[B-Greek] Rev. 3:1 -- TA hEPTA PNEUMATA TOU QEOU
revelation
info at revelationjesuschrist.com
Mon Feb 2 01:48:12 EST 2004
>From Ted Shoemaker
Revelation 3:1 reads, in part:
TA hEPTA PNEUMATA TOU QEOU
"the seven spirits of God".
I have seen more than one English-language Bible with a
footnote that reads, "Or, the sevenfold Spirit of God."
It is easy to understand why, for theological purposes, one
might want the footnoted translation. Are there any
linguistic reasons for such a translation?
Hi Ted
The linguistic reason, in my opinion, is that the Seven Spirits of God are
title of God and a rhetorical device. I think each of the seven Spirits of
God is a messenger (an angel) to each of the seven cities. In Rev 3:1,
"The-one having the 7 Spirits" is "the one-who-conquers" (nikao), meaning
people in the assemblies, although many would argue that it is Jesus
(referring back to Rev 1:16).
God is referred to as a Spirit sixteen times in Revelation. The term "Seven
Spirits of God" appears four times in Revelation.
01:04 Grace to-you and Peace from "The Being" and "The Was" and "The Coming"
and from the Seven Spirits who-are in-view of his Throne.
02:07 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
02:11 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
02:17 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
02:29 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
03:01 Says The-One having the Seven Spirits of God and the Seven Stars.
03:06 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
03:13 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
03:22 The-One having an-Ear, Let-him-hear what The Spirit is-saying to-the
Assemblies.
04:05 and Seven Torches of Fire burning in-sight of-the Throne which are the
Seven Spirits of God.
05:06 a-Little-Lamb having-stood like having-been-slain, having Seven Horns
and Seven Eyes which are the Seven Spirits of God having-been-sent into all
the Earth.
11:11 And after the Three Days and a-Half a-Spirit of-Life out of God
entered in them
14:13 Yes! says The Spirit so-that they-will-rest out of their
Cutting-Slaughter for their Works follow with them.
19:10 For the Testimony of-Jesus is The Spirit of-Prophecy.
22:06 And The Lord, The God of-the Spirits ...
22:17 And The Spirit and The Bride (The New Jerusalem) say Come!
God is referred to as a Spirit many times in the Old Testament. The power of
God to replicate himself as Seven Spirits or Eyes that "go forth into the
Earth" as stated in Rev 5:6 (the last mention of the 7 Spirits) comes from
the Book of Zechariah ...
"This is The Word of the LORD to Zerub'babel ... Not by might, nor by
Power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts ... These Seven are the Eyes
of the LORD, which range through the whole earth" (Zech 4:6,10)
Daniel Gleason
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