4:5 From15 the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring16 and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God,17 were burning in front of the throne
tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
16
tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v.φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
17
sn Some interpret the seven spirits of God as angelic beings, while others see them as a reference to the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit.