Revelation / Chapter 7

Revelation 7

17 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Revelation 7 provides an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, answering the question of 6:17: 'Who is able to stand?' Two scenes are presented. First, four angels hold back the four winds of the earth while another angel ascends from the rising sun with the seal of the living God, commanding that 144,000 servants of God be sealed on their foreheads — 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel (vv. 1-8). Second, John sees an innumerable multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, holding palm branches, and crying out that salvation belongs to God and to the Lamb. Angels, elders, and living creatures worship. One of the elders identifies the multitude as those who have come out of the great tribulation, who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. The chapter concludes with a promise that God will shelter them, and the Lamb will shepherd them to springs of living water, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The hear/see pattern from chapter 5 recurs: John hears a number (144,000 from Israel's tribes) but sees a vision (an innumerable multitude from every nation). As with the Lion/Lamb contrast, what is heard and what is seen may describe the same reality from different perspectives — the sealed community of God's people is both defined (rooted in Israel's covenant identity) and unlimited (encompassing all nations). The tribal list is unusual: Dan is omitted and Manasseh is included separately from Joseph, which has generated extensive scholarly discussion. The final verses (15-17) anticipate the new creation vision of chapters 21-22.

Translation Friction

Whether the 144,000 and the great multitude are the same group described differently or two distinct groups is debated. We render both visions as written without resolving the relationship. The omission of Dan from the tribal list has been variously explained (a scribal error, a tradition associating Dan with idolatry, an association with the Antichrist); we note it without adopting a position. The phrase 'the great tribulation' (tēs thlipseōs tēs megalēs) is rendered with the article as it appears in Greek.

Connections

Ezekiel 9:4-6 (marking foreheads for protection), Ezekiel 37:15-28 (reunification of Israel's tribes), Isaiah 49:10 (no hunger or thirst), Isaiah 25:8 (God will wipe away tears), Psalm 23:1-2 (shepherd, still waters), Zechariah 6:5 (four winds), Leviticus 23:40 (palm branches at Sukkot/Tabernacles), Joel 2:32 (whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved).

Revelation 7:1

Μετὰ τοῦτο εἶδον τέσσαρας ἀγγέλους ἑστῶτας ἐπὶ τὰς τέσσαρας γωνίας τῆς γῆς, κρατοῦντας τοὺς τέσσαρας ἀνέμους τῆς γῆς, ἵνα μὴ πνέῃ ἄνεμος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς μήτε ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης μήτε ἐπὶ πᾶν δένδρον.

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.

KJV And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The 'four corners of the earth' (tas tessaras gōnias tēs gēs) is a standard ancient expression for the whole world (cf. Isaiah 11:12; Ezekiel 7:2), not a cosmological claim about the earth's shape. The four winds (tessaras anemous) represent destructive forces held in check by divine command (cf. Jeremiah 49:36; Daniel 7:2; Zechariah 6:5). The three domains — earth, sea, trees — represent the totality of the natural world. The restraining of the winds creates a dramatic pause before the sealing, ensuring God's servants are protected before judgment proceeds.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Isaiah 11:12. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Ezekiel 7:2. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
  4. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Jeremiah 49:36. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
  5. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Daniel 7:2. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
  6. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Zechariah 6:5. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Revelation 7:2

καὶ εἶδον ἄλλον ἄγγελον ἀναβαίνοντα ἀπὸ ἀνατολῆς ἡλίου, ἔχοντα σφραγῖδα θεοῦ ζῶντος, καὶ ἔκραξεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ τοῖς τέσσαρσιν ἀγγέλοις οἷς ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἀδικῆσαι τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν,

Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, holding the seal of the living God. He called out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the earth and the sea,

KJV And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The angel ascends 'from the rising of the sun' (apo anatolēs hēliou) — the east, the direction of dawn and new beginnings. The 'seal of the living God' (sphragida theou zōntos) echoes Ezekiel 9:4, where a man with a writing case marks the foreheads of those in Jerusalem who grieve over its abominations, protecting them from the coming slaughter. The phrase 'living God' (theou zōntos) contrasts with the dead idols that pervade the Roman world — this God is active and capable of protecting his own.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Ezekiel 9:4. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
Revelation 7:3

λέγων· Μὴ ἀδικήσητε τὴν γῆν μήτε τὴν θάλασσαν μήτε τὰ δένδρα, ἄχρι σφραγίσωμεν τοὺς δούλους τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ τῶν μετώπων αὐτῶν.

Indeed, declaring, Hurt not the world, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

KJV Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The sealing (sphragisōmen) on the forehead is a mark of ownership and protection — like a royal seal on a document declaring its origin and inviolability. In Ezekiel 9:4, the mark (Hebrew tav, which in ancient script looked like an X or +) protected the faithful from destruction. The seal does not prevent suffering (the great multitude in verse 14 has come 'out of the great tribulation') but guarantees ultimate preservation. The first-person plural 'we have sealed' (sphragisōmen) suggests the angel speaks on behalf of a divine company.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Ezekiel 9:4 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Revelation 7:4

Καὶ ἤκουσα τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῶν ἐσφραγισμένων, ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες, ἐσφραγισμένοι ἐκ πάσης φυλῆς υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ·

And I heard the number of the sealed: 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

KJV And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. John hears (ēkousa) the number — he does not see it. As in 5:5-6 (hearing 'Lion,' seeing 'Lamb'), what John hears may be interpreted by what he sees (the innumerable multitude in v. 9). The number 144,000 (12 x 12 x 1,000) is a symbolic number of completeness: twelve tribes times twelve (perhaps twelve apostles) times one thousand (a large, round number representing fullness). Whether this represents ethnic Israel, the church as spiritual Israel, or a specific end-time remnant is debated. We render the text as stated.
Revelation 7:5

ἐκ φυλῆς Ἰούδα δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι, ἐκ φυλῆς Ῥουβὴν δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Γὰδ δώδεκα χιλιάδες,

From the tribe of Juda, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand were sealed.

KJV Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Judah is listed first rather than Reuben (the firstborn), likely because Judah is the messianic tribe — the tribe of the Lamb. The list departs from every Old Testament tribal order, creating a unique arrangement that prioritizes Judah and includes Levi (normally omitted from territorial lists because the Levites had no tribal land allotment).
Revelation 7:6

ἐκ φυλῆς Ἀσὴρ δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Νεφθαλὶμ δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Μανασσῆ δώδεκα χιλιάδες,

From the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Nepthalim, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand were sealed.

KJV Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Manasseh is listed separately from Joseph (v. 8), which is unusual — normally Manasseh and Ephraim together constitute Joseph. The separate listing of Manasseh and Joseph (without Ephraim) maintains the count of twelve while substituting for the omitted tribe of Dan.
Revelation 7:7

ἐκ φυλῆς Συμεὼν δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Λευὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Ἰσσαχὰρ δώδεκα χιλιάδες,

From the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand were sealed.

KJV Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The inclusion of Levi is notable — in Old Testament territorial lists, Levi is typically excluded because the Levites received no land inheritance, being set apart for priestly service (Numbers 18:20-24). Their inclusion here suggests that the list is not based on territorial divisions but on a new ordering of God's people.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Numbers 18:20-24. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
Revelation 7:8

ἐκ φυλῆς Ζαβουλὼν δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Ἰωσὴφ δώδεκα χιλιάδες, ἐκ φυλῆς Βενιαμὶν δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἐσφραγισμένοι.

From the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand were sealed. From the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

KJV Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The list ends with Benjamin, completing twelve tribes with each contributing exactly 12,000. The tribe of Dan is conspicuously absent — an omission that has generated much speculation. Some scholars point to Dan's association with idolatry (Judges 18:30; 1 Kings 12:29), an early tradition linking Dan to the Antichrist (based on a reading of Genesis 49:17 and Jeremiah 8:16), or a simple scribal error confusing Dan and Manasseh. The text does not explain the omission, and we do not speculate beyond noting it.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Judges 18:30 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] References 1 Kings 12:29 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  4. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Genesis 49:17 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  5. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Jeremiah 8:16 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Revelation 7:9

Μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὄχλος πολύς, ὃν ἀριθμῆσαι αὐτὸν οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο, ἐκ παντὸς ἔθνους καὶ φυλῶν καὶ λαῶν καὶ γλωσσῶν, ἑστῶτες ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ ἀρνίου, περιβεβλημένους στολὰς λευκάς, καὶ φοίνικες ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν·

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

KJV After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The contrast with the 144,000 is striking: the previous group was precisely numbered and ethnically defined; this group is innumerable and universally sourced. John heard a number (v. 4) but now sees a countless crowd (v. 9) — the hear/see pattern that in chapter 5 revealed Lion and Lamb as the same reality viewed differently. The fourfold formula ethnous, phylōn, laōn, glōssōn ('nation, tribe, people, language') echoes 5:9. The palm branches (phoinikes) recall the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, Leviticus 23:40), a celebration of God's provision during the wilderness wandering, and also the triumphal entry traditions.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Leviticus 23:40. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 7:10

καὶ κράζουσιν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγοντες· Ἡ σωτηρία τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῷ θρόνῳ καὶ τῷ ἀρνίῳ.

They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

KJV And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek hē sōtēria tō theō ('salvation to our God') can mean 'salvation belongs to God' (attributing salvation to its source) or 'salvation/praise to our God' (an acclamation). The multitude credits their deliverance jointly to God and the Lamb — as in chapter 5, the two receive unified worship. The cry is the multitude's answer to the question of 6:17 ('who is able to stand?') — those who attribute their salvation to God and the Lamb are the ones who stand.
Revelation 7:11

καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄγγελοι εἱστήκεισαν κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων, καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ἐπὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ θεῷ

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

KJV And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The concentric arrangement reappears: throne at the center, living creatures and elders next, angels surrounding them, and the great multitude beyond. The angels respond to the multitude's cry by falling prostrate (epesan epi ta prosōpa autōn, 'fell on their faces') — a posture of complete submission and reverence.
Revelation 7:12

λέγοντες· Ἀμήν· ἡ εὐλογία καὶ ἡ δόξα καὶ ἡ σοφία καὶ ἡ εὐχαριστία καὶ ἡ τιμὴ καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ ἰσχὺς τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν.

Indeed, declaring, Amen — Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and authority, and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A sevenfold doxology — blessing (eulogia), glory (doxa), wisdom (sophia), thanksgiving (eucharistia), honor (timē), power (dynamis), and might (ischys) — framed by double 'Amen.' The seven attributes parallel the sevenfold praise to the Lamb in 5:12, with slight variations (thanksgiving replaces wealth). The framing 'Amen...Amen' seals the praise with absolute affirmation. The angels ascribe to God the totality of praise — seven attributes representing completeness.
Revelation 7:13

Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς ἐκ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων λέγων μοι· Οὗτοι οἱ περιβεβλημένοι τὰς στολὰς τὰς λευκὰς τίνες εἰσὶν καὶ πόθεν ἦλθον;

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "These who are clothed in white robes — who are they, and where did they come from?"

KJV And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The elder's question is pedagogical — he asks in order to teach, a common technique in apocalyptic literature (cf. Zechariah 4:4-5; Daniel 7:16). The Greek apekrithē ('answered') can mean 'responded' or 'spoke up' even without a prior question from John, as it does here.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Zechariah 4:4-5 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Daniel 7:16 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Revelation 7:14

καὶ εἴρηκα αὐτῷ· Κύριέ μου, σὺ οἶδας. καὶ εἶπέν μοι· Οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἐρχόμενοι ἐκ τῆς θλίψεως τῆς μεγάλης, καὶ ἔπλυναν τὰς στολὰς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλεύκαναν αὐτὰς ἐν τῷ αἵματι τοῦ ἀρνίου.

I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

KJV And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. John's reply 'my lord, you know' (kyrie mou, sy oidas) is respectful deference, not divine address — kyrie here is a polite title for the elder. The phrase 'the great tribulation' (tēs thlipseōs tēs megalēs) has the definite article, indicating a specific, known period of suffering. The present participle hoi erchomenoi ('the ones coming') suggests an ongoing process, not a single past event — they are continually arriving. The paradox of washing robes white in blood is striking: blood normally stains, but the Lamb's blood purifies. The image combines sacrifice (blood) with cleansing (washing white), echoing Isaiah 1:18 ('though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow').
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Isaiah 1:18. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 7:15

διὰ τοῦτό εἰσιν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ λατρεύουσιν αὐτῷ ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς ἐν τῷ ναῷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου σκηνώσει ἐπ' αὐτούς.

For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

KJV Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb latreuousin ('they serve, worship') is cultic language — priestly service in the temple. Day and night service echoes the Levitical priests' perpetual ministry (1 Chronicles 9:33). The verb skēnōsei ('will tabernacle, will spread his tent over') is related to skēnē ('tent, tabernacle') and evokes the Shekinah — God's dwelling presence among his people. The concept echoes John 1:14 ('the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us') and anticipates Revelation 21:3 ('the tabernacle of God is with humanity'). We render it as 'shelter with his presence' to capture both the protective and relational dimensions.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes 1 Chronicles 9:33 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Revelation 7:16

οὐ πεινάσουσιν ἔτι οὐδὲ διψήσουσιν ἔτι, οὐδὲ μὴ πέσῃ ἐπ' αὐτοὺς ὁ ἥλιος οὐδὲ πᾶν καῦμα,

They will hunger no more and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat,

KJV They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This verse quotes Isaiah 49:10 almost verbatim from the Septuagint: 'They will not hunger or thirst, neither will the scorching heat or the sun strike them.' The Isaiah passage describes the return from exile — God's people journeying home under divine protection. The application to the great multitude frames their experience as a new exodus, a journey through tribulation to the promised presence of God. The negations are emphatic: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more exposure to harsh elements.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Isaiah 49:10. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Revelation 7:17

ὅτι τὸ ἀρνίον τὸ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ θρόνου ποιμανεῖ αὐτούς, καὶ ὁδηγήσει αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ζωῆς πηγὰς ὑδάτων· καὶ ἐξαλείψει ὁ θεὸς πᾶν δάκρυον ἐκ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν.

Because the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne will feed them, and will lead them to living fountains of waters — and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.

KJV For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The paradox of a lamb shepherding is striking — normally lambs are shepherded, not shepherds. Yet the Lamb who was slaughtered now leads and protects. The verb poimanei ('will shepherd') echoes Psalm 23:1 ('The LORD is my shepherd') and Ezekiel 34:23 ('I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David'). 'Springs of living water' (zōēs pēgas hydatōn) echoes Jeremiah 2:13 ('the spring of living water') and anticipates 21:6 and 22:1 (the river of life). The final image — God wiping tears from their eyes — comes from Isaiah 25:8 and is repeated in Revelation 21:4, forming an inclusio between this interlude and the new creation vision. The intimacy of the gesture is remarkable: the sovereign God of the universe personally attending to human grief.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Isaiah 25:8. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Psalm 23:1. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
  4. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Ezekiel 34:23. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
  5. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Jeremiah 2:13. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
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