1
Καὶ εἶδον ἐπὶ τὴν δεξιὰν τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου βιβλίον γεγραμμένον ἔσωθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν, κατεσφραγισμένον σφραγῖσιν ἑπτά.
And I saw on the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.
The throne-vision of ch. 4 continues: John's eye moves to the right hand of the Enthroned, where a sealed scroll holds the unrevealed purpose of God — the problem the whole chapter will resolve.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative καί)καί: the paratactic 'and' that drives Revelation's narrative, often echoing Hebrew wāw.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive'; εἶδον is the recurring seam of the apocalypse ('and I saw'), introducing each new vision.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position/upon)ἐπί + acc.: 'upon, on'; the scroll rests on (or against) the open right hand.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δεξιὰνright handAccusativeobject of ἐπίδεξιά: 'right hand'; the hand of power and bestowal — the scroll is held out as if to be given.
τοῦof the oneGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθημένουwho is seatedPres Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (possessive gen.)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit, be seated'; ὁ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου is Revelation's standing circumlocution for God (4:2–3, 9–10).
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitiveobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne'; the controlling image of chs. 4–5, the seat of cosmic sovereignty.
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of εἶδονβιβλίον: 'book, scroll'; here a sealed document — likely a will/testament or the deed of God's redemptive decree (cf. Ezek 2:9–10).
γεγραμμένονwrittenPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · γράφωattributive participle (modifying βιβλίον)→ perfect (abiding state of the writing)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect stresses the completed, fixed inscription standing on the scroll.
ἔσωθενwithinadverb (place)ἔσωθεν: 'from within, on the inside'; the scroll is inscribed on both faces — completely full, nothing to add.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὄπισθενon the backadverb (place)ὄπισθεν: 'behind, on the outside/back'; writing on the verso marks an opisthograph — the message overflows the page (cf. Ezek 2:10).
κατεσφραγισμένονsealed upPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · κατασφραγίζωattributive participle (modifying βιβλίον)→ perfect (settled state of being sealed)κατασφραγίζω: 'seal up firmly' (intensive κατά); the perfect underscores the scroll's inviolable secrecy until one worthy opens it.
σφραγῖσινwith sealsDativedative of means/instrumentσφραγίς: 'seal'; the seven seals secure the document utterly — perfect, complete closure.
ἑπτάsevenindeclinable numeral (modifying σφραγῖσιν)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the apocalypse's number of completeness — total, unbreakable sealing.
2
καὶ εἶδον ἄγγελον ἰσχυρὸν κηρύσσοντα ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Τίς ἄξιος ἀνοῖξαι τὸ βιβλίον καὶ λῦσαι τὰς σφραγῖδας αὐτοῦ;
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a great voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?'
A herald-angel issues a cosmic summons: who has the worthiness to break the seals? The question frames the chapter's drama and exposes the crisis of v.3.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative καί)
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the visionary refrain continues.
ἄγγελονan angelAccusativedirect objectἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; here a herald of the heavenly court.
ἰσχυρὸνmightyAccusativeattributive adjectiveἰσχυρός: 'strong, mighty'; the strength fits the voice that must reach the whole cosmos (cf. 10:1; 18:21).
κηρύσσονταproclaimingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · κηρύσσωadverbial participle (manner/attendant circ.)→ present (ongoing proclamation)κηρύσσω: 'proclaim as a herald, announce'; the loud public summons of a κῆρυξ.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner/instrument)ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ: a Semitic-flavored instrumental — 'with a great voice.'
φωνῇvoiceDativeobject of ἐν (manner)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; a keyword of Revelation's auditory drama.
μεγάλῃgreatDativeattributive adjectiveμέγας: 'great, loud'; the volume of a universal proclamation.
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the searching question whose answer is at first 'no one' (v.3).
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate nominativeἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; the chapter's leitmotif — the worthiness that only the Lamb possesses (vv.9, 12).
ἀνοῖξαιto openAor Act Inf · ἀνοίγωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιος)→ constative aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; to open the scroll is to set God's sealed purpose in motion (chs. 6–8).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of ἀνοῖξαιβιβλίον: 'scroll'; the sealed document of v.1.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λῦσαιto looseAor Act Inf · λύωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιος)→ constative aoristλύω: 'loose, break, undo'; to break the seals is to release the contents.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
σφραγῖδαςsealsAccusativedirect object of λῦσαισφραγίς: 'seal'; the seven seals of v.1, broken one by one in ch. 6.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
3
καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ οὐδὲ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς οὐδὲ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς ἀνοῖξαι τὸ βιβλίον οὔτε βλέπειν αὐτό.
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.
The threefold sweep of the cosmos — heaven, earth, under the earth — yields no one with the worthiness; the universal 'no one' deepens the crisis.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (emphatic)οὐδείς: 'no one, nobody'; the stark answer to the angel's 'who?' — none in all creation.
ἐδύνατοwas ableImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ imperfect (sustained inability)δύναμαι: 'be able'; the imperfect leaves the inability hanging — the search yields nothing.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐν (place)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; first of the three cosmic spheres — even the heavenly host cannot.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'nor, not even'; joining the negated spheres.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)γῆ: 'earth, land'; the second sphere — no living human is worthy.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
ὑποκάτωunderimproper preposition + genitive (place)ὑποκάτω: 'underneath, below'; the third sphere — the realm of the dead is no exception.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ὑποκάτωγῆ: 'earth'; 'under the earth' = the underworld, the dead.
ἀνοῖξαιto openAor Act Inf · ἀνοίγωcomplementary infinitive (with ἐδύνατο)→ constative aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; the act no creature can perform.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of ἀνοῖξαιβιβλίον: 'scroll'; still sealed and unread.
οὔτεnornegative conjunctionοὔτε: 'nor'; here 'not even' — the inability extends to merely looking.
βλέπεινto look atPres Act Inf · βλέπωcomplementary infinitive (with ἐδύνατο)→ present (durative)βλέπω: 'look at, see into'; not even to gaze upon its contents — the secret is wholly inaccessible.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object of βλέπειν
4
καὶ ἔκλαιον πολὺ ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἄξιος εὑρέθη ἀνοῖξαι τὸ βιβλίον οὔτε βλέπειν αὐτό.
And I was weeping much because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
The seer's grief measures the gravity: if the scroll stays sealed, God's redemptive purpose is stalled. The lament sets up the elder's consolation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔκλαιονI was weepingImpf Act Indic 1 Sg · κλαίωmain verb→ imperfect (continuous weeping)κλαίω: 'weep, wail'; the imperfect paints sustained, heavy grief.
πολὺmuchadverbial accusative (degree)πολύ: 'much, greatly'; the intensity of John's lament.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; giving the ground of the weeping.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'no one'; echoing v.3 — the search has failed.
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjective (with εὑρέθη)ἄξιος: 'worthy'; the recurring keyword — none qualifies.
εὑρέθηwas foundAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (ὅτι-clause)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the divine passive — no one was found (by God's search) worthy.
ἀνοῖξαιto openAor Act Inf · ἀνοίγωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιος)→ constative aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; the worthiness in view is worthiness to open.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of ἀνοῖξαιβιβλίον: 'scroll'.
οὔτεnornegative conjunctionοὔτε: 'nor, not even'.
βλέπεινto look atPres Act Inf · βλέπωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιος)→ present (durative)βλέπω: 'look at'; cf. v.3 — not even to gaze upon it.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object of βλέπειν
5
καὶ εἷς ἐκ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων λέγει μοι· Μὴ κλαῖε· ἰδοὺ ἐνίκησεν ὁ λέων ὁ ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Ἰούδα, ἡ ῥίζα Δαυίδ, ἀνοῖξαι τὸ βιβλίον καὶ τὰς ἑπτὰ σφραγῖδας αὐτοῦ.
And one of the elders says to me, 'Do not weep; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so as to open the scroll and its seven seals.'
An elder answers the lament with the gospel announcement: a conqueror has been found — the Lion of Judah, the Davidic Messiah, whose victory qualifies him to open the scroll. The titles raise expectation of a warrior-king (overturned in v.6).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἷςoneNominativesubject (numeral as substantive)εἷς: 'one'; one of the twenty-four elders of the heavenly court (4:4).
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (partitive)ἐκ: 'from, of'; partitive — one out of the group.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitiveobject of ἐκ (partitive)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the twenty-four enthroned elders, representatives of the redeemed people of God.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ historical present (vivid)λέγω: 'say'; the vivid present heightens the scene.
μοιto meDativeindirect object
Μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive)μή + pres. impv.: prohibition of an action in progress — 'stop weeping.'
κλαῖεweepPres Act Impv 2 Sg · κλαίωprohibitive imperative→ present imperative (cease ongoing action)κλαίω: 'weep'; μὴ κλαῖε — 'do not go on weeping,' the consolation formula.
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention-getter)ἰδού: 'look! behold!'; a Semitism summoning the eye to the great reversal.
ἐνίκησενhas conqueredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · νικάωmain verb→ consummative aorist (achieved victory)νικάω: 'conquer, overcome, be victorious' (the apocalypse's victory-verb, 2:7 etc.); Christ's decisive triumph at the cross qualifies him.
ὁtheNominativearticle
λέωνlionNominativesubject (in apposition develops)λέων: 'lion'; the Lion of Judah (Gen 49:9), royal-messianic emblem — heard, not seen; what John sees is a Lamb (v.6).
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (with prep. phrase, attributive)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φυλῆςtribeGenitiveobject of ἐκφυλή: 'tribe'; the tribe of Judah, lineage of the messianic king.
Ἰούδαof JudahGenitivegenitive (in apposition to φυλῆς)Ἰούδας: 'Judah'; cf. Gen 49:9–10, the lion's-whelp prophecy of kingship.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ῥίζαrootNominativeapposition (to ὁ λέων)ῥίζα: 'root, shoot'; 'the Root of David' (Isa 11:1, 10) — both source and offspring of David, the messianic title (cf. 22:16).
Δαυίδof DavidGenitivegenitive (relation, to ῥίζα)Δαυίδ: 'David'; indeclinable; the Davidic-royal pedigree of the Messiah.
ἀνοῖξαιto openAor Act Inf · ἀνοίγωinfinitive of result/purpose (with ἐνίκησεν)→ constative aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; the victory issues in the right to open the scroll — the reward of the conqueror.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of ἀνοῖξαιβιβλίον: 'scroll'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeral (modifying σφραγῖδας)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the complete set of seals.
σφραγῖδαςsealsAccusativedirect object of ἀνοῖξαι (by zeugma)σφραγίς: 'seal'; 'to open… the seven seals' — to break them all.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
6
καὶ εἶδον ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων ἀρνίον ἑστηκὸς ὡς ἐσφαγμένον, ἔχων κέρατα ἑπτὰ καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς ἑπτά, οἵ εἰσιν τὰ ἑπτὰ πνεύματα τοῦ θεοῦ ἀπεσταλμένοι εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν.
And I saw, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as though slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
The great reversal: the announced Lion is seen as a Lamb — and a slain one, yet standing (risen). Its seven horns (full power) and seven eyes (the Spirit's omniscient presence) mark omnipotence and omnipresence.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the seeing answers the hearing of v.5 — and overturns it.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)ἐν μέσῳ: 'in the midst of'; the Lamb stands at the very center of the throne-scene.
μέσῳthe midstDativeobject of ἐν (place)μέσος: 'middle, midst'; central position — the focal point of heaven's worship.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitivegenitive (with μέσῳ)θρόνος: 'throne'; the Lamb shares the throne's center.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
τεσσάρωνfourGenitiveattributive numeralτέσσαρες: 'four'; the four living creatures of 4:6–8.
ζῴωνliving creaturesGenitivegenitive (with μέσῳ)ζῷον: 'living creature' (cf. Ezek 1); the four cherubic guardians of the throne.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
μέσῳthe midstDativeobject of ἐν (place)μέσος: 'midst'; repeated to encircle the Lamb with the whole heavenly court.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitivegenitive (with μέσῳ)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the twenty-four elders surrounding the throne.
ἀρνίονa LambAccusativedirect object of εἶδονἀρνίον: 'lamb' (diminutive of ἀρήν); the dominant christological title of Revelation (28×) — the Paschal/sacrificial Lamb.
ἑστηκὸςstandingPerf Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ἵστημιattributive participle (modifying ἀρνίον)→ perfect (standing state = risen, alive)ἵστημι (perf. intrans.): 'stand'; the slain Lamb stands — the paradox of the crucified-and-risen Christ, alive forevermore.
ὡςas thoughcomparative particleὡς: 'as, as though'; not unreal but characterizing — bearing the marks of slaughter.
ἐσφαγμένονslainPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · σφάζωattributive participle (modifying ἀρνίον)→ perfect (slain, its effect abiding)σφάζω: 'slay, slaughter' (esp. sacrificially); the perfect — slaughtered once, the wounds still borne by the living Lamb.
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωadverbial/attributive participle (Revelation solecism: nom. for acc.)→ present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have, possess'; the nominative ἔχων (not acc. agreeing with ἀρνίον) is one of Revelation's characteristic solecisms.
κέραταhornsAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνκέρας: 'horn'; biblical symbol of power/strength — seven horns = complete, perfect power.
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeral (modifying κέρατα)ἑπτά: 'seven'; fullness of power.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; seven eyes = perfect sight/knowledge, here identified with the Spirit (cf. Zech 4:10).
ἑπτάsevenindeclinable numeral (modifying ὀφθαλμούς)ἑπτά: 'seven'; fullness of knowledge.
οἵwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of εἰσιν)ὅς: relative; masc. plural, agreeing ad sensum with the Spirits rather than with neuter ὀφθαλμούς.
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; equating the seven eyes with the seven Spirits.
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἑπτὰsevenindeclinable numeral (modifying πνεύματα)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the sevenfold Spirit (cf. 1:4; 4:5).
πνεύματαSpiritsNominativepredicate nominativeπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the 'seven Spirits' — the Holy Spirit in fullness (Zech 4; Isa 11:2).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitiveθεός: 'God'; the Spirits belong to God and are sent by the Lamb.
ἀπεσταλμένοιsent outPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποστέλλωattributive/predicate participle (with πνεύματα)→ perfect (sent, remaining at work)ἀποστέλλω: 'send out, commission'; masc. ad sensum; the Spirit dispatched throughout the earth (Zech 4:10) — the Lamb's omnipresent agency.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (extent/goal)
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, whole'; the worldwide scope of the Spirit's mission.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνearthAccusativeobject of εἰςγῆ: 'earth'; the whole earth, the field of the Spirit's sending.
7
καὶ ἦλθεν καὶ εἴληφεν ἐκ τῆς δεξιᾶς τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου.
And he came and took it from the right hand of the one seated on the throne.
The decisive act: the Lamb approaches the throne and takes the scroll — the climax that unleashes the worship of vv.8–14. The shift to the perfect εἴληφεν freezes the moment in lasting significance.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἦλθενhe cameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; the Lamb moves to the throne to receive the scroll.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἴληφενtookPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ dramatic/perfect (decisive act with abiding effect)λαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; the perfect (against the surrounding aorists) dramatizes the taking — its result stands forever (he holds the scroll).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
δεξιᾶςright handGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)δεξιά: 'right hand'; the same hand of v.1, now yielding its scroll to the Lamb.
τοῦof the oneGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθημένουwho is seatedPres Mid Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (possessive gen.)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; God, ὁ καθήμενος (cf. v.1) — the Lamb shares his prerogatives.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitiveobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne'; the seat of God.
8
καὶ ὅτε ἔλαβεν τὸ βιβλίον, τὰ τέσσαρα ζῷα καὶ οἱ εἴκοσι τέσσαρες πρεσβύτεροι ἔπεσαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ ἀρνίου, ἔχοντες ἕκαστος κιθάραν καὶ φιάλας χρυσᾶς γεμούσας θυμιαμάτων, αἵ εἰσιν αἱ προσευχαὶ τῶν ἁγίων.
And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
The Lamb's taking of the scroll triggers worship: the cherubim and elders prostrate themselves with harps and incense-bowls, the latter glossed as the prayers of the saints — heaven's liturgy gathers up the church's intercession.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunctionὅτε: 'when'; marking the moment that prompts the worship.
ἔλαβενhe tookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωverb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; resuming v.7 to anchor the worship in the taking.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβενβιβλίον: 'scroll'.
τὰtheNominativearticle
τέσσαραfourNominativeattributive numeralτέσσαρες: 'four'.
ζῷαliving creaturesNominativesubjectζῷον: 'living creature'; the four cherubic guardians.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
εἴκοσιtwentyNominativecardinal numeral (with τέσσαρες, modifying πρεσβύτεροι)εἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable in form; with τέσσαρες = twenty-four (4:4).
τέσσαρεςfourNominativeattributive numeralτέσσαρες: 'four'; with εἴκοσι = twenty-four elders (4:4).
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubjectπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the enthroned representatives of the redeemed.
ἔπεσανfell downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall, fall down'; prostration in worship before the Lamb (cf. 4:10).
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of'; the posture of homage.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀρνίουLambGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονἀρνίον: 'Lamb'; now the object of worship due to God alone.
ἔχοντεςholdingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; masc. plural by constructio ad sensum (the worshippers as persons).
ἕκαστοςeachNominativedistributive (in apposition to subject)ἕκαστος: 'each, every one'; distributing the harp and bowls to each worshipper.
κιθάρανa harpAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςκιθάρα: 'lyre, harp'; the instrument of heavenly praise (cf. 14:2; 15:2).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φιάλαςbowlsAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςφιάλη: 'bowl, shallow cup'; censer-bowls for incense (contrast the wrath-bowls of ch. 16).
χρυσᾶςgoldenAccusativeattributive adjectiveχρυσοῦς: 'golden'; the gold of the heavenly sanctuary.
γεμούσαςfull ofPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Fem · γέμωattributive participle (modifying φιάλας)→ present (state of fullness)γέμω: 'be full of' (+ gen.); the bowls brim with incense.
θυμιαμάτωνincenseGenitivegenitive of content (with γεμούσας)θυμίαμα: 'incense, fragrant offering'; symbolizing prayer rising to God (Ps 141:2).
αἵwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of εἰσιν)ὅς: relative; fem. plural, antecedent φιάλας (the bowls/incense) interpreted.
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the explanatory equation typical of apocalyptic vision.
αἱtheNominativearticle
προσευχαὶprayersNominativepredicate nominativeπροσευχή: 'prayer'; the saints' prayers, presented before God as incense (cf. 8:3–4).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίωνsaintsGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the believers, whose prayers heaven cherishes.
9
καὶ ᾄδουσιν ᾠδὴν καινὴν λέγοντες· Ἄξιος εἶ λαβεῖν τὸ βιβλίον καὶ ἀνοῖξαι τὰς σφραγῖδας αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐσφάγης καὶ ἠγόρασας τῷ θεῷ ἐν τῷ αἵματί σου ἐκ πάσης φυλῆς καὶ γλώσσης καὶ λαοῦ καὶ ἔθνους,
And they sing a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and purchased for God by your blood [people] from every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
The new song of redemption answers the angel's question of v.2: the Lamb is worthy — and the ground (ὅτι) is his slaughter and the universal purchase of a people by his blood. Worthiness rests on redemptive sacrifice, not mere might.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ᾄδουσινthey singPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ᾄδωmain verb→ descriptive present (vivid)ᾄδω: 'sing'; the heavenly choir's song of praise to the Lamb.
ᾠδὴνsongAccusativecognate/direct objectᾠδή: 'song, ode'; a 'new song' of the new act of redemption (cf. Ps 33:3; 96:1; 144:9).
καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new, fresh' (qualitatively new); the song fitting the new redemptive era inaugurated by the Lamb.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωadverbial participle (manner; introduces direct speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the participle introducing the words of the song.
ἌξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy'; the answer to v.2 — the Lamb alone is worthy.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (direct address)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the acclamation addressed to the Lamb.
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιος)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; worthy to take the scroll (cf. v.7).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βιβλίονscrollAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνβιβλίον: 'scroll'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνοῖξαιto openAor Act Inf · ἀνοίγωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιος)→ constative aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; worthy to open the seals.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
σφραγῖδαςsealsAccusativedirect object of ἀνοῖξαισφραγίς: 'seal'.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounding the worthiness in the redemptive acts that follow.
ἐσφάγηςyou were slainAor Pass Indic 2 Sg · σφάζωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristσφάζω: 'slay, slaughter'; the once-for-all sacrificial death — the basis of all that follows.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἠγόρασαςyou purchasedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀγοράζωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristἀγοράζω: 'buy, purchase' (the marketplace verb of redemption); the Lamb bought a people at the price of his blood. (The TR/Byzantine adds ἡμᾶς 'us'; the earliest text omits, leaving the object implied — 'people' from every nation.)
τῷforDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedative of advantage/possessionθεός: 'God'; the redeemed are purchased 'for God' — his own possession.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (price/means)ἐν: 'by, at the price of'; instrumental — the blood as purchase price.
τῷtheDativearticle
αἵματίbloodDativeobject of ἐν (price/means)αἷμα: 'blood'; the Lamb's life-blood, the ransom price (cf. 1:5; 1 Pet 1:18–19).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)ἐκ: 'from, out of'; the redeemed drawn out of every people-group.
πάσηςeveryGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; the universal scope of the redemption.
φυλῆςtribeGenitiveobject of ἐκφυλή: 'tribe'; first of the fourfold totality of humankind (cf. 7:9).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γλώσσηςtongueGenitiveobject of ἐκγλῶσσα: 'tongue, language'; people defined by speech.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λαοῦpeopleGenitiveobject of ἐκλαός: 'people'; an ethnic-religious community.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔθνουςnationGenitiveobject of ἐκἔθνος: 'nation, people'; the fourth term — together a comprehensive sweep of all humanity.
10
καὶ ἐποίησας αὐτοὺς τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν βασιλείαν καὶ ἱερεῖς, καὶ βασιλεύσουσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
and made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign upon the earth.'
The redemption's purpose: the purchased people become a kingdom and priests to God (Exod 19:6) and will reign on the earth — a royal-priestly destiny answering the ascription of worthiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐποίησαςyou madeAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (continuing the ὅτι-ground of v.9)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make, do'; the Lamb's redemption constitutes the redeemed into a new corporate identity.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect objectαὐτούς: 'them'; the third-person reading (so the earliest text), the redeemed spoken of as a group, against the Byzantine ἡμᾶς ('us').
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedative of advantageθεός: 'God'; the redeemed belong to and serve God.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possessionἡμῶν: 'our'; the choir's own confession — 'our God.'
βασιλείανa kingdomAccusativeobject complement (predicate acc.)βασιλεία: 'kingdom, royal people'; from Exod 19:6 — the redeemed as a kingdom (cf. 1:6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativeobject complement (predicate acc.)ἱερεύς: 'priest'; the redeemed are a priesthood serving God (Exod 19:6; cf. 1:6; 20:6).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βασιλεύσουσινthey shall reignFut Act Indic 3 Pl · βασιλεύωmain verb→ predictive futureβασιλεύω: 'reign, be king'; the future (so the printed text) points to the redeemed reigning on earth (cf. 20:4–6; 22:5); variants read the present βασιλεύουσιν or 1st-pl. βασιλεύσομεν.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)γῆ: 'earth'; the locus of the redeemed's future reign.
11
Καὶ εἶδον, καὶ ἤκουσα φωνὴν ἀγγέλων πολλῶν κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῶν ζῴων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, καὶ ἦν ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτῶν μυριάδες μυριάδων καὶ χιλιάδες χιλιάδων,
And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
The circle of worship widens: from the inner court to innumerable angels encircling the throne. The hyperbolic 'myriads of myriads' signals a praise beyond counting (cf. Dan 7:10).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶδονI lookedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, look'; the visionary refrain again opens a new scene.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἤκουσαI heardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; seeing and hearing together register the vast angelic chorus.
φωνὴνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσαφωνή: 'voice, sound'; the collective voice of the angelic host.
ἀγγέλωνof angelsGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveἄγγελος: 'angel'; the heavenly armies join the praise.
πολλῶνmanyGenitiveattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'many'; understatement for the number then specified.
κύκλῳaroundimproper preposition + genitive (place)κύκλῳ: 'around, in a circle'; the angels form an outer ring beyond the elders and creatures.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitiveobject of κύκλῳθρόνος: 'throne'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ζῴωνliving creaturesGenitiveobject of κύκλῳζῷον: 'living creature'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitiveobject of κύκλῳπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ imperfect (descriptive)εἰμί: 'be'; describing the countless number.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀριθμὸςnumberNominativesubjectἀριθμός: 'number, count'; here innumerable.
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive of possession
μυριάδεςmyriadsNominativepredicate nominativeμυριάς: 'myriad, ten thousand'; 'myriads of myriads' = countless (Dan 7:10).
μυριάδωνof myriadsGenitivegenitive (intensifying)μυριάς: the doubling intensifies — beyond reckoning.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativepredicate nominativeχιλιάς: 'thousand'; 'thousands of thousands' — paired hyperbole.
χιλιάδωνof thousandsGenitivegenitive (intensifying)χιλιάς: the doubling stresses immeasurable multitude.
12
λέγοντες φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Ἄξιόν ἐστιν τὸ ἀρνίον τὸ ἐσφαγμένον λαβεῖν τὴν δύναμιν καὶ πλοῦτον καὶ σοφίαν καὶ ἰσχὺν καὶ τιμὴν καὶ δόξαν καὶ εὐλογίαν.
saying with a great voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.'
The angelic acclamation crowns the slain Lamb with a sevenfold ascription — a complete ascription of all worth. Worthiness, again, is grounded in the slaughter (τὸ ἐσφαγμένον).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωadverbial participle (Revelation solecism: nom. after gen. ἀγγέλων)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the nominative λέγοντες, though the antecedent ἀγγέλων is genitive, is a characteristic Revelation solecism.
φωνῇwith a voiceDativedative of mannerφωνή: 'voice'; the loud, unison cry of the host.
μεγάλῃgreatDativeattributive adjectiveμέγας: 'great, loud'.
ἌξιόνworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy'; the leitmotif, now in the angels' mouths.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; 'worthy is the Lamb' — the acclamation in the third person (contrast v.9's address).
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἀρνίονLambNominativesubjectἀρνίον: 'Lamb'; the worthy one.
τὸthe oneNominativearticle (with attributive ptc.)
ἐσφαγμένονwho was slainPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · σφάζωattributive participle (modifying ἀρνίον)→ perfect (slain, its effect abiding)σφάζω: 'slay, slaughter'; the marks of slaughter are the very ground of the Lamb's worthiness (cf. v.6, 9).
λαβεῖνto receiveAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωepexegetical infinitive (defining ἄξιον)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; worthy to receive the sevenfold ascription.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δύναμινpowerAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνδύναμις: 'power, ability'; first of the seven attributes ascribed (the single article governs the series).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πλοῦτονwealthAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνπλοῦτος: 'wealth, riches'; abundance ascribed to the Lamb.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνσοφία: 'wisdom'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰσχὺνmightAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνἰσχύς: 'strength, might'; near-synonym of δύναμις, intensifying the praise.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τιμὴνhonorAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖντιμή: 'honor, value'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνδόξα: 'glory, splendor'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐλογίανblessingAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖνεὐλογία: 'blessing, praise'; the seventh and climactic term — a complete, sevenfold ascription.
13
καὶ πᾶν κτίσμα ὃ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα, ἤκουσα λέγοντας· Τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῷ θρόνῳ καὶ τῷ ἀρνίῳ ἡ εὐλογία καὶ ἡ τιμὴ καὶ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.
And every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, I heard saying, 'To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.'
The widest circle: the whole created order — the same threefold cosmos of v.3, now with the sea — joins in praise. Crucially, God and the Lamb are worshipped together, in a single fourfold doxology with one verb implied.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (object, anticipating ἤκουσα)πᾶς: 'every, all'; the universal scope — no creature excluded.
κτίσμαcreatureAccusativeobject of ἤκουσα (resumed by λέγοντας)κτίσμα: 'created thing, creature'; the whole of creation.
ὃthat isNominativerelative pronoun (subject, copula implied)ὅς: relative; 'which is' (verb of being understood).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐνοὐρανός: 'heaven'; first of the cosmic spheres.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπίγῆ: 'earth'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑποκάτωunderimproper preposition + genitive (place)ὑποκάτω: 'underneath'; the underworld (cf. v.3).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ὑποκάτωγῆ: 'earth'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
θαλάσσηςseaGenitiveobject of ἐπίθάλασσα: 'sea'; the fourth realm added — the cosmos in its totality.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival; in apposition to πᾶν κτίσμα)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν
πάνταallAccusativeattributive/substantival adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; summing up — all that the spheres contain.
ἤκουσαI heardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the seer hears the universal doxology.
λέγονταςsayingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · λέγωsupplementary participle (object complement of ἤκουσα; masc. ad sensum)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; masc. plural ad sensum (creatures as persons), governed by ἤκουσα.
Τῷto the oneDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθημένῳwho is seatedPres Mid Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (recipient, dat. of advantage)→ present (ongoing state)κάθημαι: 'sit'; God, ὁ καθήμενος — worshipped together with the Lamb.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (position)
τῷtheDativearticle
θρόνῳthroneDativeobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῷtheDativearticle
ἀρνίῳLambDativerecipient (dat. of advantage)ἀρνίον: 'Lamb'; placed alongside God as the joint object of worship — a striking christological claim.
ἡtheNominativearticle
εὐλογίαblessingNominativesubject (verbless ascription)εὐλογία: 'blessing, praise'; first of a fourfold ascription (the articles mark each as 'the' due praise).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
τιμὴhonorNominativesubject (verbless ascription)τιμή: 'honor'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (verbless ascription)δόξα: 'glory'.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
κράτοςdominionNominativesubject (verbless ascription)κράτος: 'might, dominion, power to rule'; the fourth term — sovereign power.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰς (extent of time)αἰών: 'age, eternity'; 'unto the ages of the ages' = forever and ever.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitivegenitive (intensifying)αἰών: 'age'; the Semitic superlative for unending eternity.
14
καὶ τὰ τέσσαρα ζῷα ἔλεγον· Ἀμήν. καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἔπεσαν καὶ προσεκύνησαν.
And the four living creatures said, 'Amen.' And the elders fell down and worshipped.
The inner court seals the cosmic doxology: the cherubim's 'Amen' ratifies it, and the elders fall in silent worship — the liturgy of chs. 4–5 closes on adoration of God and the Lamb.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
τέσσαραfourNominativeattributive numeralτέσσαρες: 'four'.
ζῷαliving creaturesNominativesubjectζῷον: 'living creature'; the cherubic guardians lead the ratification.
ἔλεγονsaidImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ imperfect (descriptive/iterative)λέγω: 'say'; the imperfect suggests the repeated, resounding 'Amen.'
ἈμήνAmenindeclinable affirmation (transliterated Hebrew)ἀμήν: 'amen, so be it' (Heb. אמן); the liturgical ratification of the doxology.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubjectπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the twenty-four, in closing worship.
ἔπεσανfell downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall down'; prostration in worship (cf. v.8; 4:10).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσεκύνησανworshippedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain verb→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'worship, do obeisance, prostrate oneself'; the climactic act of adoration — directed to God and the Lamb together.