A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 10
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 10
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 10
"And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;" — Revelation 10:1 (ASV)
Another strong angel (αλλον αγγελον ισχυρον). But the seventh trumpet does not sound till 11:15. This angel is not one of the seven or of the four, but like the other strong angel in 5:2; 18:21 or the other angel in 14:6,15. The sixth trumpet of 9:13 ends in 9:21. The opening of the seventh seal was preceded by two visions (chapter Re 7) and so here the sounding of the seventh trumpet (11:15) is preceded by a new series of visions (10:1-11:14).
Coming down out of heaven (καταβαινοντα εκ του ουρανου). Present active participle of καταβαινω picturing the process of the descent as in 20:1 (cf. 3:12).
Arrayed with a cloud (περιβεβλημενον νεφελην). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω with accusative case retained as in 7:9,13. Not proof that this angel is Christ, though Christ will come on the clouds (1:7) as he ascended on a cloud (Acts 1:9). God's chariot is in the clouds (Psalms 104:3), but this angel is a special messenger of God's.
The rainbow (η ιρις). See 4:3 for this word. The construction here is changed from the accusative to the nominative.
As the sun (ως ο ηλιος). The very metaphor applied to Christ in 1:16.As pillars of fire (ως στυλο πυρος). Somewhat like the metaphor of Christ in 1:15, but still no proof that this angel is Christ. On στυλος see 3:12; Galatians 2:9.
"and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;" — Revelation 10:2 (ASV)
And he had (κα εχων). This use of the participle in place of ειχεν (imperfect) is like that in 4:7f.; 12:2; 19:12; 21:12,14, a Semitic idiom (Charles), or as if καταβαινων (nominative) had preceded in place of καταβαινοντα.
A little book (βιβλαριδιον). A diminutive of βιβλαριον (papyri), itself a diminutive of βιβλιον (5:1) and perhaps in contrast with it, a rare form in Hermas and Re 10:2,9,10. In 10:8 Tischendorf reads βιβλιδαριον, diminutive of βιβλιδιον (Aristophanes) instead of βιβλιον (Westcott and Hort). The contents of this little book are found in 11:1-13.
Open (ηνεωιγμενον). See Eze 2:9f. Perfect (triple reduplication) passive participle of ανοιγω, in contrast to the closed book in 5:1. There also we have επ (upon) την δεξιαν (the right hand), for it was a large roll, but here the little open roll is held in the hand (εν τη χειρ), apparently the left hand (verse 5).
He set (εθηκεν). First aorist active indicative of τιθημ. The size of the angel is colossal, for he bestrides both land and sea. Apparently there is no special point in the right foot (τον ποδα τον δεξιον) being on the sea (επ της θαλασσης) and the left (τον ευωνυμον) upon the land (επ της γης). It makes a bold and graphic picture.
As a lion roareth (ωσπερ λεων μυκατα). Only instance of ωσπερ in the Apocalypse, but ως in the same sense several times. Present middle indicative of μυκαομα, an old onomatopoetic word from μυ or μοο (the sound which a cow utters), common for the lowing and bellowing of cattle, Latin mugire, but in Theocritus for the roaring of a lion as here, though in 1 Peter 5:8 we have ωρυομα. Homer uses μυκαομα for the clangour of the shield and Aristophanes for thunder. It occurs here alone in the N.T. It does not mean that what the angel said was unintelligible, only loud. Cf. 1:10; 5:2,12; 6:10; 7:2,10, etc.
"and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices." — Revelation 10:3 (ASV)
The seven thunders (α επτα βροντα). A recognized group, but not explained here, perhaps John assuming them to be known. For βροντα see already 4:5; 6:1; 8:5. In Ps 29 the Lord speaks in the sevenfold voice of the thunderstorm upon the sea.
Their voices (τας εαυτων φωνας). Cognate accusative with ελαλησαν and εαυτων (reflexive) means "their own." In Joh 12:28 the voice of the Father to Christ was thought by some to be thunder.
"And when the seven thunders uttered [their voices], I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." — Revelation 10:4 (ASV)
I was about to write (ημελλον γραφειν). Imperfect active of μελλω (double augment as in Joh 4:47; 12:33; 18:32) and the present (inchoative) active infinitive of γραφω, "I was on the point of beginning to write," as commanded in 1:11,19.
Seal up (σφραγισον). Aorist active imperative of σφραγιζω, tense of urgency, "seal up at once."
And write them not (κα μη αυτα γραψηις). Prohibition with μη and the ingressive aorist active subjunctive of γραφω, "Do not begin to write." It is idle to conjecture what was in the utterances. Compare Paul's silence in 2 Corinthians 12:4.
"And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven," — Revelation 10:5 (ASV)
Standing (εστωτα). Second perfect active participle of ιστημ (intransitive). John resumes the picture in verse 2.
Lifted up (ηρεν). First aorist active indicative of αιρω, to lift up.
To heaven (εις τον ουρανον). Toward heaven, the customary gesture in taking a solemn oath (Genesis 14:22; Deuteronomy 32:40; Daniel 12:7).
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