6. And lo! Omit.
In the midst of. Not on the throne, but perhaps in the space in the centre of which is the throne, and which is sur- rounded by the twenty-four elders. ey,
A Lamb (apviov). The diminutive, very frequent in the Apocalypse, and once in the Gospel of John (xxi. 15). No- where else in the New Testament. Compare Isa. lili. 7; John i. 29, 86. Christ had just been spoken of as a ion. He now appears as a lamb. Some interpreters emphasize the idea of gentleness, others that of sacrifice.
Slain (ée¢aypévov). The verb indicates violence, butchery. See on 1 John iii. 12. It is also the sacrificial word. Exod. xii. 6.
Stood (écrnxds). Rev., more correctly, standing. Though slaughtered the lamb stands. Christ, though slain, is risen and living.
Seven horns and seven eyes. See remarks on the Apo- calyptic imagery, ch. i. 16. The horn is the emblem of might. See 1 Sam. ii. 10; 1 Kings xxii. 11; Ps. exii. 9; Dan. vii. 7, 20 sqq.; Luke i.69. Compare Matt. xxviii. 18. The eyes rep- resent the discerning Spirit of God in its operation upon all created things.
Sent forth (dmecradpéva). See on Mark iii. 14.
1. Took (ctandev). Lit., hath taken. The perfect, alternat- ing with the aorist, is graphic.
8. Had taken (2dafev). Lit., took. The aorist is resumed.
Every one of them harps (&acros xiddpas). Rev., less clumsily, having each one a harp. Each one, that is, of the elders. Kv9dpa harp signifies an instrument unlike our harp as ordinarily constructed. Rather @ lute or guitar, to which latter word kéthara is etymologically related. Anciently of a