^4:5From¹⁵ 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 ^4:6and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.¹⁸

In¹⁹ the middle of the throne²⁰ and around the throne were four living creatures²¹ full of eyes in front and in back.

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Footnotes

15 Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
16 Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. 1071 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 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.
18 This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See 571 κρύσταλλος.
19 Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
20 Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
21 On the meaning of ζῴον (zōon) 431 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6–9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5–7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:

NIVNew International Version (2011)

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne.

Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side.

NLTNew Living Translation

From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And from the throne came out lightnings and sounds and thunders, and seven torches of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 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.

KJV 1900King James Version

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 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.

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