Revelation 4:3 - Exposition

And he that sat was to look upon like , etc.; or, he that sat like in appearance ( δράσει ). The word ὅρασις is found in this verse and in two other places only in the New Testament, viz. in Acts 2:17 (where it is part of a quotation from Joel) and in Revelation 9:17 . In the latter place the expression is ἐν τῇ ὁράσει , and the presence of the preposition, together with the article, seems to justify the rendering "in the vision." In the Septuagint ὅρασις is frequently used to signify either "vision" or "appearance" (see 1 Samuel 3:1 ; Isaiah 1:1 ; Lamentations 2:9 ; Ezekiel 7:13 ; Daniel 1:17 and Daniel 8:1 ; Obadiah 1:1 ; Nahum 1:1 ; Habakkuk 2:2 ; and many others, where it is "vision." Also 13:6 ; Ezekiel 1:5 , Ezekiel 1:13 , Ezekiel 1:26-28 ; Daniel 8:15 ; Nahum 2:4 ; 1 Samuel 16:12 ; and many others, where it is "appearance"). In the classics, ὅραμα signifies a "vision;" ὅρασις , "sight," the power of seeing. A jasper and a sardine stone . The jasper was the last, and the sardius the first stone of the high priest's breastplate ( Exodus 28:17 ). The jasper was the first, and the sardius the sixth of the foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:19 , Revelation 21:20 ). Much doubt is attached to the whole subject of the precious stones of the Bible. The modern jasper is opaque, while it is evident that the jasper of the Revelation is remarkable for its translucent character (see Revelation 21:11 , "jasper stone. clear as crystal;" Revelation 21:18 , "The building of the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass"). It is evident that the stone was characterized by purity and brilliancy—features which seem to point it out as the modern diamond. The varying colour, which, according to some authorities, the jasper possessed, is not inconsistent with this view. It is curious, too, that in Exodus 28:18 , the Hebrew מלַהְיַ , which in the Authorized Version is rendered "diamond," is represented in the LXX . by ἴασπις ; while in Exodus 28:20 , הפֶשְׂיָ the English "jasper," is ὀνύχιον . The sardius was the carnelian, always red, though somewhat varying in shade. The name has been variously derived from

the term being thus an allusion to the semitransparent nature of the stone. The pure jasper, together with the red sardius, may fitly typify God's purity and mercy together with his justice and judgment. And there was a rainbow round about the throne. The Greek ἶρις , which is used here, is not found in the LXX .? where τόξον is invariably found, probably to avoid reference to a term which was so pre-eminently heathen. The rainbow is here, as always (see Genesis 9:12 , Genesis 9:13 ), a token of God's faithfulness in keeping his promises. It is, therefore, a fit sign of comfort to those persecuted Christians to whom, and for whose edification, this message was sent. In sight like unto an emerald. The σμάραγδος is our modern green emerald. It was highly valued in Roman times. It was one of the stones of the high priest's breastplate, and the fourth foundation of the heavenly Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:19 ). The description in this verse recalls Ezekiel 1:23 , "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain. so was the appearance of the brightness round about." Some have found a difficulty in the association of a rainbow with its varied colours, and the single green hue of the emerald. But of course it is the form only of the rainbow which is alluded to, not every quality which a rainbow may possess. A circular green appearance was seen round the throne, which perhaps may be described as a green halo. If the purity of the jasper (see above) be allowed to symbolize God's purity and spirituality, and the sardine, man clothed with flesh, the green emerald may fitly represent God's goodness displayed in nature.