New American Standard Bible 1995

Back to Reader

Revelation

Note Journal Prayer

4

:

6

“

and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Greek: Transliteration:
and before in sight of, before Prep H1799 ἐνώπιον enōpion
the throne a throne N-GMS H2362 θρόνου thronou
[there was something] like as, like as, even as, when, since, as long as Adv H5613 ὡς ōs
a sea the sea N-NFS H2281 θάλασσα thalassa
of glass, of glass, glassy Adj-NFS H5193 ὑαλίνη ualinē
like like, resembling, the same as Adj-NFS H3664 ὁμοία omoia
crystal; crystal N-DMS H2930 κρυστάλλῳ krustallō
and in the center middle, in the midst Adj-DNS H3319 μέσῳ mesō
and around around Prep H2945 κύκλῳ kuklō
the throne, a throne N-GMS H2362 θρόνου thronou
four four Adj-NNP H5064 τέσσαρα tessara
Analysis:

Four: The world, four is the global number

The number "four" has a global or relates to the world. There are some common and similar expressions in the Scripture, which are "the four winds of the heavens" or "the four corners of the earth" or "the four ends of the heavens."  Each of these expressions relate to the earth or the world in a collective manner. In the book of Daniel chapter 2, one reads about a dream which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. In this dream, he saw an image set up and this image had four distinct parts. Each of these parts represented an empire which ruled over the world.

In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 22, Israel is told to make a four-corner garment and place a tzitzit upon each corner. The tzitzit represents the Biblical commandments of the Torah (see Numbers chapter 15). These commandments are understood as being a framework for life in this world, as when one dies, the tzitzit are removed from one's four corner garment for burial. 

In the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, one encounters the four beasts, which are in the heavens and never cease to praise HaShem. It is understood that the four beasts who continuously say, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, Who was and is and is to come" (see Revelation 4:6-9) are related to the will of God for all the world (His creation). In a similar manner, one of the Seraphim called to another saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts, all of the earth (shall be) with His Glory." 

Loveisrael.org - Baruch Korman, Ph.D. - All Rights Reserved - Used with Permission 2016
living creatures a living creature N-NNP H2226 ζῷα zōa
full to be full V-PPA-NNP H1073 γέμοντα gemonta
of eyes the eye N-GMP H3788 ὀφθαλμῶν ophthalmōn
in front before, in front of (in place or time) Adv H1715 ἔμπροσθεν emprosthen
and behind. behind, after Adv H3693 ὄπισθεν opisthen

Parallel Verses

Removed text
Added text
New American Standard Bible 1995 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
King James Bible and And before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, glass like crystal; unto crystal: and in the center and around midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures beasts full of eyes in front before and behind.
Berean Bible and And before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and crystal. And in the center midst of the throne and around the throne, throne were four living creatures creatures, being full of eyes in front and behind.
Hebrew Greek English and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.