Rev 4:5 | RWP | e4.org | Out of the throne ( εκ του θρονου ). Back to the throne itself. The imagery is kin to that in ; .; , . Proceed ( εκπορευοντα ). Graphic historical present. Lightnings and voices and thunders ( αστραπα κα φωνα κα βροντα ). So exactly in ; , but in with βροντα first, αστραπα last, all old and common words. "The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., ; .; ." (Swete). Seven lamps of fire ( επτα λαμπαδες πυρος ). Return to the nominative ( ιδου , not ειδον ) with ησαν (were) understood. Metaphor drawn from ; . Our word "lamp," but here a torch as in , identified with the Holy Spirit (the Seven Spirits of God) as in ; , not λυχνια (lampstands) as in , , nor λυχνος a hand-lamp with oil ( ). "These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God" (Swete).

‏ Revelation of John 4:5

Out of the throne ( εκ του θρονου ). Back to the throne itself. The imagery is kin to that in Ex 19:16; 24:9f.; Eze 1:22, 27.

Proceed ( εκπορευοντα ). Graphic historical present.

Lightnings and voices and thunders ( αστραπα κα φωνα κα βροντα ). So exactly in 11:19; 16:18, but in 8:5 with βροντα first, αστραπα last, all old and common words. "The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., 1Sa 2:10; Ps 18:9f.; Job 37:4f." (Swete).

Seven lamps of fire ( επτα λαμπαδες πυρος ). Return to the nominative ( ιδου, not ειδον ) with ησαν (were) understood. Metaphor drawn from Eze 1:13; Zec 4:12ff. Our word "lamp," but here a torch as in 8:10, identified with the Holy Spirit (the Seven Spirits of God) as in 1:4; 3:1, not λυχνια (lampstands) as in 1:12, 20, nor λυχνος a hand-lamp with oil (Mt 5:15). "These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God" (Swete).