Revelation 5
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 68 – AD 96 · Late apostolic age · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
14 verses · 413 words · ~2 min read · ~3 min listen
The Lamb Takes the Scroll
1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. 4And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.
5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.
8When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song:
The Lamb Exalted
11Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. 12In a loud voice they were saying:
13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
14And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Footnotes (3)
- a v6 Or the sevenfold Spirit
- b v10 Or they will reign over; WH they reign upon
- c v14 TR includes Him who lives for ever and ever.
Study notes on this chapter · 2
The scepter will not depart from Judah
Jacob's blessing on Judah says the scepter will not depart from him 'until Shiloh comes' (or 'until he comes to whom it belongs'), and that the nations will obey him. The Hebrew of this verse is notoriously hard. Revelation calls Jesus 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah'.
When: Genesis (traditionally c. 1800 BC); Davidic kingdom, c. 1000 BC; Revelation, c. AD 90s.
Ways people read this (4)
- Messianic: the verse foretells a ruler from Judah, fulfilled in David and ultimately in the Messiah (ancient Jewish targums and the church fathers).
- 'Shiloh' may be a place name, so the verse would mean Judah leads until the tribes gather at Shiloh.
- The phrase can be read 'until tribute comes to him', referring to David's dynasty and its dominion over the nations.
- The Septuagint reads 'until the things stored up for him come', which was read messianically.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
A kingdom of priests and a holy nation
At Sinai God calls Israel his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Peter applies this language to the church, both Jewish and Gentile believers, and Revelation says Christ has made his people a kingdom and priests.
When: Sinai (traditionally c. 1446 or c. 1250 BC); 1 Peter, c. AD 60–65; Revelation, c. AD 90s.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.