KJV: And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
YLT: And I did turn to see the voice that did speak with me, and having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands,
Darby: And I turned back to see the voice which spoke with me; and having turned, I saw seven golden lamps,
ASV: And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks;
| ἐπέστρεψα | I turned |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: ἐπιστρέφω Sense: transitively. |
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| βλέπειν | to see |
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Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active Root: βλέπω Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye. |
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| φωνὴν | voice |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: φωνή Sense: a sound, a tone. |
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| ἥτις | that |
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Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: ὅστις Sense: whoever, whatever, who. |
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| ἐλάλει | was speaking |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἀπολαλέω Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound. |
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| ἐμοῦ | me |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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| ἐπιστρέψας | having turned |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἐπιστρέφω Sense: transitively. |
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| εἶδον | I saw |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: εἶδον Sense: to see with the eyes. |
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| ἑπτὰ | seven |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural Root: ἑπτά Sense: seven. |
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| λυχνίας | lampstands |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural Root: λυχνία Sense: a (candlestick) lamp stand, candelabrum. |
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| χρυσᾶς | golden |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural Root: χρύσεος Sense: golden. |
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Greek Commentary for Revelation 1:12
The voice put for the person speaking. [source]
First aorist active participle of επιστρεπω epistrephō from which also επεστρεπσα epestrepsa just before, for which verb see Acts 15:36; Acts 16:18.Seven golden candlesticks (επτα λυχνιας χρυσας hepta luchnias chrusas). See Matthew 5:15 for λυχνια luchnia (lampstand). Symbols of the seven churches as explained in Revelation 1:20. See Exodus 25:35. for description of a seven-branched candlestick, but here the lampstands are separate. [source]
See Matthew 5:15 for λυχνια luchnia (lampstand). Symbols of the seven churches as explained in Revelation 1:20. See Exodus 25:35. for description of a seven-branched candlestick, but here the lampstands are separate. [source]
The voice is put for the speaker. [source]
The compound relative has a qualitative force: of what sort. [source]
The preposition implies conversation and not mere address. [source]
See on Matthew 5:15. We are at once reminded of the seven-branched candlestick of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:31; Hebrews 9:2; compare Zechariah 4:2). Here there is not one candlestick with seven branches, but seven candlesticks, representing the Christian Church. The Jewish Church was one, as being the Church of a single people. The Christian Church, though essentially one, is a Church composed of many peoples. It is no longer outwardly one or in one place. According to the literal meaning of the word, lampstand, the several lampstands are bearers of the light (Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:16), “holding forth the word of life” (Philemon 2:15, Philemon 2:16). The epithet golden, so common in Revelation, indicates the preciousness of all that pertains to the Church of God. Trench observes that throughout the ancient East there was a sense of sacredness attached to this metal, which still, to a great extent, survives. Thus, golden in the Zend Avesta is throughout synonymous with heavenly or divine. Even so late as the time of David gold was not used as a standard of value, but merely as a very precious article of commerce, and was weighed. In the Scriptures it is the symbol of great value, duration, incorruptibility, strength (Isaiah 13:12; Lamentations 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:20; Job 36:19). It is used metaphorically of Christian character (Revelation 3:18). In the Earthly Paradise, Dante describes trees like gold.“A little farther on, seven trees of goldIn semblance the long space still intervening Between ourselves and them did counterfeit.”“Purgatorio,” xxix., 43-45 [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 1:12
Cf. Exodus 20:18 and Revelation 1:12 “to see the voice” “It is one thing to see a storm from the deck of a stout ship, another to see it in the midst of the waves” (Bruce). Peter was actually beginning to sink It was a dramatic moment that wrung from Peter the cry: “Lord, save me” (Κυριε σωσον με Kurie sōson me), and do it quickly the aorist means. He could walk on the water till he saw the wind whirl the water round him. [source]
Rend. lampstand. See on Matthew 5:15; see on Revelation 1:12. Description in Exodus 25:31-37. Comp. Zechariah 4:1-14. [source]
The allusion may be partly to the pot of manna which was laid up in the ark in the sanctuary. See Exodus 16:32-34; compare Hebrews 9:4. That the imagery of the ark was familiar to John appears from Revelation 11:19. This allusion however is indirect, for the manna laid up in the ark was not for food, but was a memorial of food once enjoyed. Two ideas seem to be combined in the figure: 1. Christ as the bread from heaven, the nourishment of the life of believers, the true manna, of which those who eat shall never die (John 6:31-43, John 6:48-51); hidden, in that He is withdrawn from sight, and the Christian's life is hid with Him in God (Colossians 3:3). 2. The satisfaction of the believer's desire when Christ shall be revealed. The hidden manna shall not remain for ever hidden. We shall see Christ as He is, and be like Him (1 John 3:2). Christ gives the manna in giving Himself “The seeing of Christ as He is, and, through this beatific vision, being made like to Him, is identical with the eating of the hidden manna, which shall, as it were, be then brought forth from the sanctuary, the holy of holies of God's immediate presence where it was withdrawn from sight so long, that all may partake of it; the glory of Christ, now shrouded and concealed, being then revealed to His people” (Trench). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- This is one of numerous illustrations of the dependence of Revelation upon Old Testament history and prophecy. “To such an extent is this the case,” says Professor Milligan, “that it may be doubted whether it contains a single figure not drawn from the Old Testament, or a single complete sentence not more or less built up of materials brought from the same source.” See, for instance, Balaam (Revelation 2:14); Jezebel (Revelation 2:20); Michael (Revelation 12:7, compare Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1); Abaddon (Revelation 9:11); Jerusalem, Mt. Zion, Babylon, the Euphrates, Sodom, Egypt (Revelation 21:2; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 9:14; Revelation 11:8); Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:8, compare Revelation href="/desk/?q=re+2:7&sr=1">Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:27, Revelation 2:28). Heaven is described under the figure of the tabernacle in the wilderness (Revelation 11:1, Revelation 11:19; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 4:6). The song of the redeemed is the song of Moses (Revelation 15:3). The plagues of Egypt appear in the blood, fire, thunder, darkness and locusts (Revelation 8:1-13). “The great earthquake of chapter 6 is taken from Haggai; the sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair and the moon becoming blood (Revelation 8:1-13) from Joel: the stars of heaven falling, the fig-tree casting her untimely figs, the heavens departing as a scroll (Revelation 8:1-13) from Isaiah: the scorpions of chapter 9 from Ezekiel: the gathering of the vine of the earth (chapter 14) from Joel, and the treading of the wine-press in the same chapter from Isaiah.” So too the details of a single vision are gathered out of different prophets or different parts of the same prophet. For instance, the vision of the glorified Redeemer (Revelation 1:12-20). The golden candlesticks are from Exodus and Zechariah; the garment down to the foot from Exodus and Daniel; the golden girdle and the hairs like wool from Isaiah and Daniel; the feet like burnished brass, and the voice like the sound of many waters, from Ezekiel; the two-edged sword from Isaiah and Psalms; the countenance like the sun from Exodus; the falling of the seer as dead from Exodus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel; the laying of Jesus' right hand on the seer from Daniel. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- “Not indeed that the writer binds himself to the Old Testament in a slavish spirit. He rather uses it with great freedom and independence, extending, intensifying, or transfiguring its descriptions at his pleasure. Yet the main source of his emblems cannot be mistaken. The sacred books of his people had been more than familiar to him. They had penetrated his whole being. They had lived within him as a germinating seed, capable of shooting up not only in the old forms, but in new forms of life and beauty. In the whole extent of sacred and religious literature there is to be found nowhere else such a perfect fusion of the revelation given to Israel with the mind of one who would either express Israel's ideas, or give utterance, by means of the symbols supplied by Israel's history, to the present and most elevated thoughts of the Christian faith “(this note is condensed from Professor Milligan's “Baird Lectures on the Revelation of St. John”).A white stone ( ψῆφον λευκὴν )See on counteth, Luke 14:28; and see on white, Luke 9:29. The foundation of the figure is not to be sought in Gentile but in Jewish customs. “White is everywhere the color and livery of heaven” (Trench). See Revelation 1:14; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 14:14; Revelation 19:8, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 19:14; Revelation 20:11. It is the bright, glistering white. Compare Matthew 28:3; Luke 24:4; John 20:12; Revelation 20:11; Daniel 7:9. It is impossible to fix the meaning of the symbol with any certainty. The following are some of the principal views: The Urim and Thummim concealed within the High-Priest's breastplate of judgment. This is advocated by Trench, who supposes that the Urim was a peculiarly rare stone, possibly the diamond, and engraven with the ineffable name of God. The new name he regards as the new name of God or of Christ (Revelation 3:12); some revelation of the glory of God which can be communicated to His people only in the higher state of being, and which they only can understand who have actually received. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Professor Milligan supposes an allusion to the plate of gold worn on the High-Priest's forehead, and inscribed with the words “Holiness to the Lord,” but, somewhat strangely, runs the figure into the stone or pebble used in voting, and regards the white stone as carrying the idea of the believer's acquittal at the hands of God. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Dean Plumptre sees in the stone the signet by which, in virtue of its form or of the characters inscribed on it, he who possessed it could claim from the friend who gave it, at any distance of time, a frank and hearty welcome; and adds to this an allusion to the custom of presenting such a token, with the guest's name upon it, of admission to the feast given to those who were invited to partake within the temple precincts - a feast which consisted wholly or in part of sacrificial meats. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Others, regarding the connection of the stone with the manna, refer to the use of the lot cast among the priests in order to determine which one should offer the sacrifice. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Others, to the writing of a candidate's name at an election by ballot upon a stone or bean. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- In short, the commentators are utterly divided, and the true interpretation remains a matter of conjecture.A new nameSome explain the new name of God or of Christ (compare Revelation 3:12); others, of the recipient's own name. “A new name however, a revelation of his everlasting title as a son of God to glory in Christ, but consisting of and revealed in those personal marks and signs of God's peculiar adoption of himself, which he and none other is acquainted with” (Alford). Bengel says: “Wouldst thou know what kind of a new name thou wilt obtain? Overcome. Before that thou wilt ask in vain, and after that thou wilt soon read it inscribed on the white stone.” [source]
Dative case as in a letter (Galatians 1:1). John is writing, but the revelation is from God and Christ through an angel. It is the Roman province of Asia which included the western part of Phrygia. There were churches also at Troas (Acts 20:5.) and at Colossal and Hierapolis (Colossians 1:1; Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:13) and possibly at Magnesia and Tralles. But these seven were the best points of communication with seven districts (Ramsay) and, besides, seven is a favorite number of completion (like the full week) in the book (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:16; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:6; Revelation 8:2; Revelation 10:3; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 14:6.). [source]
Deissmann has proven (Bible Studies, p. 217f.; Light, etc., p. 357ff.) from inscriptions and papyri that the word κυριακος kuriakos was in common use for the sense “imperial” as imperial finance and imperial treasury and from papyri and ostraca that ημερα Σεβαστη hēmera Sebastē (Augustus Day) was the first day of each month, Emperor‘s Day on which money payments were made (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1.). It was easy, therefore, for the Christians to take this term, already in use, and apply it to the first day of the week in honour of the Lord Jesus Christ‘s resurrection on that day (Didache 14, Ignatius Magn. 9). In the N.T. the word occurs only here and 1 Corinthians 11:20 It has no reference to ημερα κυριου hēmera kuriou (the day of judgment, 2 Peter 3:10).Behind me (οπισω μου opisō mou). “The unexpected, overpowering entrance of the divine voice” (Vincent). Cf. Ezekiel 3:12.Voice Of Christ, as is plain in Revelation 1:12.As of a trumpet (ως σαλπιγγος hōs salpiggos). So in Revelation 4:1 referring to this.Saying Present active participle genitive case agreeing with σαλπιγγος salpiggos rather than λεγουσαν legousan accusative agreeing with πωνην phōnēn So on purpose, as is clear from Revelation 4:1, where λαλουσης lalousēs also agrees with σαλπιγγος salpiggos f0). [source]
Of Christ, as is plain in Revelation 1:12.As of a trumpet (ως σαλπιγγος hōs salpiggos). So in Revelation 4:1 referring to this.Saying Present active participle genitive case agreeing with σαλπιγγος salpiggos rather than λεγουσαν legousan accusative agreeing with πωνην phōnēn So on purpose, as is clear from Revelation 4:1, where λαλουσης lalousēs also agrees with σαλπιγγος salpiggos f0). [source]
Masculine accusative retained without attraction to case of αστερων asterōn (genitive, ων hōn).In my right hand (επι της δεχιας μου epi tēs dexias mou). Or “upon,” but εν τηι en tēi etc., in Revelation 1:16.And the seven golden candlesticks “The seven lampstands the golden,” identifying the stars of Revelation 1:16 with the lampstands of Revelation 1:12. The accusative case here is even more peculiar than the accusative absolute μυστηριον mustērion since the genitive λυχνιων luchniōn after μυστηριον mustērion is what one would expect. Charles suggests that John did not revise his work.The angels of the seven churches (αγγελοι των επτα εκκλησιων aggeloi tōn hepta ekklēsiōn). Anarthrous in the predicate (angels of, etc.). “The seven churches” mentioned in Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11. Various views of αγγελος aggelos here exist. The simplest is the etymological meaning of the word as messenger from αγγελλω aggellō (Matthew 11:10) as messengers from the seven churches to Patmos or by John from Patmos to the churches (or both). Another view is that αγγελος aggelos is the pastor of the church, the reading την γυναικα σου tēn gunaika sou (thy wife) in Revelation 2:20 (if genuine) confirming this view. Some would even take it to be the bishop over the elders as επισχοπος episcopos in Ignatius, but a separate αγγελος aggelos in each church is against this idea. Some take it to be a symbol for the church itself or the spirit and genius of the church, though distinguished in this very verse from the churches themselves (the lampstands). Others take it to be the guardian angel of each church assuming angelic patrons to be taught in Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15. Each view is encompassed with difficulties, perhaps fewer belonging to the view that the “angel” is the pastor.Are seven churches These seven churches (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11) are themselves lampstands (Revelation 1:12) reflecting the light of Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12) in the midst of which Christ walks (Revelation 1:13). [source]
These seven churches (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11) are themselves lampstands (Revelation 1:12) reflecting the light of Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12) in the midst of which Christ walks (Revelation 1:13). [source]
Nominative again after the ιδου idou construction, just before, not after, ειδον eidon golden crown Here a golden wreath, not the diadems of Revelation 19:12.A sharp sickle (δρεπανον οχυ drepanon oxu). Old form δρεπανη drepanē (from δρεπω drepō to pluck), pruning-hook, in N.T. only in this chapter and Mark 4:29. Christ is come for reaping this time (Hebrews 9:28) for the harvesting of earth (Revelation 14:15-17). The priesthood of Christ is the chief idea in Revelation 1:12-20 and “as the true Imperator ” (Swete) in chapter Rev 19. [source]
Old form δρεπανη drepanē (from δρεπω drepō to pluck), pruning-hook, in N.T. only in this chapter and Mark 4:29. Christ is come for reaping this time (Hebrews 9:28) for the harvesting of earth (Revelation 14:15-17). The priesthood of Christ is the chief idea in Revelation 1:12-20 and “as the true Imperator ” (Swete) in chapter Rev 19. [source]
“The seven lampstands the golden,” identifying the stars of Revelation 1:16 with the lampstands of Revelation 1:12. The accusative case here is even more peculiar than the accusative absolute μυστηριον mustērion since the genitive λυχνιων luchniōn after μυστηριον mustērion is what one would expect. Charles suggests that John did not revise his work.The angels of the seven churches (αγγελοι των επτα εκκλησιων aggeloi tōn hepta ekklēsiōn). Anarthrous in the predicate (angels of, etc.). “The seven churches” mentioned in Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11. Various views of αγγελος aggelos here exist. The simplest is the etymological meaning of the word as messenger from αγγελλω aggellō (Matthew 11:10) as messengers from the seven churches to Patmos or by John from Patmos to the churches (or both). Another view is that αγγελος aggelos is the pastor of the church, the reading την γυναικα σου tēn gunaika sou (thy wife) in Revelation 2:20 (if genuine) confirming this view. Some would even take it to be the bishop over the elders as επισχοπος episcopos in Ignatius, but a separate αγγελος aggelos in each church is against this idea. Some take it to be a symbol for the church itself or the spirit and genius of the church, though distinguished in this very verse from the churches themselves (the lampstands). Others take it to be the guardian angel of each church assuming angelic patrons to be taught in Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15. Each view is encompassed with difficulties, perhaps fewer belonging to the view that the “angel” is the pastor.Are seven churches These seven churches (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11) are themselves lampstands (Revelation 1:12) reflecting the light of Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12) in the midst of which Christ walks (Revelation 1:13). [source]
No ειδον eidon here, but the accusative follows the ειδον eidon at the beginning, as νεπελη nephelē is nominative after ιδου idou as in Revelation 4:1, Revelation 4:4.Like unto a son of man (ομοιον υιον αντρωπου homoion huion anthrōpou). Accusative here after ομοιον homoion as in Revelation 1:13, instead of the usual associative instrumental (Revelation 13:4).Having Nominative again after the ιδου idou construction, just before, not after, ειδον eidon golden crown Here a golden wreath, not the diadems of Revelation 19:12.A sharp sickle (δρεπανον οχυ drepanon oxu). Old form δρεπανη drepanē (from δρεπω drepō to pluck), pruning-hook, in N.T. only in this chapter and Revelation 14:15-17. Christ is come for reaping this time (Hebrews 9:28) for the harvesting of earth (Mark 4:29). The priesthood of Christ is the chief idea in Revelation 1:12-20 and “as the true Imperator ” (Swete) in chapter Rev 19. [source]
Purpose clause with ινα hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of μετρεω metreō The rod of gold was in keeping with the dignity of the service of God (Revelation 1:12; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 15:7). [source]
First aorist active indicative of πωτιζω phōtizō to illumine, old verb from πως phōs (Luke 11:36). If the sun and moon did shine, they would give no added light in the presence of the Shekinah Glory of God. See Revelation 21:11 for “the glory of God.” Cf. Revelation 18:1; Revelation 21:3. “Their splendour is simply put to shame by the glory of God Himself” (Charles).And the lamp thereof is the Lamb (και ο λυχνος αυτης το αρνιον kai ho luchnos autēs to arnion). Charles takes ο λυχνος ho luchnos as predicate, “and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.” Bousset thinks that John means to compare Christ to the moon the lesser light (Genesis 1:16), but that contrast is not necessary. Swete sees Christ as the one lamp for all in contrast with the many λυχνιαι luchniai of the churches on earth (Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:20). “No words could more clearly demonstrate the purely spiritual character of St. John‘s conception of the New Jerusalem” (Swete). [source]
Charles takes ο λυχνος ho luchnos as predicate, “and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.” Bousset thinks that John means to compare Christ to the moon the lesser light (Genesis 1:16), but that contrast is not necessary. Swete sees Christ as the one lamp for all in contrast with the many λυχνιαι luchniai of the churches on earth (Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:20). “No words could more clearly demonstrate the purely spiritual character of St. John‘s conception of the New Jerusalem” (Swete). [source]
Change in the panorama, not chronology (Revelation 7:1, Revelation 7:9; Revelation 15:5; Revelation 18:1; Revelation 19:1). This vision is of heaven, not of earth as was true of chapters Rev 1; 2. The first vision of Christ and the messages to the seven churches began in Revelation 1:12. This new vision of the throne in heaven (Revelation 4:1-11) succeeds that to which it here alludes. [source]
Imperfect active of κλαιω klaiō picturesque, descriptive, I kept on weeping much; natural tense in these vivid visions (Revelation 1:12; Revelation 2:14; Revelation 5:4, Revelation 5:14; Revelation 6:8, Revelation 6:9; Revelation 10:10; Revelation 19:14; Revelation 21:15). Perhaps weeping aloud. [source]