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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 a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those that won the victory over the beast, and over his image and over the number of his name, standing upon the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Rev. 15:2)
e
Ezek. 1:5•  (Ezek. 1:5)
,etc.;
Ezek. 10:14•  (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 a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those that won the victory over the beast, and over his image and over the number of his name, standing upon the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Rev. 15:2)
;
Ex. 38:8•  (Ex. 38:8)
;
1 Kings 7:23•  (1 Kings 7:23)
crystal.
Rev. 21:11• 11Its light {i}was{/i} like a stone most precious, as a jasper stone clear as crystal; (Rev. 21:11)
;
Rev. 22:1• 1And he showed me a river of water of life bright as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. (Rev. 22:1)
;
Job 28:17•  (Job 28:17)
;
Ezek. 1:22•  (Ezek. 1:22)
the midst.
Rev. 5:6• 6And 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 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 that is in the midst of the throne shall tend them and shall lead them to fountains of waters of life, and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:17)
;
Ezek. 1:4‑5•  (Ezek. 1:4‑5)
four beasts.
Rev. 4:8‑9• 8And the four living creatures, having each of them six wings, round about and within are full of eyes; and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty that was and that is and that is to come.
 9And when the living creatures shall give glory and honour and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne unto the ages of the ages, (Rev. 4:8‑9)
;
Rev. 5:6,14• 6And 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 slain, having seven horns and seven eyes which are the [seven] Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
 14And the four living creatures said, Amen: and the elders fell down and worshipped. (Rev. 5:6,14)
;
Rev. 6:1• 1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, Come. (Rev. 6:1)
;
Rev. 7:11• 11And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell before the throne upon their faces, and worshipped God, (Rev. 7:11)
;
Rev. 14:3• 3and they sing [as] a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song but the hundred forty {i}and{/i} four thousand that were bought from the earth. (Rev. 14:3)
;
Rev. 15:7• 7And one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls, full of the indignation of God that liveth unto the ages of the ages. (Rev. 15:7)
;
Rev. 19:4• 4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia! (Rev. 19:4)
;
Ezek. 1:5‑28•  (Ezek. 1:5‑28)
;
Ezek. 10:14•  (Ezek. 10:14)
full.
Rev. 4:8• 8And the four living creatures, having each of them six wings, round about and within are full of eyes; and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty that was and that is and that is to come. (Rev. 4:8)
;
Ezek. 1:18•  (Ezek. 1:18)
;
Ezek. 10:12•  (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.