16:8 Then 5 the fourth angel 6 poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was permitted to scorch people 7 with fire.
1 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.
2 tn Or “that has been heated in a furnace until it glows.”
3 tn Grk “sound,” but the idea is closer to the roar of a waterfall or rapids.
4 tn An allusion to Isa 49:10. The phrase “burning heat” is one word in Greek (καῦμα, kauma) that refers to a burning, intensely-felt heat. See BDAG 536 s.v.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
8 tn Grk “the fourth”; the referent (the fourth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") and refers to both men and women.