Revelation 4:6

4:6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. ¹ 

In ²  the middle of the throne ³  and around the throne were four living creatures ⁴  full of eyes in front and in back.

Revelation 4:1

The Amazing Scene in Heaven

4:1 After these things I looked, and there was ⁵  a door standing open in heaven! ⁶  And the first voice I had heard speaking to me ⁷  like a trumpet ⁸  said: “Come up here so that ⁹  I can show you what must happen after these things.”

Revelation 4:1

The Amazing Scene in Heaven

4:1 After these things I looked, and there was ¹⁰  a door standing open in heaven! ¹¹  And the first voice I had heard speaking to me ¹²  like a trumpet ¹³  said: “Come up here so that ¹⁴  I can show you what must happen after these things.”

[4:6]  ¹ tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.

[4:6]  ² tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[4:6]  ³ tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).

[4:6]  ⁴ tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zwon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”

[4:1]  ⁵ tn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

[4:1]  ⁶ tn Or “in the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).

[4:1]  ⁷ tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”

[4:1]  ⁸ sn The phrase speaking to me like a trumpet refers back to Rev 1:10.

[4:1]  ⁹ tn The conjunction καί (kai), much like the vav-consecutive in Hebrew, appears to be introducing a final/purpose clause here rather than a coordinate clause.

[4:1]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

[4:1]  ¹¹ tn Or “in the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).

[4:1]  ¹² tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”

[4:1]  ¹³ sn The phrase speaking to me like a trumpet refers back to Rev 1:10.

[4:1]  ¹⁴ tn The conjunction καί (kai), much like the vav-consecutive in Hebrew, appears to be introducing a final/purpose clause here rather than a coordinate clause.