Sealed (xaterfpayiopévov). Only here in the New Testa. ment. The preposition card denotes sealed down. So Rev., close sealed. The roll is wound round a staff and fastened down to it with the seven seals. The unrolling of the parchment is nowhere indicated in the vision. Commentators have puzzled themselves to explain the arrangement of the seals, so as to ad- mit of the unrolling of a portion with the opening of each seal. Diisterdieck remarks that, with an incomparably more beauti- ful and powerful representation, the contents of the roll are successively symbolized by the vision which follows upon the opening of each seal. ‘The contents of the book leap forth in plastic symbols from the loosened seal.” Milligan explains the seven seals as one seal, comparing the seven churches and the seven spirits as signifying one church and one spirit, and doubts if the number seven has here any mystical meaning. Others, as Alford, claim that the completeness of the divine purposes is indicated by the perfect number seven.
2. Strong. Hither as being of higher rank, or with ref- erence to the great voice.
Worthy (aéws). Asin John i.27. Morally entitled. 3. Under the earth. In Hades.
To look (Grérev). See on John i. 29. To take a single look at the contents.
4. | wept (éAaov). Audible weeping. See on Luke vi. 21.
5. Of the elders (€« tay mpecButépwr). Strictly, from among the elders.
The Lion. See Gen. xlix. 9. The Root of David. See on WVazarene, Matt. ii. 23. Hath prevailed (évixncev). Or overcame.
To loose. Omit.