The Meaning of Revelation 6:16 Explained

Revelation 6:16

KJV: And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

YLT: and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of Him who is sitting upon the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb,'

Darby: and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and have us hidden from the face of him that sits upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

ASV: and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  said  to the mountains  and  rocks,  Fall  on  us,  and  hide  us  from  the face  of him that sitteth  on  the throne,  and  from  the wrath  of the Lamb: 

What does Revelation 6:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Revelation 6:9-17 - "the Wrath Of The Lamb"
This imagery is very majestic; but we cannot really think that the holy martyrs desire to be revenged, except in love and grace. That their persecutors should be forgiven in Pentecosts of revival must be the highest conception of vengeance that they permit themselves to have. The striking command that they should rest, each enclothed in a white robe of acceptance and purity, until the full roll of martyrs is complete, suggests that every age must yield its tale of those who love not their lives unto the death, because they love the Master so much more. We, too, have our daily martyrdoms, for it may be harder to live for Jesus always against continued opposition and scorn than to die once for Him.
Revelation 9:1-21; Revelation 10:1-11 answer to Matthew 24:6-7. Revelation 12:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18 to Matthew 24:29-30. Probably the words here refer, not to the final judgment, but to those revolutionary changes which always accompany the closing of one era and the opening of another; Hebrews 12:26-27. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 6

1  The First Seal: Rider on White Horse
3  The Second Seal: War
5  The Third Seal: Famine
7  The Fourth Seal: Death
9  The Fifth Seal: Martyrs
12  The Sixth Seal: Terror

Greek Commentary for Revelation 6:16

They say [λεγουσιν]
Vivid dramatic present active indicative, as is natural here. [source]
Fall on us [Πεσατε επ ημας]
Second aorist (first aorist ending) imperative of πιπτω — piptō tense of urgency, do it now.And hide us (και κρυπσατε ημας — kai krupsate hēmās). Same tense of urgency again from κρυπτω — kruptō (verb in Revelation 6:15). Both imperatives come in inverted order from Hosea 10:8 with καλυπσατε — kalupsate (cover) in place of κρυπσατε — krupsate (hide), quoted by Jesus on the way to the Cross (Luke 23:30) in the order here, but with καλυπσατε — kalupsate not κρυπσατε — krupsate the face of him that (απο προσωπου του — apo prosōpou tou etc.). “What sinners dread most is not death, but the revealed Presence of God” (Swete). Cf. Genesis 3:8.And from the wrath of the Lamb Repetition of “the grave irony” (Swete) of Revelation 5:5. The Lamb is the Lion again in the terribleness of his wrath. Recall the mourning in Revelation 1:7. See Matthew 25:41. where Jesus pronounces the woes on the wicked. [source]
And hide us [και κρυπσατε ημας]
Same tense of urgency again from κρυπτω — kruptō (verb in Revelation 6:15). Both imperatives come in inverted order from Hosea 10:8 with καλυπσατε — kalupsate (cover) in place of κρυπσατε — krupsate (hide), quoted by Jesus on the way to the Cross (Luke 23:30) in the order here, but with καλυπσατε — kalupsate not κρυπσατε — krupsate the face of him that “What sinners dread most is not death, but the revealed Presence of God” (Swete). Cf. Genesis 3:8. [source]
And from the wrath of the Lamb [και απο της οργης του αρνιου]
Repetition of “the grave irony” (Swete) of Revelation 5:5. The Lamb is the Lion again in the terribleness of his wrath. Recall the mourning in Revelation 1:7. See Matthew 25:41. where Jesus pronounces the woes on the wicked. [source]
Said [λέγουσιν]
Lit., say. So Rev. [source]
Fall on us []
Compare Hosea 10:8; Luke 23:30. [source]
Wrath [ὀργῆς]
Denoting a deep-seated wrath. See on John 3:36. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 6:16

John 3:36 The wrath of God [ὀργὴ τοῦ Θεοῦ]
Both ὀργὴ and θυμός are used in the New Testament for wrath or anger, and without any commonly observed distinction. Ὁργη denotes a deeper and more permanent sentiment; a settled habit of mind; while θυμός is a more turbulent, but temporary agitation. Both words are used in the phrase wrath of God, which commonly denotes a distinct manifestation of God's judgment (Romans 1:18; Romans 3:5; Romans 9:22; Romans 12:19). Ὁργὴ (not θυμός ) also appears in the phrase the wrath to come (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:16, etc.). Compare wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16). [source]
John 1:29 The Lamb [ὁ ἀμνὸς]
The word occurs in John only here and in John 1:36. Also in Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19. The diminutive ἀρνίον , a little lamb, is found once in the Gospel (John 21:15), often in Revelation, but only of the glorified Redeemer, and nowhere else in the New Testament. In some instances the word may emphasize the gentle and innocent character of Jesus suffering to expiate the sins of men (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 13:8); but it is also employed in describing Him as indignant (Revelation 6:16); as victorious (Revelation 17:4); as the object of adoration (Revelation 5:8); and as enthroned (Revelation 5:13; Revelation 7:17). The term, the Lamb of God (note the article), is evidently used here by the Baptist in some sense understood by his hearers, and points to Isaiah 53:7; compare Acts 8:32. The reference is probably to the Paschal lamb, though commentators differ. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:9 From the presence [ἀπὸ προσώπου]
Or face. Ἁπὸ fromhas simply the sense of separation. Not from the time of the Lord's appearing, nor by reason of the glory of his presence. Πρόσωπον is variously translated in A.V. Mostly face: also presence, Acts 3:13, Acts 3:19; Acts 5:41: person, Matthew 22:16; Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6: appearance, 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 10:1: fashion, James 1:11. The formula ἀπὸ προσώπου or τοῦ προσώπου occurs Acts 3:19; Acts 5:41; Acts 7:45; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 20:11. In lxx, Genesis 3:8; Genesis 4:14, Genesis 4:16; Exodus 14:25, and frequently. [source]
Revelation 4:2 One sitting []
He is called henceforward throughout the book He that sitteth on the throne, and is distinguished from the Son in Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:10, and from the Holy Spirit in Revelation 4:5. He is commonly understood to be God the Father; but some understand the triune God. [source]
Revelation 20:11 A great white throne [τρονον μεγαν λευκον]
Here μεγαν — megan (great) is added to the throne pictures in Revelation 4:4; Revelation 20:4. The scene is prepared for the last judgment often mentioned in the N.T. (Matt 25:31-46; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). “The absolute purity of this Supreme Court is symbolized by the colour of the Throne” (Swete) as in Daniel 7:9; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 97:2. The name of God is not mentioned, but the Almighty Father sits upon the throne (Revelation 4:2., Revelation 4:9; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:7, Revelation 5:13; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:10, Revelation 7:15; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 21:5), and the Son sits there with him (Hebrews 1:3) and works with the Father (John 5:19-21; John 10:30; Matthew 25:31.; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1). [source]
Revelation 4:2 Was set [εκειτο]
Imperfect middle of κειμαι — keimai old verb, used as passive of τιτημι — tithēmi As the vision opens John sees the throne already in place as the first thing in heaven. This bold imagery comes chiefly from 1 Kings 22:19; Isaiah 6:1.; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9. One should not forget that this language is glorious imagery, not actual objects in heaven. God is spirit. The picture of God on the throne is common in the O.T. and the N.T. (Matthew 5:34.; Matthew 23:22; Hebrews 1:3 and in nearly every chapter in the Revelation, Revelation 1:4, etc.). The use of κατημενος — kathēmenos (sitting) for the name of God is like the Hebrew avoidance of the name επι τον τρονον — Jahweh and is distinguished from the Son in Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:10.Upon the throne (Επι — epi ton thronon). επι του τρονου — Epi with the accusative, as in Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:4.; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 20:4, but in Revelation 4:9, Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:7; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:15 we have επι τωι τρονωι — epi tou thronou (genitive), while in Revelation 7:10; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 21:5 we have epi tōi thronōi (locative) with no great distinction in the resultant idea. [source]
Revelation 4:2 Upon the throne [Επι]
επι του τρονου — Epi with the accusative, as in Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:4.; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 20:4, but in Revelation 4:9, Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:7; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:15 we have επι τωι τρονωι — epi tou thronou (genitive), while in Revelation 7:10; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 21:5 we have epi tōi thronōi (locative) with no great distinction in the resultant idea. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 6:16 mean?

And they say to the mountains to the rocks Fall on us hide from [the] face of the [One] sitting on the throne the wrath of the Lamb
καὶ λέγουσιν τοῖς ὄρεσιν ταῖς πέτραις Πέσετε ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς κρύψατε ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς ὀργῆς τοῦ Ἀρνίου

λέγουσιν  they  say 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὄρεσιν  mountains 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ὄρος  
Sense: a mountain.
ταῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πέτραις  rocks 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: πέτρα  
Sense: a rock, cliff or ledge.
Πέσετε  Fall 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πίπτω 
Sense: to descend from a higher place to a lower.
ἡμᾶς  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
κρύψατε  hide 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κρύπτω  
Sense: to hide, conceal, to be hid.
προσώπου  [the]  face 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: πρόσωπον  
Sense: the face.
τοῦ  of  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
καθημένου  sitting 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κάθημαι  
Sense: to sit down, seat one’s self.
θρόνου  throne 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θρόνος  
Sense: a throne seat.
ὀργῆς  wrath 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ὀργή  
Sense: anger, the natural disposition, temper, character.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἀρνίου  Lamb 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ἀρνίον  
Sense: .