A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 19
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 19
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 19
"After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God:" — Revelation 19:1 (ASV)
After these things (μετα ταυτα). Often when a turn comes in this book. But Beckwith is probably correct in seeing in 19:1-5 the climax of chapter Re 18. This first voice (verses 1,2) ως φωνην μεγαλην ουχλου πολλου (as it were great voice of much multitude) is probably the response of the angelic host (Revelation 5:11; Hebrews 12:22). There is responsive singing (grand chorus) as in chapters Re 4; 5.
Saying (λεγοντων). Present active participle of λεγω, genitive plural, though οχλου is genitive singular (collective substantive, agreement in sense).
Hallelujah (Αλληλουια). Transliteration of the Hebrew seen often in the Psalms (LXX) and in III. Macc. 7:13, in N.T. only in Re 19:1,3,4,6. It means, "Praise ye the Lord." Fifteen of the Psalms begin or end with this word. The Great Hallel (a title for Ps 104-109) is sung chiefly at the feasts of the passover and tabernacles. This psalm of praise uses language already in 12:10.
"for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand." — Revelation 19:2 (ASV)
For (οτ). Because. The reason for God's judgments is given in 15:3; 16:7. The doom of Babylon seen in 14:7 is now realized.
For (οτ). Second use of οτ, explaining the first.
He hath judged (εκρινεν). First aorist (prophetic and climacteric, effective) active indicative of κρινω.
Which (ητις). The very one which.
Did corrupt (εφθειρεν). This is the terrible fact. First aorist active indicative of φθειρω. Cf. 11:18; 14:8; 17:2; 18:3.
And he hath avenged (κα εξεδικησεν). God has exacted vengeance for the blood of his servants from (εκ) her. Prophetic aorist again of εκδικεω with accusative and εκ with ablative as in 6:10.
"And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever." — Revelation 19:3 (ASV)
A second time (δευτερον). Adverbial accusative, a heavenly encore.
They say (ειρηκαν). Perfect active indicative of ειπον. "They have said," not an "aoristic" perfect for "they say," but vivid dramatic perfect as in 5:7 and the form in -αν instead of - ασιν as in 18:3; 21:6.
Goeth up (αναβαινε). Linear present active indicative of αναβαινω, "keeps on going up," "a last touch to the description already given (18:21ff.) of Babylon's utter collapse" (Swete). The smoke of the city's ruin (14:11; 18:8f.,18) instead of incense (8:4). Cf. Isaiah 34:9f.
"And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah." — Revelation 19:4 (ASV)
Fell down and worshipped God (επεσαν κα προσεκυνησαν τω θεω). Precisely as in 7:11, which see. The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures take up the antiphonal chorus of the angels.
"And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great." — Revelation 19:5 (ASV)
A voice from the throne (φωνη απο του θρονου). Not the voice of God, nor of the Lamb, nor εκ του ναου (16:17), but from an angel of the Presence. This angel summons all the servants of God to join in the antiphonal praise to God.
Give praise to our God (αινειτε τω θεω ημων). Present active imperative of αινεω, old verb, with the accusative elsewhere in N.T., but here with the dative as occasionally in the LXX (1 Chronicles 16:36, etc.).
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