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Revelation 4

Rev. 4:6 KJV (With Strong’s)

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6
And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
before
enopion (Greek #1799)
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: before, in the presence (sight) of, to.
Pronounce: en-o'-pee-on
Origin: neuter of a compound of 1722 and a derivative of 3700
the throne
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
thronos (Greek #2362)
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
KJV usage: seat, throne.
Pronounce: thron'-os
Origin: from θράω (to sit)
there was a sea
thalassa (Greek #2281)
the sea (genitive case or specially)
KJV usage: sea.
Pronounce: thal'-as-sah
Origin: probably prolonged from 251
c of glass
hualinos (Greek #5193)
glassy, i.e. transparent
KJV usage: of glass.
Pronounce: hoo-al'-ee-nos
Origin: from 5194
like unto
homoios (Greek #3664)
similar (in appearance or character)
KJV usage: like, + manner.
Pronounce: hom'-oy-os
Origin: from the base of 3674
crystal
krustallos (Greek #2930)
ice, i.e. (by analogy) rock "crystal"
KJV usage: crystal.
Pronounce: kroos'-tal-los
Origin: from a derivative of κρύος (frost)
: and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
the midst
mesos (Greek #3319)
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
KJV usage: among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way.
Pronounce: mes'-os
Origin: from 3326
of the throne
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
thronos (Greek #2362)
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
KJV usage: seat, throne.
Pronounce: thron'-os
Origin: from θράω (to sit)
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
round about
kukloi (Greek #2945)
i.e. in a circle (by implication, of 1722), i.e. (adverbially) all around
KJV usage: round about.
Pronounce: koo'-klo
Origin: as if dative case of κύκλος (a ring, "cycle"; akin to 2947)
the throne
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
thronos (Greek #2362)
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
KJV usage: seat, throne.
Pronounce: thron'-os
Origin: from θράω (to sit)
, were four
tessares (Greek #5064)
four
KJV usage: four.
Pronounce: tes'-sar-es
Origin: τέσσαρα (tes'-sar-ah) a plural number
beasts
zoon (Greek #2226)
a live thing, i.e. an animal
KJV usage: beast.
Pronounce: dzo'-on
Origin: neuter of a derivative of 2198
e full of
gemo (Greek #1073)
to swell out, i.e. be full
KJV usage: be full.
Pronounce: ghem'-o
Origin: a primary verb
eyes
ophthalmos (Greek #3788)
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
KJV usage: eye, sight.
Pronounce: of-thal-mos'
Origin: from 3700
before
emprosthen (Greek #1715)
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
KJV usage: against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of.
Pronounce: em'-pros-then
Origin: from 1722 and 4314
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
behind
opisthen (Greek #3693)
from the rear (as a secure aspect), i.e. at the back (adverb and preposition of place or time)
KJV usage: after, backside, behind.
Pronounce: op'-is-then
Origin: from ὄπις (regard; from 3700) with enclitic of source
.
c
Rev. 15:2• 2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Rev. 15:2)
e
Ezek. 1:5• 5Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. (Ezek. 1:5)
,etc.;
Ezek. 10:14• 14And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. (Ezek. 10:14)

More on:

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Beast,
Crystal,
Glass; Looking Glass,
Sea of Glass,
Throne

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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a sea.
Rev. 15:2• 2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Rev. 15:2)
;
Ex. 38:8• 8And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Ex. 38:8)
;
1 Kings 7:23• 23And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. (1 Kings 7:23)
crystal.
Rev. 21:11• 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Rev. 21:11)
;
Rev. 22:1• 1And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Rev. 22:1)
;
Job 28:17• 17The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. (Job 28:17)
;
Ezek. 1:22• 22And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. (Ezek. 1:22)
the midst.
Rev. 5:6• 6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Rev. 5:6)
;
Rev. 7:17• 17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Rev. 7:17)
;
Ezek. 1:4‑5• 4And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
 5Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. (Ezek. 1:4‑5)
four beasts.
Rev. 4:8‑9• 8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
 9And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (Rev. 4:8‑9)
;
Rev. 5:6,14• 6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
 14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Rev. 5:6,14)
;
Rev. 6:1• 1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (Rev. 6:1)
;
Rev. 7:11• 11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, (Rev. 7:11)
;
Rev. 14:3• 3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Rev. 14:3)
;
Rev. 15:7• 7And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. (Rev. 15:7)
;
Rev. 19:4• 4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Rev. 19:4)
;
Ezek. 1:5‑28• 5Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
 6And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
 7And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished brass.
 8And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
 9Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
 10As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
 11Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
 12And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
 13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
 14And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
 15Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
 16The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the color of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
 17When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
 18As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
 19And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
 20Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
 21When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
 22And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
 23And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
 24And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
 25And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
 26And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
 27And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
 28As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezek. 1:5‑28)
;
Ezek. 10:14• 14And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. (Ezek. 10:14)
full.
Rev. 4:8• 8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Rev. 4:8)
;
Ezek. 1:18• 18As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. (Ezek. 1:18)
;
Ezek. 10:12• 12And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. (Ezek. 10:12)
• They would appear to be symbols of the executors of the government of God. They are four in number, probably indicating the completeness of God's government flowing out to every quarter of the globe. " Full of eyes " would symbolize the fullness of discernment in God's government from which nothing is hid. (“Lectures on Revelation 4” by W. Kelly)
• Here the sea has become glass like unto crystal, a symbol of the fixed and absolute purity of the throne. (“Revelation 4: The Throne” by H. Smith)
• The cherubim and the living creatures are the same substantially; they must be carefully distinguished from the beasts we read of afterwards. (“Revelation 4: The Throne” by H. Smith)
• No altar of sacrifice is in view, as if it were a time of approach; the brazen laver has glass instead of water. It is a fixed, accomplished holiness, not cleansing of feet. (“Revelation 4: The Throne” by H. Smith)
• Sea of Glass: Solid purity, in contrast with the water of the laver (Ex. 30:17-21). (“Revelation 4 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)
• Four Beasts [living creatures]: God’s attributes in judicial and governmental power on earth. Types of power, firmness, intelligence, and rapidity of execution. (“Revelation 4 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)

J. N. Darby Translation

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6
and before the throne, as a glass sea, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and arounde the throne, four living creatures, full of eyes, before and behind;

JND Translation Notes

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e
I use "round" for what is connected with anything (not necessarily united to it) as a centre, as the tire of a wheel, but "around" is used for detached objects encircling.

W. Kelly Translation

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6
and before the throne as a sea of glassa like crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, four living creaturesb full of eyes before and behind:

WK Translation Notes

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a
"Glassy" is a mistranslation. The structure of the Greek word points to the material in contrast with water. It is the more important, because its force symbolically depends on its true meaning; and those who miss that meaning slip into all sorts of aberrations from the truth intended. It was symbolic of fixed purity, not of purifying as now by the word ({vi 126701}{/vi}, {vi 129306}{/vi}). The saints in both cases, though otherwise distinct in relationship, time, place and circumstances, were beyond the need of the process. It was done and their course on earth closed.
b
In the RV "living creatures" justly displaces the strange reading "beasts," given by Wycliffe, which survived in all the successive English versions down to the KJV.