Revelation 10

Revelation 10:1

A cloud. The expression occurs seven times in Revelation, and in all of them is connected with the Son of Man.

Rainbow. See on ch. Revelation 4:3.

Pillars of fire. Compare ch. 1 15.

Revelation 10:2

In his hand [εν] . The roll of Ch. 5 was on the hand (ejpi, see ch. Revelation 5:1), being too large to be grasped within it. The roll was on the right hand; the little book is in the left. See on ver. 5.

Revelation 10:3

Cried [εκραξεν] . See on Mr 5:5.

As when. The when of A. V. is unnecessary.

Roareth [μυκαται] . Only here in the New Testament. Peter uses wjruomai for the voice of the lion. See on 1 Peter 5:8. The verb here is originally applied to the lowing of cattle, expressing the sound, moo - ka - omai. Both Aristophanes and Theocritus use it of the roar of the lion, and the former of thunder. Homer, of the ring of the shield and the hissing of meat on the spit.

Seven thunders. The Jews were accustomed to speak of thunder as “the seven voices.” Compare the sevenfold “voice of the Lord,” Psalms 29. As usual, interpretation has run wild as to the seven thunders. As a few illustrations may be cited : Vitringa, the seven crusades; Daubuz, the seven kingdoms which received the Reformation; Elliott, the bull fulminated against Luther from the seven - hilled city, etc.

Revelation 10:4

To write. According to the injunction in ch. 1 11.

Revelation 10:5

His hand. Add thn dexian the right, and see on ver. 2. On lifting the hand in swearing, see Genesis 14:22; Exodus 6:8 (margin); Deuteronomy 32:40.

Revelation 10:6

Swear by [ωμοσενεν] . Lit., “swear in,” a Hebrew idiom.

Should be time no longer [χρονοςουκεσταιεπι] . Rev., correctly, shall be, etc. The meaning is not, as popularly understood, that time shall cease to exist, but that there shall be no more delay (so Rev., in margin) before the fulfillment of the divine purposes respecting the Church on earth. Possibly with allusion to the cry how long (ch. 6 10).

Revelation 10:7

Shall begin to sound [μελλησαλπιζεν] . Wrong. Rev., correctly, when he is about to sound.

The mystery [τομυστηριον] . See on Matthew 13:11.

Declared [ευηγγελισεν] . The word used of declaring the good news of salvation. Here of declaring the mystery of the kingdom.

Revelation 10:8

Spake unto me. Render, as Rev., “I heard it again speaking.”

Revelation 10:9

I went [απηλθον] . The preposition ajpo has the force of away. I went away from the place where I was standing.

Eat it up. Compare Ezekiel 3:1 - 3; Jeremiah 14:16.