1 in the right hand. Literally, “on the right hand,” the open palm.

written within, etc. It was thoroughly filled (see Ezek. ii. 9, 10); but until every seal was broken its contents were not fully revealed. The seven seals, all visible at once, were probably in a row, securely fastening the roll, no part of which could thus be read until all the seals were broken. “Seven” indicates completeness.

3 no man. Properly, “no one”; including angels as well as men. The roll contains the record of God’s secret purposes.

5 the Lion of the tribe of Judah, etc. (See Gen. xlix. 8-10; and Isa. xi. 1; iv. 2.)

hath prevailed, etc. “Hath conquered.”

6 in the midst of the throne, etc. Between the throne supported by the living creatures, and the elders, representative of the Universal Church: an emblem of mediatorship.

a Lamb as it had been slain, etc. Showing that He was the victorious Lion, because He was the Lamb slain. Cp. John i. 29. The “seven horns” indicate fulness of power and dominion (see note on 1 Sam. ii. 1); and the “seven eyes” fulness of knowledge and wisdom, as connected with the work or offices of Christ.

8 vials full of odours. Rather, “bowls full of incense,” R.V.

9 a new song. The song of redemption, as distinguished from the song of creation (iv. 9-11).

us. The word “us” is omitted by many good authorities. See following note.

10 and hast made us. The best authorities read “them,” and, in the next clause, “they reign on the earth.”

14. And the elders fell down and worshipped. “The Elders, the representatives of the Church

Universal, in silent adoration add their assent; the last tones of the hymn die away, and the opening of the Seals begins” (Archdeacon Lee in Speaker’s Commentary).

THE SEVEN SEALS (vi. to viii. 1) CHAPTER VI

1. Come and see. The best MSS. omit “and see.” At the opening of each of the first four seals the word is “Come!” It is generally held that the summons was addressed to each of the horsemen in turn. The “horses” evidently correspond to those in Zechariah’s visions.

2 a white horse. Emblem of victory: cp. Zech. i. 8-11; vi. 1-7, and notes.

4 another horse [that was] red. Emblem of carnage (Matt. x. 34).

that they should kill one another. Perhaps in civil war.

5 a black horse. Emblem of scarcity.

6 a voice in the midst of the four beasts. A voice from the throne itself.

A measure of wheat for a penny, etc. Lit., “a chosin (two pints) of wheat for a denarius (about 20 cents); and three chosin (one of barley for a denarius).” A chosin seems to have been a man’s daily allowance of wheat (Herodotus, vii. 187), and a denarius his daily earning (Matt. xx. 2, 9): so that after purchasing his daily food at these prices, he would have nothing left for other expenses and for his family. In other words, wheat would be about eight times its usual price. This indicates great scarcity, although not the extremity of famine: cp. Ezek. iv. 16.

[see] thou hurt not, etc. Perhaps this direction respecting the oil and wine represents a merciful alleviation of the calamity. A warning against profiteering.

8 a pale horse. Emblem of Death.

Hell. Rather, “Hades,” or the state of departed spirits (cp. Isa. v. 14).

the fourth part of the earth. Each fourth part being dominated by one of the four horses and its rider.

with death. “Death,” used distinctively, seems to refer to pestilence (Jer. xv. 2).

9 under the altar. That is, at the foot or lower part of the great altar, to which victims were led whose blood was shed. The scene is laid in the Temple. These no doubt are Christian martyrs.

10. How long, etc.? Cp. Luke xviii. 7, 8, and notes.

11 white robes, etc. “There was given them to each one a white robe”; denoting honour, acceptance, and triumph.

that they should rest, etc. Waiting quietly until the martyrdom of their brethren who had yet to suffer should fill up the measure of their persecutor’s sins: cp. Matt. xxiii. 32; 1 Thess. ii. 16, and notes.

12 when He had opened the sixth seal, etc. The scene at the opening of the sixth seal is that of terrible natural convulsions; depicting the effects of God’s wrath (17). This may refer to the utter destruction of the powers which had persecuted the martyrs (9-11): cp. Isa. xiii. 9, 10; xxxiv. 1-4; Ezek. xxii. 7, and notes.

13 the stars. Cp. Dan. viii. 10, and note; also Matt. xxiv. 29.

untimely figs. Or, “winter figs”; which seldom mature, and easily fall off in the spring of the year; “ses figues vertes” (French version). See Isa. xxxiv. 4; Nahum iii. 12.

16. Fall on us, etc. This is the language of consternation and despair, derived from Hosea x. 8; cp. Isa. ii. 19, 21; Luke xxiii. 30.