Revelation 5:1

The Opening of the Scroll

5:1 Then ¹  I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and back ²  and sealed with seven seals. ³ 

Revelation 10:4

10:4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was preparing to write, but ⁴  just then ⁵  I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders spoke and do not write it down.”

Isaiah 8:16

8:16 Tie up the scroll as legal evidence, ⁶ 

seal the official record of God’s instructions and give it to my followers. ⁷ 

Daniel 8:26

8:26 The vision of the evenings and mornings that was told to you is correct. ⁸  But you should seal up the vision, for it refers to a time many days from now.”

Daniel 12:4

12:4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about, ⁹  and knowledge will increase.”

Daniel 12:9

12:9 He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end.

Matthew 10:27

10:27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, ¹⁰  proclaim from the housetops. ¹¹ 

[5:1]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.

[5:1]  ² tn Grk “written on the inside and the outside” (an idiom for having writing on both sides).

[5:1]  ³ tn L&N 6.55 states, “From the immediate context of Re 5:1 it is not possible to determine whether the scroll in question had seven seals on the outside or whether the scroll was sealed at seven different points. However, since according to chapter six of Revelation the seals were broken one after another, it would appear as though the scroll had been sealed at seven different places as it had been rolled up.”

[10:4]  ⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[10:4]  ⁵ tn The words “just then” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

[8:16]  ⁶ tn Heb “tie up [the] testimony.” The “testimony” probably refers to the prophetic messages God has given him. When the prophecies are fulfilled, he will be able to produce this official, written record to confirm the authenticity of his ministry and to prove to the people that God is sovereign over events.

[8:16]  ⁷ tn Heb “seal [the] instruction among my followers.” The “instruction” probably refers to the prophet’s exhortations and warnings. When the people are judged for the sins, the prophet can produce these earlier messages and essentially say, “I told you so.” In this way he can authenticate his ministry and impress upon the people the reality of God’s authority over them.

[8:26]  ⁸ tn Heb “truth.”

[12:4]  ⁹ tn Or “will run back and forth”; KJV “shall run to and fro”; NIV “will go here and there”; CEV “will go everywhere.”

[10:27]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “what you hear in the ear,” an idiom.

[10:27]  ¹¹ tn The expression “proclaim from the housetops” is an idiom for proclaiming something publicly (L&N 7.51). Roofs of many first century Jewish houses in Judea and Galilee were flat and had access either from outside or from within the house. Something shouted from atop a house would be heard by everyone in the street below.