Revelation 8:1New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And when it opened the seventh seal, there was silence in the heaven about half an hour.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— And, as soon as he opened the seventh seal, there came to be silence in heaven, as it were half an hour.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And when he openeth the seventh seal, there came silence in the heaven about half-an-hour,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven, as it were for half an hour.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— And when he had opened the seuenth seale, there was silence in heauen about halfe an houre.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And when hee had opened the seuenth seale, there was silence in heauen about the space of halfe an houre.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— AND when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about the space of half an hour.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— AND when he had opened the Seventh Seal, silence was in heaven, as the dividing of an hour.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven, for about half an hour. |
And
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
when
3753 {3753} Primeὅτεhote{hot'-eh}
From G3739 and G5037; at which (thing) too, that is, when.
he had opened
455 {0455} Primeἀνοίγωanoigo{an-oy'-go}
From G0303 and οἴγω [[oigo]] (to open); to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications).
z5656 <5656> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 2319
the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
seventh
1442 {1442} Primeἕβδομοςhebdomos{heb'-dom-os}
Ordinal from G2033; seventh.
seal,
4973 {4973} Primeσφραγίςsphragis{sfrag-ece'}
Probably strengthened from G5420; a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively.
there was
1096 {1096} Primeγίνομαιginomai{ghin'-om-ahee}
A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be ('gen' -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become ( come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.).
z5633 <5633> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780) Voice - Middle Deponent (See G5788) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 260
silence
4602 {4602} Primeσιγήsige{see-gay'}
Apparently from σίζω [[sizo]] (to hiss, that is, hist or hush); silence.
in
1722 {1722} Primeἐνen{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); ' in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
heaven
3772 {3772} Primeοὐρανόςouranos{oo-ran-os'}
Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel ( Christianity).
about
x5613 (5613) Complementὡςhos{hoce}
Probably adverb of comparative from G3739; which how, that is, in that manner (very variously used as shown).
the space of
y5613 [5613] Standardὡςhos{hoce}
Probably adverb of comparative from G3739; which how, that is, in that manner (very variously used as shown).
half an hour.
2256 {2256} Primeἡμιώριονhemiorion{hay-mee-o'-ree-on}
From the base of G2255 and G5610; a half hour. |
Revelation 8:1
_ _ Revelation 8:1-13. Seventh seal. Preparation for the seven trumpets. The first four and the consequent plagues.
_ _ was — Greek, “came to pass”; “began to be.”
_ _ silence in heaven about ... half an hour — The last seal having been broken open, the book of God’s eternal plan of redemption is opened for the Lamb to read to the blessed ones in heaven. The half hour’s silence contrasts with the previous jubilant songs of the great multitude, taken up by the angels (Revelation 7:9-11). It is the solemn introduction to the employments and enjoyments of the eternal Sabbath-rest of the people of God, commencing with the Lamb’s reading the book heretofore sealed up, and which we cannot know till then. In Revelation 10:4, similarly at the eve of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, when the seven thunders uttered their voices, John is forbidden to write them. The seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19) winds up God’s vast plan of providence and grace in redemption, just as the seventh seal brings it to the same consummation. So also the seventh vial, Revelation 16:17. Not that the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven vials, though parallel, are repetitions. They each trace the course of divine action up to the grand consummation in which they all meet, under a different aspect. Thunders, lightnings, an earthquake, and voices close the seven thunders and the seven seals alike (compare Revelation 8:5, with Revelation 11:19). Compare at the seventh vial, the voices, thunders, lightnings, and earthquake, Revelation 16:18. The half-hour silence is the brief pause GIVEN TO JOHN between the preceding vision and the following one, implying, on the one hand, the solemn introduction to the eternal sabbatism which is to follow the seventh seal; and, on the other, the silence which continued during the incense-accompanied prayers which usher in the first of the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:3-5). In the Jewish temple, musical instruments and singing resounded during the whole time of the offering of the sacrifices, which formed the first part of the service. But at the offering of incense, solemn silence was kept (“My soul waiteth upon God,” Psalms 62:1; “is silent,” Margin; Psalms 65:1, Margin), the people praying secretly all the time. The half-hour stillness implies, too, the earnest adoring expectation with which the blessed spirits and the angels await the succeeding unfolding of God’s judgments. A short space is implied; for even an hour is so used (Revelation 17:12; Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:19). |
Revelation 8:1-6
_ _ In these verses we have the prelude to the sounding of the trumpets in several parts.
_ _ I. The opening of the last seal. This was to introduce a new set of prophetical iconisms and events; there is a continued chain of providence, one part linked to another (where one ends another begins), and, though they may differ in nature and in time, they all make up one wise, well-connected, uniform design in the hand of God.
_ _ II. A profound silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, which may be understood either, 1. Of the silence of peace, that for this time no complaints were sent up to the ear of the Lord God of sabaoth; all was quiet and well in the church, and therefore all silent in heaven, for whenever the church on earth cries, through oppression, that cry comes up to heaven and resounds there; or, 2. A silence of expectation; great things were upon the wheel of providence, and the church of God, both in heaven and earth, stood silent, as became them, to see what God was doing, according to that of Zechariah 2:13, Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord, for he has risen up out of his holy habitation. And elsewhere, Be still, and know that I am God.
_ _ III. The trumpets were delivered to the angels who were to sound them. Still the angels are employed as the wise and willing instruments of divine Providence, and they are furnished with all their materials and instructions from God our Saviour. As the angels of the churches are to sound the trumpet of the gospel, the angels of heaven are to sound the trumpet of Providence, and every one has his part given him.
_ _ IV. To prepare for this, another angel must first offer incense, Revelation 8:3. It is very probable that this other angel is the Lord Jesus, the high priest of the church, who is here described in his sacerdotal office, having a golden censer and much incense, a fulness of merit in his own glorious person, and this incense he was to offer up, with the prayers of all the saints, upon the golden altar of his divine nature. Observe, 1. All the saints are a praying people; none of the children of God are born dumb, a Spirit of grace is always a Spirit of adoption and supplication, teaching us to cry, Abba, Father. Psalms 32:6, For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee. 2. Times of danger should be praying times, and so should times of great expectation; both our fears and our hopes should put us upon prayer, and, where the interest of the church of God is deeply concerned, the hearts of the people of God in prayer should be greatly enlarged. 3. The prayers of the saints themselves stand in need of the incense and intercession of Christ to make them acceptable and effectual, and there is provision made by Christ for that purpose; he has his incense, his censer, and his altar; he is all himself to his people. 4. The prayers of the saints come up before God in a cloud of incense; no prayer, thus recommended, was ever denied audience or acceptance. 5. These prayers that were thus accepted in heaven produced great changes upon earth in return to them; the same angel that in his censer offered up the prayers of the saints in the same censer took of the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth, and this presently caused strange commotions, voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake; these were the answers God gave to the prayers of the saints, and tokens of his anger against the world and that he would do great things to avenge himself and his people of their enemies; and now, all things being thus prepared, the angels discharge their duty. |
Revelation 8:1
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven — Such a silence is mentioned but in this one place. It was uncommon, and highly observable: for praise is sounding in heaven day and night. In particular, immediately before this silence, all the angels, and before them the innumerable multitude, had been crying with a loud voice; and now all is still at once: there is an universal pause. Hereby the seventh seal is very remarkably distinguished from the six preceding. This silence before God shows that those who were round about him were expecting, with the deepest reverence, the great things which the Divine Majesty would farther open and order. Immediately after, the seven trumpets are heard, and a sound more august than ever. Silence is only a preparation: the grand point is, the sounding the trumpets to the praise of God. About half an hour — To St. John, in the vision, it might seem a common half hour. |
Revelation 8:1
And (1) when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
(1) He returns to the history of the seals of the book, which the Lamb opens. The seventh seal is the next sign, a precise commandment for the execution of the most severe judgment of God on this wicked world, and being understood by the seal, all things in heaven are silent, and in horror through admiration, until the command to act is given by God to the ministers of his wrath. So he moves to the third part which I spoke of before in (Revelation 6:1) which is the enacting of those evils with which God most justly determined to afflict the world. |
- And:
Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Revelation 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Revelation 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Revelation 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
|
- silence:
Job 4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image [was] before mine eyes, [there was] silence, and I heard a voice, [saying],
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalms 62:1 [[To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.]] Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation.
*marg.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
Zechariah 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
|
  |
|
|
