurs each time the creatures praise.
δώσουσινgiveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιverb in ὅταν-clause (future indicative for subjunctive, solecism)→ iterative futureδίδωμι: 'give'; the future indicative after ὅταν (for the expected subjunctive) is a Semitizing irregularity — denoting recurrent giving of praise.
τὰtheNominativearticle
ζῷαliving creaturesNominativesubjectζῷον: 'living creature.'
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect objectδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the radiant honor due to God (cf. v.11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τιμὴνhonorAccusativedirect objectτιμή: 'honor, worth'; the esteem rendered to the Enthroned.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐχαριστίανthanksAccusativedirect objectεὐχαριστία: 'thanksgiving, gratitude'; the creatures' grateful praise.
τῷto the oneDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθημένῳseatedPres Mid Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (indirect object)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; 'the One seated' — the recipient of all worship.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (position)ἐπί + dat.: 'on, upon'; here with the dative (varying from the accusative of vv.2, 4).
τῷtheDativearticle
θρόνῳthroneDativeobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne.'
τῷto the oneDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ζῶντιwho livesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ζάωsubstantival participle (apposition to τῷ καθημένῳ)→ present (ongoing/continual)ζάω: 'live'; 'the One who lives' — the Living God, fount of life (cf. 1:18; 10:6; Deut 32:40).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)εἰς + acc.: here of duration, 'unto, for.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰςαἰών: 'age'; εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ('unto the ages of the ages') = the Hebraic superlative for unending eternity.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitiveattributive (intensifying) genitiveαἰών: 'age'; the genitive plural intensifies — 'forever and ever.'
10
πεσοῦνται οἱ εἴκοσι τέσσαρες πρεσβύτεροι ἐνώπιον τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν τῷ ζῶντι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, καὶ βαλοῦσιν τοὺς στεφάνους αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου λέγοντες·
the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
The elders fall and cast their crownsasyndetonThe apodosis: the elders prostrate, worship the Ever-living, and cast their golden crowns (v.4) before the throne — surrendering their own honor and royal reward to the One alone worthy of it.
πεσοῦνταιfall downFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb (apodosis)→ iterative futureπίπτω: 'fall, fall down'; the gesture of prostrate worship (cf. 5:8, 14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4).
οἱtheNominativearticle
εἴκοσιtwentyindeclinable numeral (with πρεσβύτεροι)εἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable.
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral adjective (with πρεσβύτεροι)τέσσαρες: 'four'; the twenty-four elders.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubjectπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the enthroned twenty-four, now in worship.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of.'
τοῦthe oneGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθημένουseatedPres Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (with ἐνώπιον)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; 'the One seated,' before whom they prostrate.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position)ἐπί + gen.: 'on, upon'; the throne-position now with the genitive (the third construction John uses, vv.2, 9, 10).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitiveobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσκυνήσουσινworshipFut Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain verb (apodosis)→ iterative futureπροσκυνέω: 'worship, bow down before' (+ dat.); the act of adoration owed to God alone (cf. 19:10; 22:9).
τῷthe oneDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ζῶντιwho livesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ζάωsubstantival participle (object of προσκυνήσουσιν)→ present (ongoing/continual)ζάω: 'live'; 'the One who lives forever' — the object of worship.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)εἰς + acc.: duration, 'unto.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰςαἰών: 'age'; 'forever and ever.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitiveattributive (intensifying) genitiveαἰών: 'age'; intensifying genitive of eternity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βαλοῦσινcastFut Act Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb (apodosis)→ iterative futureβάλλω: 'throw, cast'; the elders lay down their crowns — total submission of their honor to God.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
στεφάνουςcrownsAccusativedirect objectστέφανος: 'crown, wreath'; their victor's crowns (v.4), surrendered before the throne.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in front of.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with ἐνώπιον)θρόνος: 'throne.'
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance→ present (ongoing)λέγω: 'say'; introducing the elders' hymn of v.11.
11
Ἄξιος εἶ, ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν, λαβεῖν τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν καὶ τὴν δύναμιν, ὅτι σὺ ἔκτισας τὰ πάντα, καὶ διὰ τὸ θέλημά σου ἦσαν καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν.
"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Worthy are you, our Lord and GodasyndetonThe elders' creation-hymn, the climax of the chapter: God is 'worthy' to receive glory, honor, and power because he is Creator — all things exist by his will. (The hymn anticipates the redemption-hymn of 5:9–12.)
ἌξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; the acclamation-word of the heavenly liturgy (cf. 5:9, 12) — God alone is worthy of worship.
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the direct address to God — 'Worthy you-are.'
ὁtheNominativearticle (nominative for vocative)
κύριοςLordNominativenominative of address (for vocative)κύριος: 'Lord'; the nominative-with-article serves as a reverent vocative (Semitic), addressing God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle (for vocative)
θεὸςGodNominativenominative of address (for vocative)θεός: 'God'; 'our Lord and God' — perhaps a pointed counter to Domitian's title dominus et deus.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession/relationship
λαβεῖνto receiveAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωepexegetical/complementary infinitive (with ἄξιος)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; God is worthy 'to receive' the worship rendered.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνδόξα: 'glory'; the articular 'the glory' — the glory that is properly his.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τιμὴνhonorAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖντιμή: 'honor.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δύναμινpowerAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνδύναμις: 'power, might'; the triad glory-honor-power ascribed to the Creator.
ὅτιforcausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because, for'; grounding the worthiness in God's act of creation.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; emphatic — 'you, and you alone, created.'
ἔκτισαςcreatedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · κτίζωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create, found'; the decisive act of creation, the ground of all worship in this hymn (contrast 5:9, redemption).
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect objectπᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα = 'the universe, all things' — the whole created order.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διὰbecause of/bypreposition + accusative (cause/ground)διά + acc.: 'because of, on account of'; here causal — 'by reason of your will.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
θέλημάwillAccusativeobject of διάθέλημα: 'will'; God's sovereign will as the cause both of existence and of creation.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἦσανthey existedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ imperfect (continued existence)εἰμί: 'be, exist'; 'they existed' — all things had their being by God's will (some witnesses read the present εἰσίν, 'they exist').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκτίσθησανwere createdAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create'; the passive 'were created' (by God) — the existence of v.11b grounded in the creative act, closing the inclusio with ἔκτισας.