REV 4:6 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And before the throne was as a glass sea, like crystal, and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures, being full of eyes before and behind.

UST In front of the throne there was also something that looked like a sea made of glass. It was clear like crystal. A living creature stood on each of the four sides of the throne. Eyes covered each creature, all around its body.

BLB And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures, being full of eyes in front and behind.

AICNT and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.
¶ In the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

OEB and in front of the throne is what seemed to be a sea of glass, resembling crystal, while within the space before the throne and round the throne are four creatures full of eyes in front and behind.

WEBBE Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.
¶ In the middle of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

LSV and before the throne—a sea of glass like to crystal, and in the midst of the throne, and around the throne—four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind;

FBV Stretching out in front of the throne was a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center and all around the throne were four living creatures covered in eyes, both front and back.

TCNT Also before the throne was [fn]something like a sea of glass that looked like crystal.
¶ Around the throne on each side were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and in back.

4:6 something like 𝔐^A+,C,K [86.2%] ¦ — 𝔐^A− TR [13.8%]

T4T In front of the throne there was what looked like an ocean made of glass. It was clear, like crystal. On each of the four sides of the throne there was a living creature. Each one was covered with eyes in front and behind.

LEB And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal, and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

BBE And before the high seat there was, as it seemed, a clear sea of glass; and in the middle of the high seat, and round about it, four beasts full of eyes round about.

Moff also in front of the throne there is like a sea of glass, resembling crystal. And on each side of the throne, all round it, four living Creatures full of eyes inside and outside;

Wymth And in front of the throne there seemed to be a sea of glass, resembling crystal. And midway between the throne and the Elders, and surrounding the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.

ASV and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

DRA And in the sight of the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass like to crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind.

YLT and before the throne [is] a sea of glass like to crystal, and in the midst of the throne, and round the throne, [are] four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind;

Drby and before the throne, as a glass sea, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, four living creatures, full of eyes, before and behind;

RV and before the throne, as it were a glassy sea like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

SLT And before the throne a sea of glass like crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

Wbstr And before the throne there was a sea of glass like crystal: And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living beings full of eyes before and behind.

KJB-1769 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
(And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts/animals full of eyes before and behind. )

KJB-1611 And before the Throne there was a sea of glasse like vnto Chrystall: and in the middest of the throne, and round about the Throne, were foure beastes full of eyes before and behinde.
(And before the Throne there was a sea of glass like unto Chrystall: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the Throne, were four beasts/animals full of eyes before and behind.)

Bshps And before the throne there was a sea of glasse, lyke vnto cristall, and in the myddest of the throne, & rounde about the throne, were foure beastes, full of eyes before and behynde.
(And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like unto cristall, and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts/animals, full of eyes before and behind.)

Gnva And before the throne there was a sea of glasse like vnto chrystall: and in the middes of the throne, and round about the throne were foure beasts full of eyes before and behinde.
(And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four beasts/animals full of eyes before and behind. )

Cvdl And before the seate there was a see of glasse like vnto crystall, and in the mydes off the seate, and rounde aboute the seate, were foure beastes full of eyes before and behynde.
(And before the seat there was a see of glass like unto crystall, and in the mydes off the seat, and round about the seat, were four beasts/animals full of eyes before and behind.)

TNT And before the seate there was a see of glasse lyke vnto cristall and in the myddes of the seate and rounde aboute the seate were iiii. bestes full of eyes before and behynde.
(And before the seat there was a see of glass like unto cristall and in the midst of the seat and round about the seat were iiii. bestes full of eyes before and behind. )

Wycl And bifor the seete as a see of glas, lijk a crystal, and in the myddil of the seete, and in the cumpas of the seete, foure beestis ful of iyen bifore and bihynde.
(And before the seat as a see of glas, like a crystal, and in the middle of the seat, and in the compass/all_around of the seat, four beasts/animals full of eyes before and behind.)

Luth Und vor dem Stuhl war ein gläsern Meer gleich dem Kristall und mitten im Stuhl und um den Stuhl vier Tiere voll Augen, vorne und hinten.
(And before/in_front_of to_him chair/stool what/which a gläsern sea even to_him Kristall and midway/in_the_middle in_the chair/stool and around/by/for the chair/stool four animals full/whole eyes, in_front and rear.)

ClVg Et in conspectu sedis tamquam mare vitreum simile crystallo: et in medio sedis, et in circuitu sedis quatuor animalia plena oculis ante et retro.[fn]
(And in/into/on in_sight seat as_if the_sea glass simile crystallo: and in/into/on in_the_middle seat, and in/into/on around seat four animals full eyes before and back. )

4.6 In conspectu. Quia intelligunt sacramentum et rem sacramenti, nec recipiunt nisi quos idoneos viderint et cognoverint. Mare vitreum. Baptismus sinceritate fidei lucidus post quem tribulationis igne electa ducuntur ad firmitatem bonorum operum, sicut ex aqua durescit chrystallus. In medio. Planitiem quamdam apparuisse describit ad similitudinem magni judicis, qui habet plateam latam et spatiosam, ubi sedet et judicat judicia. Sedis. Nomine sedis intelligitur Jerusalem, vel sustentatores, ut homo, ut vitulus, ut leo, ut aquila. Quatuor. Propter officium quadrifariæ prædicationis. Animalia. Hæc bene repræsentant Christum, qui natus est, passus, resurgens, ascendens. Fideles quoque rationales et mansueti sunt, ut homo. Sine terrore terentes adversa; ut leo; sese mortificantes, ut vitulus; cœlestia petentes, ut aquila. Plena oculis. Memores præteritorum peccatorum, et caventes sibi in futurum, vel habentes cognitionem de his quæ Deus fecit vel facturus est in fine mundi, vel placent Deo et hominibus.

4.6 In in_sight. Because they_understand sacrament and thing sacramenti, but_not they_receive except which idoneos they_saw and cognoverint. The_sea glass. Baptismus sinceritate of_faith lucidus after which tribulation with_fire chosen they_leadur to firmitatem of_goods works, like from water durescit chrystallus. In in_the_middle. Planitiem a_certain I_appearedsse describes to similarity great judgements, who/which has plateam latam and spatiosam, where is_sitting and judges judgements. Sedis. Nomine seat understood Yerusalem, or sustentatores, as human, as calf, as lion, as eagle. Four. Because office quadrifariæ preaching. Animalia. This well repræsentant Christ/Messiah, who/which born it_is, suffered, resurgens, ascending. Fideles too rationales and mansueti are, as human. Sine in_terror terentes adversa; as leo; sese mortificantes, as calf; heaven petentes, as eagle. Plena eyes. Recall/Rememberes passedorum of_sins/sinners, and caventes to_himself in/into/on future, or having knowledge from/about his which God he_did or going_to_do it_is in/into/on fine world, or please to_God and to_humans.

UGNT καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη, ὁμοία κρυστάλλῳ.
¶  καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου, τέσσαρα ζῷα, γέμοντα ὀφθαλμῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν.
(kai enōpion tou thronou hōs thalassa hualinaʸ, homoia krustallōi.
¶  kai en mesōi tou thronou kai kuklōi tou thronou, tessara zōia, gemonta ofthalmōn emprosthen kai opisthen.)

SBL-GNT καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη ὁμοία κρυστάλλῳ. Καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου τέσσαρα ζῷα γέμοντα ὀφθαλμῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν·
(kai enōpion tou thronou hōs thalassa hualinaʸ homoia krustallōi. Kai en mesōi tou thronou kai kuklōi tou thronou tessara zōia gemonta ofthalmōn emprosthen kai opisthen;)

RP-GNT καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη, ὁμοία κρυστάλλῳ. Καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου τέσσαρα ζῷα γέμοντα ὀφθαλμῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν.
(kai enōpion tou thronou hōs thalassa hualinaʸ, homoia krustallōi. Kai en mesōi tou thronou kai kuklōi tou thronou tessara zōia gemonta ofthalmōn emprosthen kai opisthen.)

TC-GNT καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου [fn]ὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη ὁμοία [fn]κρυστάλλῳ.
¶ Καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου [fn]τέσσαρα ζῷα γέμοντα ὀφθαλμῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν.
(kai enōpion tou thronou hōs thalassa hualinaʸ homoia krustallōi.
¶ Kai en mesōi tou thronou kai kuklōi tou thronou tessara zōia gemonta ofthalmōn emprosthen kai opisthen. )

4:6 ως 𝔐^A+,C,K [86.2%] ¦ — 𝔐^A− TR [13.8%]

4:6 κρυσταλλω 𝔐^A,C−,K [79.7%] ¦ κρυσταλω 𝔐^C+ PCK [19.4%]

4:6 τεσσαρα 𝔐^A,C,K [93.5%] ¦ τεσσερα WH [0.5%]

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–11: John saw the throne in heaven

In this section, John told more about the vision that he saw, using language similar to 1:10. In his vision he saw in the sky an opening into heaven. He could see God on his throne and different beings worshiping God.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The vision of the throne in heaven

A vision of God’s throne in heaven (GW)

4:6a

And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal.

Also in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, which was like a crystal.
Also something spread before the throne that resembled a sea made of/from glass. It was bright/sparkling/transparent like crystal.

was something like a sea of glass: This clause indicates that John saw something that was like a sea. A sea is a large body of water that is many kilometers wide. The sea that John saw may have been solid like glass or liquid like water. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there is something like a sea of glass (NRSV)

something resembling a sea of glass

something spread out like a sea of glass

a sea of glass: The sea could be made of glass. Or it could be made of something flat and shiny like water that is perfectly smooth. In that way it looked smooth and clear like glass.

as clear as crystal: The Greek words only indicate that the sea of glass was “like crystal” (as in the RSV). The comparison to crystal probably indicates that John could see through the sea in the way that someone can see through clear water. So the BSB and some other English versions add the word clear. But “as crystal” may instead refer to it being shiny or flat or angled (rather than rounded).

crystal: The Greek word that the BSB translates as crystal refers to various substances that are bright, shiny, and have flat surfaces. The Greek word probably refers only to crystals that let light shine through them. Salt and ice are crystals, but here it is probably crystals as hard or harder than stone that are implied. Quartz, diamonds, and sapphires are examples of hard crystals.

Here the focus is on the fact that crystals are shiny and let light shine through them.

In some languages people are not familiar with crystals. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Use the characteristics of crystals that are important here. For example:
bright/sparkling, flat, and clear
Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Crystals are hard substances that are see-through, shiny, and have flat surfaces.

4:6b

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,

¶ Surrounding the throne were four living beings,
¶ Four living creatures stood near the throne.

In the center: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as In the center is literally “in the middle/midst of the throne.” Since God is sitting on the throne, this phrase probably refers to the middle of the throne area. It indicates that the four living creatures were near or next to the throne of God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

In the center near the throne (GW)

Close to the throne

around the throne: The living creatures were around the throne, perhaps:

one at each corner,
two on the right side and two on the left side,
one in back and one in front and one on each side.

Use a general phrase like around the throne. This allows for one or more of the above meanings.

four living creatures: The Greek word that the BSB translates as living creatures is literally “living (ones).” They are beings like angels, cherubim (Ezekiel 1), or seraphim (Isaiah 6). In John’s vision, some of these beings look like various animals (4:7). However, they are able to speak and praise God (4:8). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

four living beings (NLT)

four living things/ones

4:6c

covered with eyes in front and back.

full of eyes in front and behind. (RSV)
They had eyes all over them, both in front and back.

covered with eyes in front and back: These creatures had eyes all over their whole bodies. Other ways to translate this clause are:

full of eyes in front and behind (RSV)

each covered with eyes, front and back (NLT)

with eyes all over them, in front and in back (NCV)

Parallel REV 4:6

Section 4:1–11: John saw the throne in heaven

4:6a

4:6b

4:6c