10:1 Then 5 I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped 6 in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire. 7
1 sn The Hebrew verb translated gleamed occurs only here in the OT.
2 tn The precise meaning of the term translated “polished bronze” (χαλκολιβάνῳ, calkolibanw), which appears nowhere else in Greek literature outside of the book of Revelation (see 2:18), is uncertain. Without question it is some sort of metal. BDAG 1076 s.v. χαλκολίβανον suggests “fine brass/bronze.” L&N 2.57 takes the word to refer to particularly valuable or fine bronze, but notes that the emphasis here and in Rev 2:18 is more on the lustrous quality of the metal.
3 tn Or “that has been heated in a furnace until it glows.”
4 tn Grk “sound,” but the idea is closer to the roar of a waterfall or rapids.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
6 tn Or “clothed.”
7 tn Or “like fiery pillars,” translating πυρός (puros) as an attributive genitive.