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Selected Verse: Revelation 14:2 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Re 14:2 |
King James |
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
from--Greek, "out of."
voice of many waters--as is the voice of Himself, such also is the voice of His people.
I heard the voice of harpers--A, B, C, and ORIGEN read, "the voice which I heard (was) as of harpers." |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And I heard a voice from heaven - Showing that the scene is laid in heaven, but that John in the vision was on the earth.
As the voice of many waters - As the sound of the ocean, or of a mighty cataract. That is, it was so loud that it could be heard from heaven to earth. No comparison could express this more sublimely than to say that it was like the roar of the ocean.
As the voice of a great thunder - As the loud sound of thunder.
And I heard the voice of harpers - In heaven: the song of redemption accompanied with strains of sweet instrumental music. For a description of the harp, see the notes on Isa 5:12.
Harping with their harps - Playing on their harps. This image gives new beauty to the description. Though the sound was loud and swelling, so loud that it could be heard on the earth, yet it was not mere shouting, or merely a tumultuous cry. "It was like the sweetness of symphonious harps." The music of heaven, though elevated and joyous, is sweet and harmonious; and perhaps one of the best representations of heaven on earth, is the effect produced on the soul by strains of sweet and solemn music. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
And I heard the voice of harpers (καὶ φωνὴν ἤκουσα κιθαρῳδῶν)
The correct reading is, καὶ ἡ φωνὴ ἣν ἤκουσα ὡς κιθαρῳδῶν and the voice which I heard (was) as (the voice) of harpers. Κιθαρῳδός is from κιθάρα a harp (see on Rev 5:8) and ᾠδός a singer. Properly, one who sings, accompanying himself on the harp. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
And I heard a sound out of heaven - Sounding clearer and clearer: first, at a distance, as the sound of many waters or thunders; and afterwards, being nearer, it was as of harpers harping on their harps. It sounded vocally and instrumentally at once. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The voice of many waters - That is, of multitudes of various nations.
The voice of harpers - Though the sounds were many and apparently confused, yet both harmony and melody were preserved. |
12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.