AND WHEN HE OPENED (κα οταν ηνοιξεν). Here modal αν is used with οτε (used about the opening of the preceding six seals), but οταν is not here rendered more indefinite, as is sometimes true (Mark 3:11; Revelation 4:9), but here and possibly (can be repetition) in Mark 11:19 it is a particular ins... [ Continue Reading ]
STAND (εστηκασιν). Perfect active of ιστημ (intransitive). Another "hebdomad" so frequent in the Apocalypse. The article (the seven angels) seems to point to seven well-known angels. In Enoch 20:7 the names of seven archangels are given (Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sariel, Gabriel, Remiel) a... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER ANGEL (αλλος αγγελος). Not one of the seven of verse Revelation 8:2 and before they began to sound the trumpets. This preliminary incident of the offering of incense on the altar covers verses Revelation 8:3-6.STOOD (εσταθη). Ingressive first aorist passive of ιστημ (intransitive), "too... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SMOKE (ο καπνος). Old word, in N.T. only Acts 2:19; Revelation 8:4; Revelation 9:2; Revelation 9:17; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:8; Revelation 18:9; Revelation 18:18; Reve... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKETH (ειληφεν). Vivid dramatic perfect active indicative of λαμβανω as in Revelation 5:7, "has taken." The angel had apparently]aid aside the censer. Hardly merely the pleonastic use of λαμβανω (John 19:23). John pictures the scene for us.FILLED (εγεμισεν). He drops back to the narrative use... [ Continue Reading ]
PREPARED THEMSELVES (ητοιμασαν αυτους). First aorist active indicative of ετοιμαζω. They knew the signal and got ready.TO SOUND (ινα σαλπισωσιν). Sub-final (object) clause with ινα and the first aorist ingressive active subjunctive of σαλπιζω. The infinitive could have been used.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUNDED (εσαλπισεν). First aorist active indicative of σαλπιζω, repeated with each angel in turn (Revelation 8:8; Revelation 8:10; Revelation 8:12; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 11:15).HAIL AND FIRE MINGLED WITH BLOOD (χαλαζα κα πυρ μεμιγμενα εν αιματ). Like the plague of hail and... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT WERE (ως). "As if," not a great mountain, but a blazing mass as large as a mountain.BURNING WITH FIRE (πυρ καιομενον). Present middle participle of καιω. Somewhat like Enoch 18:13, but perhaps with the picture of a great volcanic eruption like that of Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Strabo tells of... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE CREATURES (των κτισματων). See Revelation 5:13 for this word κτισμα. Even they that had life (τα εχοντα ψυχας). Here the nominative articular participle is in apposition with the genitive κτισματων, as often in this book. See Exodus 7:20 for the destruction of fish, and Zephaniah 1:3.WAS D... [ Continue Reading ]
BURNING AS A TORCH (καιομενος ως λαμπας). See Revelation 4:5; Matthew 2:2, perhaps a meteor, striking at the fresh-water supply (rivers ποταμων, springs πηγας) as in the first Egyptian plague also.... [ Continue Reading ]
WORMWOOD (ο Αψινθος). Absinthe. Usually feminine (η), but masculine here probably because αστηρ is masculine. Only here in N.T. and not in LXX (πικρια, bitterness, χολη, gall, etc.) except by Aquila in Proverbs 5:4; Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 23:15. There are several varieties of the plant in Palest... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS SMITTEN (επληγη). Second aorist passive indicative of πλησσω, old verb (like πληγη plague), here only in N.T.THAT SHOULD BE DARKENED (ινα σκοτισθη). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist passive subjunctive of σκοτιζω, from σκοτος (darkness) as in Matthew 24:29, but σκοτοω in Revelat... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EAGLE (ενος αετου). "One eagle," perhaps ενος (εις) used as an indefinite article (Revelation 9:13; Revelation 18:21; Revelation 19:17). See Revelation 4:7 also for the flying eagle, the strongest of birds, sometimes a symbol of vengeance (Deuteronomy 28:49; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8).FLYING IN... [ Continue Reading ]