Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
And there was an ocean, as crystal-clear as glass, in front of the throne. And at the center, surrounding the throne were four living beings, covered with eyes in the front and back of them. [Note: In view of Isa. 6:1-3 and especially Eze. 10:20ff, these "living beings" appear to be some special order of heavenly beings who inhabit the presence of God].
New American Standard Bible
and before the throne there was something like a
King James Version
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.
Holman Bible
Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures
International Standard Version
In front of the throne was something like a sea of glass as clear as crystal. In the center of the throne and on each side of the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
A Conservative Version
And before the throne was like a glassy sea similar to crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and all around the throne, were four beings containing eyes in front and back.
American Standard Version
and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like a crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Amplified
and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living
Anderson New Testament
And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Bible in Basic English
And before the high seat there was, as it seemed, a clear sea of glass; and in the middle of the high seat, and round about it, four beasts full of eyes round about.
Common New Testament
and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the center, around the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.
Daniel Mace New Testament
Before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and towards the throne, and round about the throne were four ANIMALS full of eyes before and behind.
Darby Translation
and before the throne, as a glass sea, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, four living creatures, full of eyes, before and behind;
Emphatic Diaglott Bible
And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the middle of the throne, in the circle about the throne, there were four living creatures, full of eyes, before and behind.
Godbey New Testament
and before the throne a glassy sea like crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, are four living creatures filled with eyes in front and in the rear.
Goodspeed New Testament
In front of the throne was what looked like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, in the middle of each side, were four animals covered with eyes in front and behind.
John Wesley New Testament
And before the throne is a sea as of glass, like crystal; and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind.
Julia Smith Translation
And before the throne a sea of glass like crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
King James 2000
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 living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.
Lexham Expanded Bible
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.
Modern King James verseion
And a sea of glass was in front of the throne, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And before the seat there was a sea of glass, like unto crystal, and in the midst of the seat, and round about the seat, were four beats full of eyes before and behind.
Moffatt New Testament
also in front of the throne there is like a sea of glass, resembling crystal. And on each side of the throne, all round it, four living Creatures full of eyes inside and outside;
Montgomery New Testament
And in front of the throne as it seemed, a glassy sea like crystal; and in the midst of the throne and encircling it are four Living Creatures, full of eyes before and behind.
NET Bible
and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. In the middle of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
New Heart English Bible
Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Noyes New Testament
and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass like to crystal; and in the middle before the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Sawyer New Testament
and before the throne was as it were a sea of glass like crystal; and in the midst of the throne and about the throne were four living ones [cherubs] full of eyes before and behind.
The Emphasized Bible
and, before the throne, is as a glassy sea, like unto crystal. And, in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, are four living creatures full of eyes, before and behind;
Thomas Haweis New Testament
And before the throne was a sea of glass like crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and within the circle of the throne, were four living beings full of eyes before and behind.
Twentieth Century New Testament
and in front of the throne is what seemed to be a sea of glass, 'resembling crystal, while within the space before the throne and round the throne are four Creatures full of eyes' in front and behind.
Webster
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like crystal: And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living beings full of eyes before and behind.
Weymouth New Testament
And in front of the throne there seemed to be a sea of glass, resembling crystal. And midway between the throne and the Elders, and surrounding the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.
Williams New Testament
Also in front of the throne there was something like a sea of glass as clear as crystal. Around the throne, at the middle of each side were four living creatures dotted with eyes in front and behind,
World English Bible
Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Worrell New Testament
and before the throne, as it were a glassy sea like crystal; and, in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.
Worsley New Testament
And before the throne was a sea of glass, like crystal: and in the middle of the throne, and the circle of it, were four animate beings full of eyes before and behind.
Youngs Literal Translation
and before the throne is a sea of glass like to crystal, and in the midst of the throne, and round the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind;
Themes
Sea » Symbolical » In john's apocalyptic vision
the Sea » Illustrative » (smooth as glass,) of the peace of heaven
Throne » Figurative » Anthropomorphic » Of Christ
Vision » Of john on the island of patmos » The four living creatures
Topics
Interlinear
Enopion
ἔμπροσθεν
Emprosthen
before, in sight, of, against, in the sight of, in the presence of, at
Usage: 27
References
American
Easton
Fausets
Hastings
Morish
Smith
Watsons
Word Count of 38 Translations in Revelation 4:6
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Heavenly Throne
5 And lightning flashes and [loud] sounds of rolling thunder came out of God's throne. And there were seven lighted torches burning in front of the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God [i.e., the Holy Spirit. See 1:4]. 6 And there was an ocean, as crystal-clear as glass, in front of the throne. And at the center, surrounding the throne were four living beings, covered with eyes in the front and back of them. [Note: In view of Isa. 6:1-3 and especially Eze. 10:20ff, these "living beings" appear to be some special order of heavenly beings who inhabit the presence of God]. 7 And the first being was like a lion, the second one was like a calf, the third one had the face of a man and the fourth one was like a flying eagle.
Phrases
Cross References
Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb, looking like it had been killed. He was standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living beings and the [twenty-four] elders. He has seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [i.e., the Holy Spirit. See 1:4], sent throughout the entire earth.
Revelation 15:2
And I saw what seemed to be an ocean of glass, mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast, his statue and the number of his name. They were standing beside [or, "on"] the ocean of glass and held harps [given to them] by God.
Revelation 7:11
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the [twenty-four] elders and the four living beings. And they fell down on their faces in front of the throne and worshiped God,
Revelation 14:3
And they [i.e., the 144,000] were singing a new song in front of God's throne, and in front of the four living beings and the [twenty-four] elders. No one could learn [to sing] this song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand [See 7:4,9] who had been purchased from the earth.
Revelation 15:7
And one of the four living beings gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
Revelation 19:4
Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who sits on His throne. They said, "May it be so, Hallelujah!"
Revelation 4:8-9
And each of the four living beings had six wings [and] were covered with eyes all around them and [even] within them. And day and night they never stop saying, [Note: Some translations have "singing" here and at other places below], "Holy, holy, holy [is] the Lord God Almighty, who was [in the past] and who is [in the present] and who will come [in the future]."
Revelation 5:14-1
And the four living beings said, "May it be so." And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb, who is at the center of the throne, will be their Shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 21:11
It had the splendor of God [shining from it], and was as brilliant as a very precious stone, as crystal-clear as jasper.
Revelation 21:18
The material for the city's wall was jasper, and the city [itself] was made of pure gold, as clear as glass.
Revelation 21:21
And the twelve gates were made of twelve pearls, with each gate being made of a single pearl. And the street of the city was made of pure gold, as transparent as glass.
Revelation 22:1
Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb,